Chemical Characterization and Potential Mechanism of the Anti-Asthmatic Activity of a Subfraction from Schisandra chinensis Fruit Extract

Untargeted metabolomics reveals intervention effects of wine-processed Schisandra chinensis polysaccharide on Alzheimer's disease mice

Schisandra chinensis (Turcz.) Baill (SC) is a traditional sedative in China, with wide applications for treating various neurological disorders. Its polysaccharide component has been gaining increased attention for its potential in nerve protection. While raw SC is the primary focus of current research, its processed products are primarily utilized as clinical medicines. Notably, limited research exists on the mechanisms underlying the effects of wine-processed Schisandra chinensis polysaccharide (WSCP) in Alzheimer's Disease (AD). Therefore, this study seeks to assess the therapeutic impact of WSCP on AD mice and investigate the underlying mechanisms through biochemical and metabolomics analyses. The results demonstrate that WSCP exerts significant therapeutic effects on AD mice by enhancing learning and memory abilities, mitigating hippocampal neuronal damage, reducing abnormal amyloid-beta (Aβ) deposition, and attenuating hyperphosphorylation of Tau. Biochemical analysis revealed that WSCP can increase SOD content and decrease MDA, IL-6, and TNF-α content in AD mice. Furthermore, serum metabolomic results showed that WSCP intervention can reverse metabolic disorders in AD mice. 43 endogenous metabolites were identified as potential biomarkers for WSCP treatment of AD, and the major metabolic pathways were Ala, Glu and Asp metabolism, TCA cycle. Overall, these findings will provide a basis for further development of WSCP.

Analysis of Volatile Components in Dried Fruits and Branch Exudates of Schisandra chinensis with Different Fruit Colors Using GC-IMS Technology

To investigate the volatile components of Schisandra chinensis (Turcz.) Bail (commonly known as northern Schisandra) of different colors and to explore their similarities and differences, to identify the main flavor substances in the volatile components of the branch exudates of northern schisandra, and finally to establish a fingerprint map of the volatile components of the dried fruits and branch exudates of northern Schisandra of different colors, we used GC-IMS technology to analyze the volatile components of the dried fruits and branch exudates of three different colors of northern Schisandra and established a fingerprint spectra. The results showed that a total of 60 different volatile chemical components were identified in the branch exudates and dried fruits of Schisandra. The components of germplasm resources with different fruit colors were significantly different. The ion mobility spectrum and OPLS-DA results showed that white and yellow fruits were more similar compared to red fruits. The volatile components in dried fruits were significantly higher than those in branch exudates. After VIP (variable importance in projection) screening, 41 key volatile substances in dried fruits and 30 key volatile substances in branch exudates were obtained. After screening by odor activity value (OAV), there were 24 volatile components greater than 1 in both dried fruits and branch exudates. The most important contributing volatile substance was 3-methyl-butanal, and the most important contributing volatile substance in white fruit was (E)-2-hexenal.

Deciphering anti-benign prostatic hyperplasia potential of liangwanoside II based on metabolite profile characterization combined with targeted network pharmacology

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Metapanax delavayi (Franch.) J.Wen & Frodin (Araliaceae), known as "liang wang cha" in China, has been used to treat prostatitis as herbal tea in folk. Recent research suggested that aqueous extract of Metapanax delavayi leaf showed an advantage in anti-benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) activity, and liangwanoside II was the main component of the active fraction. However, the anti-BPH effect of liangwanosdie II remains to be revealed.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This study aims to decipher anti-benign prostatic hyperplasia potential of liangwanoside II.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The anti-BPH effect was evaluated by testosterone propionate-induced BPH rats after oral administration of liangwanoside II at the doses of 30, 60 and 120 mg/kg in vivo. Then, the metabolites of liangwanoside II in BPH rats in vivo were identified using ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole tandem time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF-MS). Finally, the targeted network pharmacology combined with experimental verification were explored for the mechanism elucidation.

RESULTS

Liangwanoside II exhibited an anti-BPH effect through reducing the weight of the prostate, prostate index and serum prostatic acid phosphatase level, and improving the prostate tissue morphology in BPH rats. Further, 16 metabolites of liangwanoside II in vivo were identified by UPLC-Q-TOF-MS analysis, in which the prototype compound and 4 metabolites, such as liangwanoside I and serratagenic acid could be absorbed in the plasma and then penetrate the blood-prostate barrier. Then, followed by the targeted network pharmacology and experimental verification, we found that liangwanoside II and its metabolites could jointly involve in the inhibition of the inflammation reaction and hormone imbalance, thus reducing oxidative stress damage, and restoring the balance between cell proliferation and apoptosis, which contributed to the anti-BPH effect of liangwanoside II.

CONCLUSION

The anti-BPH potential of liangwanoside II was revealed using metabolite profile characterization combined with targeted network pharmacology, providing new insight into the development and utilization of liangwanoside II.

Effects of diarylbutane lignans from Schisandra chinensis fruit on SARS-CoV-2 3CLpro and PLpro and their in vitro anti-inflammatory properties

BACKGROUND

Schisandra chinensis fruit is a well-known traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), whose extract has a potent inhibitory effect on the severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS‑CoV‑2) 3-chymotrypsin-like protease (3CL^pro) and papain-like protease (PL^pro).

PURPOSE

This work aims to find the active components from the fruit of S. chinensis against SARS‑CoV‑2 3CL^pro and PL^pro.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The chemical constituents of the fruit of S. chinensis were retrieved based on the electronic databases, such as Web of Science, PubMed, Medline Plus, and CNKI. Molecular docking was used to screen the active components against SARS‑CoV‑2 3CL^pro and PL^pro. Potential hit compounds were further evaluated by enzymatic activity assay. Furthermore, the anti-inflammatory activities of the active compounds were further explored using the phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA)-induced THP1 cells model.

RESULTS

In this work, we retrieved 75 components of S. chinensis fruit, including 62 dibenzocyclooctadiene-type lignans, 3 diarylbutane-type lignans, 2 tetrahydrofuran-type lignans, and 8 nortriterpenoids. Combining molecular docking study and in vitro experiments, we found that pregomisin (63), meso‑dihydroguaiaretic acid (64), and nordihydroguaiaretic acid (65) could potently inhibit 3CL^pro with IC₅₀ values of 3.07 ± 0.38, 4.12 ± 0.38, and 6.06 ± 0.62 μM, respectively, and inhibit PL^pro with IC₅₀ values of 5.23 ± 0.33, 4.24 ± 0.46, and 16.28 ± 0.54 μM, respectively. Interestingly, compounds 63, 64, and 65 also have potent activities of regulating the inflammatory response in vitro.

CONCLUSION

Our results suggest that compounds 63, 64, and 65 may be promising SARS-CoV-2 3CL^pro and PL^pro inhibitors and anti-inflammatory.

Exploring the active compounds and potential mechanism of the anti-nonalcoholic fatty liver disease activity of the fraction from Schisandra chinensis fruit extract based on multi-technology integrated network pharmacology

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Schisandra chinensis fruit is a well-known traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) that has been used to treat various liver diseases. Our previous study revealed that its extract is effective against nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).

AIM OF THIS STUDY

This study aimed to elucidate the active components and explore the underlying mechanisms of action of S. chinensis fruit in the treatment of NAFLD.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A HepG2 cell model was used to screen the anti-NAFLD activity of the fraction from S. chinensis fruit extract. Ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF/MS) was used to determine the components of the active fraction. Active compounds, potential targets, and key pathways were predicted for the active fraction treatment of NAFLD using network pharmacology. The anti-NAFLD effects of the active fraction and core active compound 3 were further validated using a high-fat diet (HFD)-induced NAFLD mouse model, intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test (IPGTT), and intraperitoneal insulin tolerance test (IPITT). Related hepatic mRNA expression was detected using quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) to preliminarily validate the mechanism.

RESULTS

In vitro experiments showed that the active fraction of S. chinensis fruit ethanol (EtOH) extract was mainly concentrated in the soluble fraction of petroleum ether (PET). Thirty-seven lignans were identified in this active fraction using UPLC-Q-TOF/MS. Network pharmacology studies have indicated that its anti-NAFLD effects lie in three major active lignans (3, 24, and 27) contained in PET, which may regulate the insulin resistance signaling pathway. In vivo experiments demonstrated that PET and core active compound 3 treatment significantly attenuated hepatic steatosis and reduced the levels of serum alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), insulin, malondialdehyde (MDA), hepatic triglyceride (TG), and total cholesterol (TC) in HFD-induced mice (P < 0.05). Moreover, treatment with PET and compound 3 alleviated glucose tolerance and insulin resistance. These beneficial effects can be achieved by regulating the expression of Pik3ca, Gsk3β, Jnk1, and Tnf-α.

CONCLUSION

This study identified the main active fraction and compounds responsible for the anti-NAFLD activity of S. chinensis fruit. This mechanism may be related to regulation of the resistance pathway.

Screening of Q-markers for the wine-steamed Schisandra chinensis decoction pieces in improving allergic asthma

BACKGROUND

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) posits that Chinese medicinal materials can only be clinically used after being processed and prepared into decoction pieces. Schisandra Chinensis Fructus (derived from the dried and mature fruits of Schisandra chinensis (Turcz.) Baill.) has been used as a traditional antiasthmatic, kidney strengthening, and hepatoprotective agent for 2000 years. The results of previous research show that decoction pieces of wine-steamed Schisandra chinensis (WSC) are more effective than raw decoction pieces of Schisandra chinensis (RSC) for treating cough and asthma. Steaming with wine was demonstrated to promote the dissolution of ingredients. However, the relationship between the changes in the components of the decoction pieces of WSC and the therapeutic effect remains unclear.

METHODS

The efficacies of decoctions of RSC and WSC were compared using allergic asthma rats. The potential bioactive components in the serum of the WSC treatment group and the changes in the chemical composition of the RSC decoction pieces before and after wine steaming were determined by ultra-performance liquid chromatography quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS) and ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC H-CLASS XEVO TQD) to speculate quality markers (Q-markers) related to the efficacy of WSC, which were subsequently verified based on a zebrafish inflammation model.

RESULTS

Steaming RSC decoction pieces with wine was found to promote improvement of allergic asthma. Reverse tracing of 22 components detected in the serum of the high dose group of WSC (WSC-H) resulted in 12 ingredients being finally designated as potential effective components. Among these ingredients, 5 components, Schisandrin, Schisandrol B, Schisandrin A, Schisandrin B, and Gomisin D, had higher dissolution rates than RSC after steaming with wine. Validation by an inflammatory zebrafish model showed that these 5 ingredients had a dose-dependent effect and were therefore Q-markers for WSC in the treatment of allergic asthma.

CONCLUSION

In this study, changes in the components of decoction pieces of RSC and WSC and Q-markers related to WSC efficacy were identified, providing valuable information for expanding the application of WSC and establishing a specific quality standard for WSC.

Anti-asthmatic fraction screening and mechanisms prediction of Schisandrae Sphenantherae Fructus based on a combined approach

Objective: Schisandrae Sphenantherae Fructus (SSF) is a traditional Chinese medicine used to treat coughs and pulmonary inflammatory diseases. However, the pharmacodynamic material basis and mechanisms for SSF in asthma treatment remain unclear. This study aims to screen the anti-asthmatic fraction and verify the pharmacodynamic material basis, predict the potential mechanism, and verify the interaction ability between compounds and core targets.

Methods: First, three fractions from SSF were compared in terms of composition, comparison, and anti-asthmatic effects. Then, the ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole/time-of-flight-mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q/TOF-MS/MS) strategy was used to identify the compounds from the active fraction, and the anti-asthmatic efficacy of the active fraction was further studied by the ovalbumin (OVA)-induced asthma murine model. Finally, network pharmacology and molecular methods were used to study the relationships between active compounds, core targets, and key pathways of PEF in asthma treatments.

Results: The petroleum ether fraction (PEF) of SSF showed better effects and could significantly diminish lung inflammation and mitigate the level of serum immunoglobulin E (IgE), interleukin (IL)-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-13, and IL-17 in mice. A total of 26 compounds from the PEF were identified, among which the main compounds are lignans and triterpenes. Moreover, 21 active compounds, 129 overlap-ping targets, and 10 pathways were screened by network pharmacology tools. The top five core targets may play a great role in asthma treatment. Gene Ontology (GO) analysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis suggested that the PEF can treat asthma by acting on multiple asthma pathological processes, including the IL-17 signaling pathway, T helper (Th) 17 cell differentiation, and the calcium signaling pathway. Molecular docking was performed to evaluate the interactions of the protein–ligand binding, and most docked complexes had a good binding ability.

Conclusion: The present results might contribute to exploring the active compounds with anti-asthmatic activity.