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Zhang Z, Zheng Y, Zhang B, Wang R, Chen L, Wang Y, Feng W, Zheng X, Li K, Zhou N. Untargeted serum and gastric metabolomics and network pharmacology analysis reveal the superior efficacy of zingiberis rhizoma recens-/euodiae fructus-processed Coptidis Rhizoma on gastric ulcer rats. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2024; 332:118376. [PMID: 38782310 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2024.118376] [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: 03/19/2024] [Revised: 05/08/2024] [Accepted: 05/20/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Zingiberis rhizoma recens-/wine-/euodiae fructus-processed Coptidis Rhizoma (CR, zCR/wCR/eCR) are the commonly used processed products of CR in clinic. After being processed with different excipients, the efficacy of CR will change accordingly. I.e., wCR could resolve excessive heat of the upper energizer, zCR could eliminate gastric heat and harmonize the stomach, eCR could smooth the liver and harmonize the stomach. However, the underlying mechanisms were still unclear. AIM OF THE STUDY To further verify the differential efficacy of the three processed CR products and compare the mechanisms on gastric ulcer. MATERIAL AND METHODS First, a GU model, whose onset is closely related to the heat in stomach and the disharmony between liver and stomach, was established, and the therapeutic effects of zCR/wCR/eCR/CR were evaluated by pathologic observation and measurement of cytokine levels. Second, metabolomics analysis and network pharmacology were conducted to reveal the differential intervening mechanism of zCR/eCR on GU. Third, the predicted mechanisms from metabolomics analysis and network pharmacology were validated using western blotting, flow cytometry and immunofluorescence. RESULTS zCR/wCR/eCR/CR could alleviate the pathologic damage to varying degrees. In metabolomics research, fewer metabolic pathways were enriched in serum samples, and most of them were also present in the results of gastric tissue samples. The gastroprotective, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-apoptotic effects of zCR/wCR/eCR/CR might be due to their interference on histidine, arachidonic acid, and glycerophospholipids metabolism. Quantitative results indicated that zCR/eCR had a better therapeutic effect than wCR/CR in treating GU. A comprehensive analysis of metabolomics and network pharmacology revealed that zCR and eCR exerted anti-GU effects via intervening in five core targets, including AKT, TNF, IL6, IL1B and PPARG. In the validation experiment, zCR/eCR could significantly reverse the abnormal expression of proteins related to apoptosis, inflammation, oxidative stress, gastric function, as well as the PI3K/AKT signaling pathways. CONCLUSION zCR and eCR could offer gastroprotective benefits by resisting inflammation and apoptosis, inhibiting gastric-acid secretion, as well as strengthening gastric mucosal defense and antioxidant capacity. Integrating network pharmacology and metabolomics analysis could reveal the acting mechanism of drugs and promote the development of medications to counteract GU.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenkai Zhang
- Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, 450046, PR China
| | - Yajuan Zheng
- Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, 450046, PR China
| | - Bingxian Zhang
- Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, 450046, PR China
| | - Ruifeng Wang
- Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, 450046, PR China
| | - Long Chen
- Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, 450046, PR China; Collaborative Innovation Center of Research and Development on the Whole Industry Chain of Yu-Yao, Henan Province, Zhengzhou, 450046, PR China
| | - Yongxiang Wang
- Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, 450046, PR China
| | - Weisheng Feng
- Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, 450046, PR China; Co-construction Collaborative Innovation Center for Chinese Medicine and Respiratory Diseases By Henan & Education Ministry of PR China, Zhengzhou, 450046, PR China; The Engineering and Technology Center for Chinese Medicine Development of Henan Province, Zhengzhou, 450046, PR China.
| | - Xiaoke Zheng
- Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, 450046, PR China; Co-construction Collaborative Innovation Center for Chinese Medicine and Respiratory Diseases By Henan & Education Ministry of PR China, Zhengzhou, 450046, PR China; The Engineering and Technology Center for Chinese Medicine Development of Henan Province, Zhengzhou, 450046, PR China.
| | - Kai Li
- Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, 450046, PR China; Collaborative Innovation Center of Research and Development on the Whole Industry Chain of Yu-Yao, Henan Province, Zhengzhou, 450046, PR China.
| | - Ning Zhou
- Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, 450046, PR China; Collaborative Innovation Center of Research and Development on the Whole Industry Chain of Yu-Yao, Henan Province, Zhengzhou, 450046, PR China; Co-construction Collaborative Innovation Center for Chinese Medicine and Respiratory Diseases By Henan & Education Ministry of PR China, Zhengzhou, 450046, PR China.
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Song S, Qiu R, Huang Y, Zhou Z, Yan J, Ou Q, Wei D, He J, Liang Y, Du X, Yao W, Lu T. Study on the mechanism of hepatotoxicity of Aucklandiae radix through liver metabolomics and network pharmacology. Toxicol Res (Camb) 2024; 13:tfae123. [PMID: 39119266 PMCID: PMC11303830 DOI: 10.1093/toxres/tfae123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2024] [Revised: 07/15/2024] [Accepted: 08/02/2024] [Indexed: 08/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Aucklandiae Radix (CAR) and its roasted processed products (PAR) are extensively used in various Chinese patent medicines due to their diverse pharmacological activities. However, numerous side effects of CAR have been reported and the hepatotoxicity and the corresponding mechanisms have not been thoroughly investigated. Our study aims to explore the underlying mechanism of the hepatotoxic impacts of CAR. Methods In this study, metabolomic analysis was performed using liver tissue from the mice administered with different dosages of CAR/PAR extracts to examine the hepatotoxic impacts of CAR and elucidate the underlying mechanism. Network pharmacology was employed to predict the potential molecular targets and associated signaling pathways based on the distinctive compounds between CAR and PAR. A composition-target-GO-Bio process-metabolic pathway network was constructed by integrating the hepatotoxicity-related metabolic pathways. Finally, the target proteins related with the hepatotoxic effect of CAR were identified and validated in vivo. Results The metabolomics analysis revealed that 33 related metabolic pathways were significantly altered in the high-dose CAR group, four of which were associated with the hepatotoxicity and could be alleviated by PAR. The network identified NQO1 as the primary target of the hepatotoxic effect induced by CAR exposure, which was subsequently verified by Western Blotting. Further evidence in vivo demonstrated that Nrf2 and HO-1, closely related to NQO1, were also the main targets through which CAR induced the liver injury, and that oxidative stress should be the primary mechanism for the CAR-induced hepatotoxicity. Conclusions This preliminary study on the hepatic toxic injury of CAR provides a theoretical basis for the rational and safe use of CAR rationally and safely in clinical settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shen Song
- School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Xianlin Road 138, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Rongli Qiu
- School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Xianlin Road 138, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Yan Huang
- School of Medicine & Holistic Integrative Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Xianlin Road 138, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Zhuxiu Zhou
- School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Xianlin Road 138, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Jin Yan
- School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Xianlin Road 138, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Qiaochan Ou
- School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Xianlin Road 138, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Donghui Wei
- School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Xianlin Road 138, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Jingxuan He
- School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Xianlin Road 138, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Yi Liang
- School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Xianlin Road 138, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Xingyue Du
- School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Xianlin Road 138, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Weifeng Yao
- School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Xianlin Road 138, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Tulin Lu
- School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Xianlin Road 138, Nanjing 210023, China
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Chen C, Dai W, Qin Y, Yuan C, Chen J, Zhang M. The protective effects and potential mechanisms of fulvic acid against ethanol-induced gastric mucosal injury in mice. Nat Prod Res 2024:1-6. [PMID: 38824682 DOI: 10.1080/14786419.2024.2360679] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2024] [Accepted: 05/21/2024] [Indexed: 06/04/2024]
Abstract
Fulvic acid (FA) is a kind of natural organic acids extracted from lignite, which is the active ingredient in Wujin oral liquid, a proprietary Chinese medicine used to treat gastric and duodenal ulcers. However, our understanding of the mechanisms of FA remains limited. Currently, the protection of FA and its mechanism were explored using the ethanol-induced gastric mucosal injury mouse model. The histopathological examinations showed FAs at three doses effectively reduced gastric congestion, oedema caused by ethanol, and prevented gastric epithelial cell fall-off. When compared to the model group, FAs reduced IL-1β and IL-6 levels in serum, as well as IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, and COX-2 expression levels in tissue. Furthermore, FAs significantly inhibited p65, P38 MAPK, and Erk1/2 phosphorylation in damaged gastric tissue. It was indicated FA has good protection against ethanol-induced gastric mucosa injuries in mice and this effect was related to NF-κB and MAPK signalling pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chonglian Chen
- Center for Pharmaceutical Sciences and Engineering, Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, China
| | - Weifeng Dai
- Center for Pharmaceutical Sciences and Engineering, Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, China
| | - Yi Qin
- Center for Pharmaceutical Sciences and Engineering, Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, China
| | - Cheng Yuan
- Center for Pharmaceutical Sciences and Engineering, Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, China
| | - Jie Chen
- The Third People's Hospital of Kunming, Kunming, China
| | - Mi Zhang
- Center for Pharmaceutical Sciences and Engineering, Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, China
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Gong H, Zhao N, Zhu C, Luo L, Liu S. Treatment of gastric ulcer, traditional Chinese medicine may be a better choice. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2024; 324:117793. [PMID: 38278376 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2024.117793] [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: 11/03/2023] [Revised: 12/30/2023] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 01/28/2024]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Gastric ulcer (GU) is the injury of the gastric mucosa caused by the stimulation of various pathogenic factors penetrating the deep mucosal muscle layer. An increasing number of studies have shown that traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is highly effective in treating GU due to its multitarget, multilevel, and multi-pathway effects. AIM OF THE STUDY To review the latest research progress in the treatment of GU by TCM, including clinical and experimental studies, focusing on the target and mechanism of action of drugs and providing a theoretical basis for the treatment of GU by natural herbs. MATERIALS AND METHODS Electronic databases (PubMed, Elsevier, Springer, Web of Science, and CNKI) were searched using the keywords "gastric ulcer", "gastric mucosal lesion", "TCM" and or paired with "peptic ulcer" and "natural drugs" for studies published in the last fifteen years until 2023. RESULTS TCM, including single components of natural products, Chinese patent medicines (CPM), and TCM decoction, is expected to treat GU by regulating various mechanisms, such as redox balance, inflammatory factors, angiogenesis, gastric mucosal protective factors, intestinal flora, apoptosis, and autophagy. CONCLUSIONS We discussed and summarized the mechanism of TCM in the treatment of GU, which provided a sufficient basis for TCM treatment of GU.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haiying Gong
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China; Department of Gastroenterology, Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Ning Zhao
- Wuxi School of Medicine, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China
| | - Conglei Zhu
- Department of Pharmacy, Fuyang People's Hospital, Fuyang, Anhui, China
| | - Lin Luo
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Beijing Key Laboratory of Neural Regeneration and Repair, Advanced Innovation Center for Human Brain Protection, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Sen Liu
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Beijing Key Laboratory of Neural Regeneration and Repair, Advanced Innovation Center for Human Brain Protection, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.
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