Pien Tze Huang protects the liver against carbon tetrachloride-induced damage

Intragastric administration of Pien Tze Huang enhanced wound healing in diabetes by inhibiting inflammation and improving energy generation

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

As a complex and challenging complication for the patients with diabetes mellitus, diabetic ulcers are difficult to heal and current strategies cannot fulfill the patients' requirements. Pien Tze Huang (PZH) is a standardized medicine approved for various wounds treatments, and this study systematically investigated the effect and mechanism of intragastric administration of PZH (I-PZH) on diabetic wound healing.

METHODS AND RESULTS

The effect of I-PZH on the healing of full-thickness wounds in rats with diabetes mellitus which was induced by high fat diet followed by streptozotocin injection was evaluated, and RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) and targeted central carbon metabolism metabolomics were combined to explore the underlying mechanism. I-PZH promoted wound healing, facilitated extracellular matrix synthesis, and maintained body weight of rats, but did not affect fasting blood glucose levels. Additionally, I-PZH significantly decreased 8-OHdG, cleaved caspase 3 and MMP9 levels, and increased TGF-β1 expression. RNA-seq analysis showed that I-PZH inhibited inflammation and that the vital common targets were TLR2, IL-17A and IL-1β; specifically affected "energy derivation by oxidation of organic compounds" with UQCRC1, NDUFS3 and SDHA as vital specific targets. Further experiments confirmed that I-PZH reduced TLR2, IL-17A and IL-1β, increased UQCRC1, SDHA, NDUFS3, promoted ATP synthesis and restored activity of mitochondrial respiratory chain complexes I and III in diabetic wounds. Metabolomics by HPLC-MS/MS analysis showed that I-PZH reversed multiple energy metabolism-related metabolites such as glucuronic acid, GMP, d-gluconic acid, cis-aconitic acid, ribose 5-phosphate and pantothenate.

CONCLUSION

This study highlights the important role of inflammation and energy generation in diabetic wound healing, reveals wound repair mechanism of PZH and promotes its clinical application in diabetic wound treatment.

A, Venkidasamy B, Cespedes-Acuna CL, Nile SH, Yan G, Zheng H. Pien-Tze-Huang alleviates CCl4-induced liver fibrosis through the inhibition of HSC autophagy and the TGF-β1/Smad2 pathway

Ethnopharmacological relevance: Pien-Tze-Huang (PZH)—a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) compound—has been employed to treat various liver inflammation and tumors for over 10 decades. Interestingly, most of the pharmacological effects had been validated and explored toward liver ailment along with pro-inflammatory conditions and cancer at the cellular and molecular level to date.

Aim of the study: The present study aimed to investigate the therapeutic effect of PZH on autophagy and TGF-β1 signaling pathways in rats with liver fibrosis and hepatic stellate cell line (HSC).

Materials and methods: Male SD rats with carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced liver fibrosis were used as the animal model. Next, PZH treatment was given for 8 weeks. Afterward, the therapeutic effects of PZH were analyzed through a hepatic tissue structure by hematoxylin-eosin (H&E), Van Gieson (VG) staining, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), activity of ALT and AST by enzyme-associated immunosorbent assay as well. Subsequently, mRNA and protein expression were examined by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), Western blotting, and immunohistochemistry (IHC). Then, the cell vitality of PZH-treated HSC and the expression of key molecules prevailing to autophagy were studied in vitro. Meanwhile, SM16 (a novel small molecular inhibitor which inhibits TGFβ-induced Smad2 phosphorylation) was employed to confirm PZH’s effects on the proliferation and autophagy of HSC.

Results: PZH pharmacologically exerted anti-hepatic fibrosis effects as demonstrated by protecting hepatocytes and improving hepatic function. The results revealed the reduced production of extracellular collagen by adjusting the balance of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) 2, MMP9, and tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase 1 (TIMP1) in PZH-treated CCl4-induced liver fibrosis. Interestingly, PZH inhibited the activation of HSC by down-regulating TGF-β1 and phosphorylating Smad2. Furthermore, PZH down-regulated yeast Atg6 (Beclin-1) and microtubule-associated protein light chain 3 (LC3) toward suppressing HSC autophagy, and PZH exhibited similar effects to that of SM16.

Conclusion: To conclude, PZH alleviated CCl4-induced liver fibrosis to reduce the production of extracellular collagen and inhibiting the activation of HSC. In addition, their pharmacological mechanisms related to autophagy and TGF-β1/Smad2 signaling pathways were revealed for the first time.

The anti-inflammatory effect of Pien Tze Huang in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common liver disease that may progress to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), hepatic tissue fibrosis, liver cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. In this study, we investigated the effects of Pien Tze Huang (PTH), a well-known traditional Chinese herbal formula with liver protective effect, in methionine-choline deficient diet (MCD)- and high-fat diet (HFD)-induced NASH mouse models. Our results showed that PTH could exert hepatoprotective effects by improving liver weight and steatosis and reducing the fibrosis and serum levels of alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate transaminase (AST) in both animal models. The effects of PTH was accompanied with the reduction of infiltrated macrophages, the inhibition of the expression of cytokines, and the induction of adiponectin expression. Mechanistically, we found that PTH could inhibit the activation of proinflammatory transcription factor nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) by preventing the degradation of inhibitor of κBα (IκBα). These results demonstrate that PTH can improve NAFLD largely due to its suppression of the NF-κB inflammatory pathway.

Comparative Review on Effects of Pien Tze Huang and AnGong NiuHuang Pill and their Potential on Treatment of Central Nervous System Diseases

Abstract:

The ancient composite formulae Angong Niuhuang pill and Pien Tze Huang that were used a few hundred years ago to treat febrile disease and inflammation respectively are found to exert effects benefiting other neurological diseases and conditions. This short review introduces the main constituents of the two formulae, looking into both the cumulative synergetic and possible individual effects of each herb or animal apcoien. In essence, the main effects of Angong Niuhuang pill include antiinflammation, antioxidation, anti-cell death, anticonvulsion, antiedema, antipyretic, antithrombotic, antimicrobial (bacteria, viruses, fungi), neuroprotective effects, and cardiovascular protection. The main effects of Pien Tze Huang include antiinflammation, antioxidation, anti-cell death, antithrombotic, antimicrobial, neuroprotective effects, and cardiovascular protection. Comparing both composites, similarities of the effects and part of the components are found, showing some pharmacological evidence. This review casts light on research on the effects of neuroprotective and cardiovascular protective mechanisms as well as treatment mechanisms for cerebral accidents in the integrative medicine perspective.

Reaction of the Liver upon Long-Term Treatment of Fluoxetine and Atorvastatin Compared with Alcohol in a Mouse Model

Background

Alcoholism is known to cause liver toxicity and is extensively researched. On the other hand, stress, depression, and obesity are interrelated conditions with alcoholism, and their medications would affect the liver itself. In this study, we investigated the effects of the drugs fluoxetine and atorvastatin on the liver and compared with those of alcohol in a mouse model.

Methods

Comparisons of animals treated with the three drugs were carried out: serum aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), and albumin were measured; liver tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha) and transforming growth factor beta (TGF beta-1) levels were evaluated; proliferative cells were detected via immunohistochemistry (IHC) targeting on proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and minichromosome maintenance complex component 2 (MCM2); for apoptosis, IHC targeting on activated caspase-3 and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) were employed; and histopathology was also documented in all groups.

Results

For ALT, AST, albumin, and liver TNF alpha, only the ethanol group surged to significantly higher levels. For TGF beta-1, both ethanol and atorvastatin groups reached a significantly higher level. PCNA and MCM2 showed increased proliferation in the livers of all three groups, with the ethanol group having the highest number of positive cells followed by atorvastatin and then the fluoxetine group. As for cell death, both ethanol and fluoxetine groups showed significantly more apoptosis than control in TUNEL and activated caspase-3, while in the atorvastatin group, activated caspase-3 positive cells increased significantly, but the increase in TUNEL-positive cells did not reach statistical significance.

Pien Tze Huang (PZH) as a Multifunction Medicinal Agent in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM): a review on cellular, molecular and physiological mechanisms

RELEVANCE

Pien Tze Huang (PZH) is a well-known Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), characterized by a multitude of pharmacological effects, such as hepatoprotection and inhibition of inflammation and cell proliferative conditions. Many of these effects have been validated at the cellular, molecular and physiological levels but, to date, most of these findings have not been comprehensively disclosed.

OBJECTIVES

This review aims to provide a critical summary of recent studies focusing on PZH and its multiple pharmacological effects. As a result, we further discuss some novel perspectives related to PZH's mechanisms of action and a holistic view of its therapeutic activities.

METHODS

A systematic review was performed focusing on PZH studies originated from original scientific resources. The scientific literature retrieved for this work was obtained from International repositories including NCBI/PubMed, Web of Science, Science Direct and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) databases.

RESULTS

The major active componentes and their potential functions, including hepatoprotective and neuroprotective effects, as well as anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory activities, were summarized and categorized accordingly. As indicated, most of the pharmacological effects were validated in vitro and in vivo. The identification of complex bioactive components in PZH may provide the basis for further therapeutic initiatives.

CONCLUSION

Here we have collectively discussed the recent evidences covering most, if not all, pharmacological effects driven by PZH. This review provides novel perspectives on understanding the modes of action and the holistic view of TCM. The rational development of future clinical trials will certainly provide evidence-based medical evidences that will also confirm the therapeutic advantages of PZH, based on the current information available.

Pien Tze Huang accelerated wound healing by inhibition of abnormal fibroblast apoptosis in Streptozotocin induced diabetic mice

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Diabetic foot ulcer is one of the most serious complications of diabetes. Effective medical treatment regarding improvement of ulcer healing in patients is essential. Pien Tze Huang (PZH), a valuable Chinese traditional medicine, has been found significant efficacy on the curing of diabetic wound in clinic recently.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This work was conducted to confirm the efficacy, and compare the therapeutic effect through the oral administration and local delivery route, providing a rationale for the new PZH form development; besides, the mechanisms through which PZH promoted the wound healing was also discussed.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

First, the chemical composition of PZH was characterized by ¹H-NMR and HPLC. The anti-apoptosis effects of PZH on high concentration glucose injured epidermal fibroblast (HFF-1) was investigated in a dose dependent way. Then, the effects of the systematical administration of PZH, and the topical used route on excisional wounds of Streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetic mice were compared.

RESULTS

The results illustrated that PZH decreased the reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels in cells, preventing cell damage/apoptosis through an ROS/Bcl-2/Bax/Caspase-3 pathway. The in vivo study proved that topical use of PZH exceeded the systematical route both in accelerating the wound closure and improving the healing quality. Meanwhile, PZH promoted wound closure through stimulating the secretion of Col-I, decreasing fibroblast apoptosis, and enhancing myo-fibroblast differentiation, in consistent with the mechanism study in vitro.

CONCLUSIONS

Local used PZH improves wound healing by inhibiting the abnormal HFF-1 apoptosis and senescence. The study held a great promise for development of a topical dosage form of PZH for diabetic wound healing.

Uncovering the Mechanism of the Effects of Pien-Tze-Huang on Liver Cancer Using Network Pharmacology and Molecular Docking

Pien-Tze-Huang (PTH) has a long history in the treatment of liver cancer. However, its molecular mechanism of action remains unclear. TCMSP and TCM were used to collect the active ingredients. Bioactive compounds targets were predicted by reverse pharmacophore models. The antiliver cancer targets of PTH were selected by gene comparison of liver cancer in the GEO database. Molecular docking was used to verify the binding activity of the targets and the active ingredients. The DAVID was used to analyze the gene function and signal pathway. A model was built with Cytoscape. The core genes were obtained by PPI network. We screened the 4 main medicinal ingredients of PTH to obtain 16 active ingredient, 190 potential targets, and 6 core genes. We found that active small molecules exert anticancer effects by multiple pathways. The core genes were involved in multiple biological processes. We also found that eight chemical components play a greater role in inhibiting liver cancer. PTH achieves the effect of inhibiting liver cancer through the synergistic effect of multiple components, multiple targets, and multiple pathways. This study provides a potential scientific basis for further elucidating the molecular mechanism of action of PTH against liver cancer.

Therapeutic Potential of Pien-Tze-Huang: A Review on Its Chemical Composition, Pharmacology, and Clinical Application

Pien-Tze-Huang (PTH) is a famous and commonly used traditional Chinese medicine formula in China. It was first formulated by a royal physician of the Ming Dynasty (around 1555 AD). Recently, PTH has attracted attention worldwide due to its beneficial effects against various diseases, especially cancer. This paper systematically reviewed the up-to-date information on its chemical composition, pharmacology, and clinical application. A range of chemical compounds, mainly ginsenosides and bile acids, have been identified and quantified from PTH. Pharmacological studies indicated that PTH has beneficial effects against various cancers, hepatopathy, and ischemic stroke. Furthermore, PTH has been used clinically to treat various diseases in China, such as colorectal cancer, liver cancer, and hepatitis. In summary, PTH is a potential agent with extensive therapeutic effects for the treatment of various diseases. However, the lack of information on the side effects and toxicity of PTH is a non-negligible issue, which needs to be seriously studied in the future.

Traditional Chinese medicine combined with hepatic targeted drug delivery systems: A new strategy for the treatment of liver diseases

Liver diseases are clinically common and present a substantial public health issue. Many of the currently available drugs for the treatment of liver diseases suffer from limitations that include low hepatic distribution, lack of target effects, poor in vivo stability and adverse effects on other organs. Consequently, conventional treatment of hepatic diseases is ineffective. TCM is commonly used in the treatment of liver diseases worldwide, particularly in China, and has advantages over conventional therapy. HTDDS can be designed to enhance clinical efficacy in the treatment of liver diseases. We have conducted an extensive review of 335 studies reported since 1964. These included about 166 references involving the treatment of liver diseases with TCM (covering active components of TCM, single TCM and Chinese medicine formulas), 169 reports on HTDDS and background studies on liver-related diseases. Here we review the long history of TCM in the treatment of liver diseases.We have also reviewed the status of studies on active components of TCM using nanotechnology-based targeted delivery systems to provide support for further research and development of TCM-based targeted preparations for the treatment of liver disease.

Pien Tze Huang Alleviates Relapsing-Remitting Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis Mice by Regulating Th1 and Th17 Cells

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease of the central nervous system (CNS), characterized by infiltrating inflammatory cells and demyelinating lesions, and T helper (Th) cells play critical roles in the pathogenesis of MS. There is still lack of effective treatments currently. Pien Tze Huang (PZH), a traditional Chinese medicine formula, has been proved to have anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, and immunoregulatory effects. However, whether PZH can be used to treat MS is still obscure. This study aimed to investigate the possible therapeutic effect and the underlying action mechanism of PZH in relapsing-remitting experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (RR-EAE) mice. Female SJL/J mice were immunized with myelin proteolipid protein 139–151 (PLP_139−151) and pertussis toxin to establish RR-EAE model. Mice were then randomly divided into normal group, model group, PZH group and positive control group (fingolimod, FTY-720), and drugs were orally administered for 60 days from the day 10 after immunization. Sera of mice were collected for ELISA detection. Tissues of CNS were harvested for hematoxylin-eosin (H-E) and luxol fast blue (LFB) staining. Furthermore, Th1, Th17 cells and their related cytokines in the CNS were detected by flow cytometry and quantitative real-time PCR, respectively. Proteins involved in STAT and NF-κB signaling pathways were detected by western blot. The results showed that PZH-treated mice displayed mild or moderate clinical symptoms compared with untreated EAE mice that exhibited severe clinical symptoms. PZH remarkably reduced inflammatory cell infiltration and myelin damage in the CNS of EAE mice. It markedly down-regulated the levels of IFN-γ and IL-17A in sera of EAE mice. Moreover, PZH could reduce the percentages of Th1 and Th17 cells. It also suppressed the production of transcription factors ROR-γt and T-bet as well as the mRNA levels of their downstream pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as IFN-γ and IL-17A. Furthermore, PZH could inhibit the phosphorylation of some key proteins in the STAT and NF-κB signaling pathways. In conclusion, the study demonstrated that PZH had a therapeutic effect on RR-EAE mice, which was associated with the modulation effect on Th1 and Th17 cells.

Pien Tze Huang ameliorates liver injury by inhibiting the PERK/eIF2α signaling pathway in alcohol and high-fat diet rats

OBJECTIVE

To explore whether Pien Tze Huang (PTH) exerts a hepatoprotective effect via inhibiting the PERK/eIF2ɑ signaling pathway using an experimental animal model of alcoholic and high-fat diet rats.

METHODS

A liver injury rat model was established and treated with PTH. Pathological changes in the liver were evaluated by hematoxylin and eosin staining. Hepatic biochemical indexes were detected using an automatic biochemical analyzer. The level of Hcy in serum samples was analyzed using an ELISA. Levels of mRNAs related to ER stress signaling were measured by real-time quantitative-PCR, and protein expression levels were measured by Western blot analysis.

RESULTS

PTH ameliorated the defects in hepatic function, hepatic pathology and the impairment in lipid metabolism observed in the alcoholic and high-fat diet rats. Moreover, PTH reduced the serum Hcy level and inhibited the PERK/eIF2ɑ pathway in response to ER stress.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that the administration of PTH ameliorated the severity of alcoholic and high-fat diet rats possibly by inhibiting the Hcy-induced PERK/eIF2α pathway.

Therapeutic Potential of Pien Tze Huang on Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis Rat

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory demyelinating disease of the central nervous system (CNS). There is still lack of commercially viable treatment currently. Pien Tze Huang (PZH), a traditional Chinese medicine, has been proved to have anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, and immunoregulatory effects. This study investigated the possible therapeutic effects of PZH on experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) rats, a classic animal model of MS. Male Lewis rats were immunized with myelin basic protein (MBP) peptide to establish an EAE model and then treated with three doses of PZH. Clinical symptoms, organ coefficient, histopathological features, levels of proinflammatory cytokines, and chemokines as well as MBP and Olig2 were analyzed. The results indicated that PZH ameliorated the clinical severity of EAE rats. It also remarkably reduced inflammatory cell infiltration in the CNS of EAE rats. Furthermore, the levels of IL-17A, IL-23, CCL3, and CCL5 in serum and the CNS were significantly decreased; the p-P65 and p-STAT3 levels were also downregulated in the CNS, while MBP and Olig2 in the CNS of EAE rats had a distinct improvement after PZH treatment. In addition, PZH has no obvious toxicity at the concentration of 0.486 g/kg/d. This study demonstrated that PZH could be used to treat MS.

Pien Tze Huang inhibits metastasis of human colorectal carcinoma cells via modulation of TGF-β1/ZEB/miR-200 signaling network

Tumor metastasis, a complex process involving the spread of malignant tumor cells from a primary tumor site to a distant organ, is a major cause of failure of cancer chemotherapy. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a critical step for the initiation of cancer metastasis. The processes of EMT and metastasis are highly regulated by a double-negative feedback loop consisting of TGF-β1/ZEB pathway and miR-200 family, which therefore has become a promising target for cancer chemotherapy. Pien Tze Huang (PZH), a well-known traditional Chinese formula first prescribed in the Ming Dynasty, has been demonstrated to be clinically effective in the treatment of various types of human malignancy including colorectal cancer (CRC). Our published data proposed that PZH was able to induce apoptosis, inhibit cell proliferation and tumor angiogenesis, leading to the suppression of CRC growth in vitro and in vivo. To further elucidate the mode of action of PZH, in the present study we evaluated its effects on the metastatic capacities of human colorectal carcinoma HCT-8 cells and investigated the underlying molecular mechanisms. We found that PZH significantly inhibited the migration and invasion of HCT-8 cells in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, PZH treatment inhibited the expression of key mediators of TGF-β1 signaling, such as TGF-β1, Smad2/3 and Smad4. Moreover, PZH treatment suppressed the expression of ZEB1 and ZEB2, two critical target genes of TGF-β1 pathway, leading to a decrease in the expression of mesenchymal marker N-cadherin and an increased expression of epithelial marker E-cadherin. Furthermore, PZH treatment upregulated the expression of miR-200a, miR-200b and miR-200c. Collectively, our findings in this study suggest that PZH can inhibit metastasis of colorectal cancer cells via modulating TGF-β1/ZEB/miR-200 signaling network, which might be one of the mechanisms whereby PZH exerts its anticancer function.

Recent Progress of Research on Herbal Products Used in Traditional Chinese Medicine: the Herbs belonging to The Divine Husbandman's Herbal Foundation Canon ( Shén Nóng Běn Cǎo Jīng)

This article will review selected herbal products from Chinese Materia Medica that are used in Traditional Chinese Medicine. The herbs come from the upper, middle, and lower class medicines as listed in The Divine Husbandman's Herbal Foundation Canon (神農本草經 Shén Nóng Běn Cǎo Jīng). The review will focus on the active constituents of the herbs and their bioactivities, with emphasis on the most recent progress in research for the period of 2003 to 2011.

Inhibition of ovarian cancer cell proliferation by Pien Tze Huang via the AKT-mTOR pathway

Pien Tze Huang (PZH) is a well-known Chinese medicine that has been used as a therapeutic drug in the treatment of a number of diseases, such as hepatocellular carcinoma and colon cancer. However, few studies have analyzed the effects of PZH on ovarian cancer cell proliferation. In the present study, 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide and Transwell assays, cell cycle and apoptosis rate analyses and western blotting were conducted to investigate the effects of PZH on the proliferation rate of ovarian cancer cells and its potential molecular pathway. The results showed that PZH inhibits the proliferation of the human ovarian cancer OVCAR-3 cell line by blocking the progression of the cell cycle from the G₁ to S phase, however, PZH did not induce OVCAR-3 cell apoptosis. Increased PZH concentration may downregulate the expression of AKT, phosphorylated (p)-AKT, mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) and p-mTOR proteins in the OVCAR-3 cell line. In addition, it was observed that PZH may suppress the protein expression of cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK)4 and CDK6. Overall, the results of the present study indicated that PZH may inhibit ovarian cancer cell proliferation by modulating the activity of the AKT-mTOR pathway.

Influence of gastrointestinal digestion and edible plant combination on oral bioavailability of triterpene saponins, using a biomimetic digestion and absorption system and determination by HPLC

Saponins have many biological activities, but their overload could cause toxicity to the human body. Bionic gastrointestinal digestion and monolayer liposome extraction were used for oral bioavailability assessment of triterpene saponins (notoginsenoside R1, ginsenosides Rb1 and Rd1) in an edible herb (San-Chi) and its compound herbal medicine (Pien Tze Huang, PZH). The concentrations of affinity-monolayer liposome saponins in the chyme were determined by HPLC and used for oral bioavailability assessment. With the digestion of San-Chi and PZH from the stomach to the intestine, the release of saponins in their chyme was increased. The intestinal absorption ratios of N-R1, G-Rb1, G-Rd1, and total saponins from San-Chi were 86.57, 18.56, 73.30, and 40.20%, respectively, which were more than those from PZH (i.e., 19.56, 10.11, 30.11, and 16.08%). The oral bioavailability of saponins was controlled by saponin species, gastrointestinal digestion, and edible plants combination.

Pien Tze Huang induced apoptosis in human colon cancer HT-29 cells is associated with regulation of the Bcl-2 family and activation of caspase 3

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the cellular effects of Pien Tze Huang (PZH) in the HT-29 human colon carcinoma cell line.

METHODS

The viability of HT-29 cells was determined by MTT assay. A fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) analysis with annexin-V/propidium iodide (PI) and JC-1 staining were performed to determine cell apoptosis and the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential, respectively. Activation of caspase 3 was evaluated by a colorimetric assay. The mRNA expression levels of Bcl-2 and Bax were measured by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).

RESULTS

PZH, in a dose- and time-dependent manner, reduced viability and induced apoptosis of HT-29 cells. Moreover, PZH treatment resulted in the collapse of the mitochondrial membrane potential, activation of caspase 3, and an increase in the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio.

CONCLUSION

PZH inhibits the growth of HT-29 cells by inducing cancer cell apoptosis via regulation of the Bcl-2 family and activation of caspase 3, which may, in part, explain its anticancer activity.

Protective effects and potential mechanisms of Pien Tze Huang on cerebral chronic ischemia and hypertensive stroke

Background

Stroke caused by brain ischemia is the third leading cause of adult disability. Active prevention and early treatment of stroke targeting the causes and risk factors may decrease its incidence, mortality and subsequent disability. Pien Tze Huang (PZH), a Chinese medicine formula, was found to have anti-edema, anti-inflammatory and anti-thrombotic effects that can prevent brain damage. This study aims to investigate the potential mechanisms of the preventive effects of Pien Tze Huang on brain damage caused by chronic ischemia and hypertensive stroke in rats.

Methods

The effects of Pien Tze Huang on brain protein expression in spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR) and stroke prone SHR (SHRsp) were studied with 2-D gel electrophoresis and mass spectrometric analysis with a matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF)/TOF tandem mass spectrometer and on brain cell death with enzyme link immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and immunostaining.

Results

Pien Tze Huang decreased cell death in hippocampus and cerebellum caused by chronic ischemia and hypertensive stroke. Immunostaining of caspase-3 results indicated that Pien Tze Huang prevents brain cells from apoptosis caused by ischemia. Brain protein expression results suggested that Pien Tze Huang downregulated QCR₂ in the electron transfer chain of mitochondria preventing reactive oxygen species (ROS) damage and possibly subsequent cell death (caspase 3 assay) as caused by chronic ischemia or hypertensive stroke to hippocampus and cerebellum.

Conclusion

Pien Tze Huang showed preventive effects on limiting the damage or injury caused by chronic ischemia and hypertensive stroke in rats. The effect of Pien Tze Huang was possibly related to prevention of cell death from apoptosis or ROS/oxidative damage in mitochondria.

Pien Tze Huang, a composite Chinese traditional herbal extract, affects survival of neuroblastoma cells

Pien Tze Huang is a popular Chinese medicine for liver diseases. In the investigations of possible effects of Pien Tze Huang on the central nervous system, we first studied the in vitro anti-cancer activity of Pien Tze Huang on neuroblastoma cells (SH-SY5Y) as compared with normal fibroblasts (NIH-3T3). Results showed that Pien Tze Huang significantly decreased (p < .05) cell survival of SH-SY5Y as compared to NIH-3T3. Furthermore, the decreases in cell survival of SH-SY5Y were significantly and linearly dose-dependent (p < .05) from 400 to 1,000 microg/ml. This supports further in vivo and animal studies for anti-cancer effect, neuroprotection, and their mechanisms.

Substitution for natural musk in Pien Tze Huang does not affect its hepatoprotective activities

Previous studies showed that Pien Tze Huang, a Chinese folk medicine well known for its therapeutic activity in treating liver diseases, protected the liver against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced damage in mice. In the present study, natural musk, one of the important ingredients of Pien Tze Huang, was replaced by a formulated substitute, and the new formulation of Pien Tze Huang was shown to have similar chromatographic patterns to the original Pien Tze Huang in gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and high performance liquid chromatography. When used in treating mice with CCl4- or galactosamine-induced liver damage, both the original and new formulations of Pien Tze Huang were found to be able to suppress to a similar extent both the histopathological changes in the liver and the elevation of serum alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase. Necrosis, cellular ballooning, microvesicular steatosis and lymphocytes infiltration were all significantly reduced in the damaged liver. In hepatoma cells, both formulations activated the activator protein 1 (AP1) enhancer sequence, indicating that both of them were able to act through the JNK signal transduction pathway. The results of the present study showed that the substitution for natural musk does not affect the hepatoprotective activities of Pien Tze Huang. It is also postulated that both formulations protect the liver through regulating signal transduction in the cell.