Comparison of two approaches of intestinal absorption by puerarin

Integration of Deep Learning and Sequential Metabolism to Rapidly Screen Dipeptidyl Peptidase (DPP)-IV Inhibitors from Gardenia jasminoides Ellis

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) possesses unique advantages in the management of blood glucose and lipids. However, there is still a significant gap in the exploration of its pharmacologically active components. Integrated strategies encompassing deep-learning prediction models and active validation based on absorbable ingredients can greatly improve the identification rate and screening efficiency in TCM. In this study, the affinity prediction of 11,549 compounds from the traditional Chinese medicine system's pharmacology database (TCMSP) with dipeptidyl peptidase-IV (DPP-IV) based on a deep-learning model was firstly conducted. With the results, Gardenia jasminoides Ellis (GJE), a food medicine with homologous properties, was selected as a model drug. The absorbed components of GJE were subsequently identified through in vivo intestinal perfusion and oral administration. As a result, a total of 38 prototypical absorbed components of GJE were identified. These components were analyzed to determine their absorption patterns after intestinal, hepatic, and systemic metabolism. Virtual docking and DPP-IV enzyme activity experiments were further conducted to validate the inhibitory effects and potential binding sites of the common constituents of deep learning and sequential metabolism. The results showed a significant DPP-IV inhibitory activity (IC50 53 ± 0.63 μg/mL) of the iridoid glycosides' potent fractions, which is a novel finding. Genipin 1-gentiobioside was screened as a promising new DPP-IV inhibitor in GJE. These findings highlight the potential of this innovative approach for the rapid screening of active ingredients in TCM and provide insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying the anti-diabetic activity of GJE.

Puerarin: a potential natural neuroprotective agent for neurological disorders

Puerarin is an isoflavone compound derived from Pueraria lobata in traditional Chinese medicine. Accumulating evidence has indicated that puerarin demonstrates multiple pharmacological effects and exhibits treatment potential for various neurological disorders. Based on the latest research progress on puerarin as a neuroprotective agent, its pharmacological activity, molecular mechanism, and therapeutic application were systematically reviewed with emphasis on pre-clinical studies. The related information was extracted and compiled from major scientific databases, including PubMed, ScienceDirect, SpringerLink, and Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure, using 'Puerarin', 'Neuroprotection', 'Apoptosis', 'Autophagy', 'Antioxidant', 'Mitochondria', 'Anti-inflammation' as keywords. This review complied with The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews criteria. Forty-three articles met established inclusion and exclusion criteria. Puerarin has shown neuroprotective effects against a variety of neurological disorders, including ischemic cerebrovascular disease, subarachnoid hemorrhage, epilepsy, cognitive disorders, traumatic brain injury, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, anxiety, depression, diabetic neuropathy, and neuroblastoma/glioblastoma. Puerarin demonstrates anti-apoptosis, proinflammatory mediator inhibitory, autophagy regulatory, anti-oxidative stress, mitochondria protection, Ca²⁺ influx inhibitory, and anti-neurodegenerative activities. Puerarin exerts noticeable neuroprotective effects on various models of neurological disorders in vivo (animal). This review will contribute to the development of puerarin as a novel clinical drug candidate for the treatment of neurological disorders. However, well-designed, high-quality, large-scale, multicenter randomized clinical studies are needed to determine the safety and clinical utility of puerarin in patients with neurological disorders.

Antioxidative Activity Evaluation of High Purity and Micronized Tartary Buckwheat Flavonoids Prepared by Antisolvent Recrystallization

Tartary buckwheat, a healthy food, is associated with a reduced risk of certain human chronic diseases. However, the bioactive component flavonoids in Tartary buckwheat have poor solubility and low absorption in vivo. To improve these points, 60.00% Tartary buckwheat total flavonoids (TFs) were obtained by ethanol refluxing method, which were purified and micronized by antisolvent recrystallization (ASR) using methanol as a solvent and deionized water as an antisolvent. By using High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) and electrospray ionized mass spectrometry (ESI-MS), the main flavonoid in pure flavonoids (PF) were rutin (RU), kaempferol-3-O-rutinoside (KA) and quercetin (QU); the content of TF is 99.81% after purification. It is more worthy of our attention that micronized flavonoids contribute more to antioxidant activity because of good solubility. These results provide a theoretical reference for the micronization of other flavonoids.

Integrated Strategy From In Vitro, In Situ, In Vivo to In Silico for Predicting Active Constituents and Exploring Molecular Mechanisms of Tongfengding Capsule for Treating Gout by Inhibiting Inflammatory Responses

The study of screening active constituents from traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is important for explicating the mechanism of action of TCM and further evaluating the safety and efficacy effectively. However, detecting and identifying the active constituents from complicated biological samples still remain a challenge. Here, a practical, quick, and novel integrated strategy from in vitro, in situ, in vivo to in silico for rapidly screening the active constituents was developed. Firstly, the chemical profile of TCM in vitro was identified using UPLC-Q Exactive-Orbitrap HRMS. Secondly, the in situ intestinal perfusion with venous sampling (IPVS) method was used to investigate the intestinal absorption components. Thirdly, after intragastric administration of the TCM extract, the in vivo absorbed prototype components were detected and identified. Finally, the target network pharmacology approach was applied to explore the potential targets and possible mechanisms of the absorbed components from TCM. The reliability and availability of this approach was demonstrated using Tongfengding capsule (TFDC) as an example of herbal medicine. A total of 141 compounds were detected and identified in TFDC, and among them, 64 components were absorbed into the plasma. Then, a total of 35 absorbed bioactive components and 50 related targets shared commonly by compounds and gout were integrated via target network pharmacology analysis. Ultimately, the effects of the absorbed components on metabolism pathways were verified by experiments. These results demonstrated that this original method may provide a practical tool for screening bioactive compounds from TCM treating particular diseases. Furthermore, it also can clarify the potential mechanism of action of TCM and rationalize the application of TFDC as an effective herbal therapy for gout.

Effect of co-administration of Acori Tatarinowii Rhizoma volatile oil on pharmacokinetic fate of xanthotoxol, oxypeucedanin hydrate, and byakangelicin from Angelicae Dahuricae Radix in rat

A combination of Angelicae Dahuricae Radix and Acori Tatarinowii Rhizoma has been widely used as the herb pair in traditional Chinese medicine to treat stroke, migraine, and epilepsy. However, the underlying synergistic mechanism of the herb pair remains unknown. This study was aimed at investigating the effects of Acori Tatarinowii Rhizoma volatile oil on the pharmacokinetic parameters of xanthotoxol, oxypeucedanin hydrate, and byakangelicin from Angelicae Dahuricae Radix in rat, and in vitro absorption behavior of the three compounds using rat everted gut sac, in situ single-pass intestinal perfusion, and Caco-2 cell monolayer models. The pharmacokinetic study exhibited clear changes in the key pharmacokinetic parameters of the three main coumarins through co-administering with Acori Tatarinowii Rhizoma volatile oil (50 mg/kg), the area under curve and the maximum plasma concentration of xanthotoxol increased 1.36 and 1.31 times; the area under curve, the maximum plasma concentration, mean residence time, half-life of elimination, and the time to reach peak concentration of oxypeucedanin hydrate increased by 1.35, 1.18, 1.24, 1.19 and 1.49 times, respectively; the area under curve, mean residence time, half-life of elimination, and time to reach peak concentration of byakangelicin climbed 1.29, 1.27, 1.37, and 1.28 times, respectively. The three coumarin components were absorbed well in the jejunum and ileum in the intestinal perfusion model, when co-administered with Acori Tatarinowii Rhizoma volatile oil (100 μg/mL). The in vivo and in vitro experiments showed good relevance and consistency. The results demonstrated that the three coumarin compounds from Angelicae Dahuricae Radix were absorbed through the active transportation, and Acori Tatarinowii Rhizoma volatile oil could promote the intestinal absorption and transport of these compounds by inhibiting P-glycoprotein (P-gp)-mediated efflux.

Exploring the compatibility mechanism of ShengDiHuang Decoction based on the in situ single-pass intestinal perfusion model

Affecting the absorption of active ingredients in the intestine serves as one of the important compatibility mechanisms of traditional Chinese medicine. The aim of this study was to investigate the compatibility mechanism of ShengDiHuang Decoction (SDHD) by using the single-pass intestinal perfusion in situ model. The major effective ingredients, catalpol, aucubin, acteoside, rehmannioside D, rehmannioside A, rhein, aloe emodin, emodin, chrysophanol, and physcion, were determined by HPLC. By analysing the effects of different concentrations, different pH, intestinal segments, protein inhibitors, and tight junction regulators on SDHD absorption, it was found that catalpol, aucubin, rehmannioside D, rehmannioside A, acteoside, rhein, and chrysophanol may undergo active transport, while aloe-emodin and emodin may undergo passive transport. Catalpol, aucubin, and rehmannioside D may be substrates of BCRP and MRP2, while rehmannioside A and rhein may be substrates of BCRP, and acteoside and chrysophanol may be substrates of P-gp, BCRP and MRP2. By comparing the P_app values of the major effective ingredients between single herb and herb-pairs, the compatibility of rehmannia and rheum could significantly promote the absorption of components in rehmannia. It is verified that rheum has a synergistic effect on the absorption of rehmannia in SDHD.

The intestinal absorption properties of flavonoids in Hippophaë rhamnoides extracts by an in situ single-pass intestinal perfusion model

The purpose of this study was to investigate the absorption properties of isorhamnetin (IS), quercetin (QU), and kaempferol (KA) in total flavones of Hippophaë rhamnoides L. (TFH) by an in situ single-pass intestinal perfusion model. The results indicated that IS, QU, and KA in TFH were absorbed site-dependently, and both enterohepatic circulation and intestinal flora could participate in their absorption processes. The absorption mechanisms of IS, QU, and KA in TFH were involved in both passive diffusion and active transport, and the mediation of efflux transporter multidrug resistance-associated proteins (MRPs) should not be neglected.

Intestinal transport of HDND-7, a novel hesperetin derivative, in in vitro MDCK cell and in situ single-pass intestinal perfusion models

1. Hesperetin (HDND) possesses extensive bioactivities, however, its poor solubility and low bioavailability limit its application. HDND-7, a derivative of HDND, has better solubility and high bioavailability. In this study, we investigated the intestinal absorption mechanisms of HDND-7. 2. MDCK cells were used to examine the transport mechanisms of HDND-7 in vitro, and a rat in situ intestinal perfusion model was used to characterize the absorption of HDND-7. The concentration of HDND-7 was determined by HPLC. 3. In MDCK cells, HDND-7 was effectively absorbed in a concentration-dependent manner in both directions. Moreover, HDND-7 showed pH-dependent and TEER-independent transport in both directions. The transport of HDND-7 was significantly reduced at 4 °C or in the presence of NaN3. Furthermore, the efflux of HDND-7 was apparently reduced in the presence of MRP2 inhibitors MK-571 or probenecid. However, P-gp inhibitor verapamil had no effect on the transport of HDND-7. The in situ intestinal perfusion study indicated HDND-7 was well-absorbed in four intestinal segments. Furthermore, MRP2 inhibitors may slightly increase the absorption of HDND-7 in jejunum. 4. In summary, all results indicated that HDND-7 might be absorbed mainly by passive diffusion via transcellular pathway, MRP2 but P-gp may participate in the efflux of HDND-7.

Developments in Methods for Measuring the Intestinal Absorption of Nanoparticle-Bound Drugs

With the rapid development of nanotechnology, novel drug delivery systems comprising orally administered nanoparticles (NPs) have been paid increasing attention in recent years. The bioavailability of orally administered drugs has significant influence on drug efficacy and therapeutic dosage, and it is therefore imperative that the intestinal absorption of oral NPs be investigated. This review examines the various literature on the oral absorption of polymeric NPs, and provides an overview of the intestinal absorption models that have been developed for the study of oral nanoparticles. Three major categories of models including a total of eight measurement methods are described in detail (in vitro: dialysis bag, rat gut sac, Ussing chamber, cell culture model; in situ: intestinal perfusion, intestinal loops, intestinal vascular cannulation; in vivo: the blood/urine drug concentration method), and the advantages and disadvantages of each method are contrasted and elucidated. In general, in vitro and in situ methods are relatively convenient but lack accuracy, while the in vivo method is troublesome but can provide a true reflection of drug absorption in vivo. This review summarizes the development of intestinal absorption experiments in recent years and provides a reference for the systematic study of the intestinal absorption of nanoparticle-bound drugs.

Effect of puerarin on human choriocarcinoma cells

OBJECTIVE

To discuss the effect of puerarin on human choriocarcinoma cells.

METHODS

Survival rates under puerarin monotherapy, fluorouracil (5-FU) monotherapy and puerarin in combination with 5-FU were detected by MTT assay. Apoptotic morphology was observed with Hoechst 33258 staining. Apoptosis rates were detected with flow cytometry. Expressions of AKT, mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR), and P70S6K mRNAs and phosphorylated proteins were detected by RT-PCR and Western blot. Tumor-bearing mice were administered puerarin and puerarin+5-FU, and serum levels of β-human chorionic gonadotropin (β-HCG) were measured.

RESULTS

Proliferation inhibition and apoptosis rates of JEG-3 cells were positively correlated with puerarin concentration, which increased in the puerarin+5-FU group. Expression levels of AKT, mTOR, P70S6K mRNAs, and phosphorylated proteins decreased significantly after action of puerarin at different concentrations. With increasing puerarin concentration, expression of cleaved-caspase-3 in JEG-3 cells increased, whereas that of Bcl-2 decreased. Puerarin significantly inhibited tumor growth in choriocarcinoma-bearing SCID mice. Serum β-HCG levels were significantly lower than those of control group after administration. Magnitude of β-HCG decline was positively correlated with concentration..

CONCLUSION

Puerarin+5-FU inhibited proliferation of JEG-3 choriocarcinoma cells and promoted their apoptosis, being associated with the mTOR signaling pathway.