Molecular network-based analysis of guizhi-shaoyao-zhimu decoction, a TCM herbal formula, for treatment of diabetic peripheral neuropathy

Identification of Differential Compositions of Aqueous Extracts of Cinnamomi Ramulus and Cinnamomi Cortex

Cinnamomi ramulus (CR) and Cinnamomi cortex (CC), both sourced from Cinnamomum cassia Presl, are commonly used Chinese medicines in the Chinese Pharmacopeia. However, while CR functions to dissipate cold and to resolve external problems of the body, CC functions to warm the internal organs. To clarify the material basis of these different functions and clinical effects, a simple and reliable UPLC-Orbitrap-Exploris-120-MS/MS method combined with multivariate statistical analyses was established in this study with the aim of exploring the difference in chemical compositions of aqueous extracts of CR and CC. As the results indicated, a total of 58 compounds was identified, including nine flavonoids, 23 phenylpropanoids and phenolic acids, two coumarins, four lignans, four terpenoids, 11 organic acids and five other components. Of these compounds, 26 significant differential compounds were identified statistically including six unique components in CR and four unique components in CC. Additionally, a robust HPLC method combined with hierarchical clustering analysis (HCA) was developed to simultaneously determine the concentrations and differentiating capacities of five major active ingredients in CR and CC: coumarin, cinnamyl alcohol, cinnamic acid, 2-methoxycinnamic acid and cinnamaldehyde. The HCA results showed that these five components could be used as markers for successfully distinguishing CR and CC. Finally, molecular docking analyses were conducted to obtain the affinities between each of the abovementioned 26 differential components, focusing on targets involved in diabetes peripheral neuropathy (DPN). The results indicated that the special and high-concentration components in CR showed high docking scores of affinities with targets such as HbA1c and proteins in the AMPK-PGC1-SIRT3 signaling pathway, suggesting that CR has greater potential than CC for treating DPN.

Changes of macrophage and CD4+ T cell in inflammatory response in type 1 diabetic mice

Immune cells play an important role in the development of inflammation in type 1 diabetes mellitus, so we want to explore the changes of CD4+ T cells and macrophages in vivo, which can provide an experimental basis for immunotherapy based on CD4+ T cells and macrophages. The intraperitoneal injection of streptozocin was used to induce a type 1 diabetes mellitus mouse model; the blood glucose, body weight, and the expression of inflammatory factors in the kidney were measured. Immunohistochemistry was applied to determine and analyze the infiltration of CD4+ T cells and macrophages in the spleen, pancreas, and kidney. The subtypes of macrophages in the kidney and CD4+ T cells in the spleen were analyzed by flow cytometry. Our study suggests that CD4+ T cells and macrophages increase, while the inflammatory immune response system is activated in the development of T1DM. CD4+ T cells positively correlated with macrophages in the pancreas and kidney of T1DM. CD4+ T cells turn to pro-inflammatory subtypes in the spleen of T1DM, while macrophages turn to pro-inflammatory subtypes in the kidney of T1DM. Therefore, regulation of CD4+ T cells and macrophages may be a potential target for T1DM and kidney complications.

Immunometabolism at the service of traditional Chinese medicine

To enhance therapeutic efficacy and reduce adverse effects, ancient practitioners of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) prescribe combinations of plant species/animal species and minerals designated "TCM formulae" developed based on TCM theory and clinical experience. TCM formulae have been shown to exert curative effects on complex diseases via immune regulation but the underlying mechanisms remain unknown at present. Considerable progress in the field of immunometabolism, referring to alterations in the intracellular metabolism of immune cells that regulate their function, has been made over the past decade. The core context of immunometabolism is regulation of the allocation of metabolic resources supporting host defense and survival, which provides a critical additional dimension and emerging insights into how the immune system and metabolism influence each other during disease progression. This review summarizes research findings on the significant association between the immune function and metabolic remodeling in health and disease as well as the therapeutic modulatory effects of TCM formulae on immunometabolism. Progressive elucidation of the immunometabolic mechanisms involved during the course of TCM treatment continues to aid in the identification of novel potential targets against pathogenicity. In this report, we have provided a comprehensive overview of the benefits of TCM based on regulation of immunometabolism that are potentially applicable for the treatment of modern diseases.

Systematic characterization of the absorbed components of Ligustri Lucidi Fructus and their metabolic pathways in rat plasma by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-Q-Exactive Orbitrap tandem mass spectrometry combined with network pharmacology

Ligustri Lucidi Fructus is a dried and mature fruit of Ligustrum lucidum Ait., which has the effects of nourishing liver and kidney. Herein, an accurate and sensitive method was established for the separation and identification of the absorbed constituents and metabolites of Ligustri Lucidi Fructus in rat plasma based on ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-Q-Exactive Orbitrap tandem mass spectrometry. A total of 73 prototype constituents and 148 metabolites were identified or characterized in administered plasma, and the possible metabolic pathways of constituents mainly involved hydroxylation, sulfation, demethylation, and glucuronidation. Besides, the network pharmacology was further investigated to illuminate its potential mechanism of treatment for liver injury by the biological targets regulating related pathways. Network pharmacological analysis showed that target components through 399 targets regulate 220 pathways. The docking results showed that 36 key target components were closely related to liver injury. Overall, the study clearly presented the metabolic processes of Ligustri Lucidi Fructus and gave a comprehensive metabolic profile of Ligustri Lucidi Fructus in vivo first. Combining with network pharmacology and molecular docking discovered potential drug targets and disclose the biological processes of Ligustri Lucidi Fructus, which will be a viable step toward uncovering the secret mask of study for traditional Chinese medicine.

Effects of Guizhi decoction for diabetic cardiac autonomic neuropathy: A protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Diabetic cardiac autonomic neuropathy (DCAN) is one of the serious complications of diabetes. The pathogenesis of DCAN has not been fully elucidated. There is currently no effective treatment for such chronic disease. Traditional Chinese medicine has a long clinical history for the prevention and treatment of diabetes and chronic complications, and it also shows certain advantages in the treatment of DCAN. Many clinical studies have confirmed that Chinese medicine Guizhi decoction can reduce the clinical symptoms and improve neuronal function of patients with DCAN. So we intend to conduct a systematic review further clarified the effectiveness and safety of Guizhi decoction for DCAN.

METHODS

We will search each database from the built-in until July 2020. The English literature mainly searches Cochrane Library, PubMed, EMBASE, and Web of Science, while the Chinese literature comes from CNKI, CBM, VIP, and Wangfang database. Simultaneously we will retrieval clinical registration tests and grey literatures. In this study, only the clinical randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were selected to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Guizhi decoction in the treatment of DCAN. The 2 researchers independently conducted literature selection, data extraction, and quality assessment. Statistical heterogeneity among studies will be evaluated using the Cochran Q test (x) and the I statistical value. We will utilize the Review Manage software V5.3.0 (The Nordic Cochrane Center, The Cochrane Collaboration, 2014, Copenhagen, Denmark) to statistically analyze all data.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

This study is a protocol for a systematic review of Guizhi decoction as a treatment of DCAN patients.

RESULTS

This study will provide high-quality synthesis of effectiveness and safety of Guizhi decoction for DCAN.

CONCLUSION

This systematic review aims to provide new options for Guizhi decoction treatment of DCAN in terms of its efficacy and safety.

REGISTRATION NUMBER

INPLASY202080018.

Metabolomic analysis of animal models of depression

BACKGROUND

Our understanding of the molecular mechanisms of depression remains largely unclear. Previous studies have shown that the prefrontal cortex (PFC) is among most important brain regions that exhibits metabolic changes in depression. A comprehensive analysis based on candidate metabolites in the PFC of animal models of depression will provide valuable information for understanding the pathogenic mechanism underlying depression.

METHODS

Candidate metabolites that are potentially involved in the metabolic changes of the PFC in animal models of depression were retrieved from the Metabolite Network of Depression Database. The significantly altered metabolic pathways were revealed by canonical pathway analysis, and the relationships among altered pathways were explored by pathway crosstalk analysis. Additionally, drug-associated pathways were investigated using drug-associated metabolite set enrichment analysis. The interrelationships among metabolites, proteins, and other molecules were analyzed by molecular network analysis.

RESULTS

Among 88 candidate metabolites, 87 altered canonical pathways were identified, and the top five ranked pathways were tRNA charging, the endocannabinoid neuronal synapse pathway, (S)-reticuline biosynthesis II, catecholamine biosynthesis, and GABA receptor signaling. Pathway crosstalk analysis revealed that these altered pathways were grouped into three interlinked modules involved in amino acid metabolism, nervous system signaling/neurotransmitters, and nucleotide metabolism. In the drug-associated metabolite set enrichment analysis, the main enriched drug pathways were opioid-related and antibiotic-related action pathways. Furthermore, the most significantly altered molecular network was involved in amino acid metabolism, molecular transport, and small molecule biochemistry.

CONCLUSIONS

This study provides important clues for the metabolic characteristics of the PFC in depression.

Pharmacological Activity, Pharmacokinetics, and Toxicity of Timosaponin AIII, a Natural Product Isolated From Anemarrhena asphodeloides Bunge: A Review

Anemarrhena asphodeloides Bunge is a famous Chinese Materia Medica and has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for more than two thousand years. Steroidal saponins are important active components isolated from A. asphodeloides Bunge. Among which, the accumulation of numerous experimental studies involved in Timosaponin AIII (Timo AIII) draws our attention in the recent decades. In this review, we searched all the scientific literatures using the key word "timosaponin AIII" in the PubMed database update to March 2020. We comprehensively summarized the pharmacological activity, pharmacokinetics, and toxicity of Timo AIII. We found that Timo AIII presents multiple-pharmacological activities, such as anti-cancer, anti-neuronal disorders, anti-inflammation, anti-coagulant, and so on. And the anti-cancer effect of Timo AIII in various cancers, especially hepatocellular cancer and breast cancer, is supposed as its most potential activity. The anti-inflammatory activity of Timo AIII is also beneficial to many diseases. Moreover, VEGFR, X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein (XIAP), B-cell-specific Moloney murine leukemia virus integration site 1 (BMI1), thromboxane (Tx) A2 receptor, mTOR, NF-κB, COX-2, MMPs, acetylcholinesterase (AChE), and so on are identified as the crucial pharmacological targets of Timo AIII. Furthermore, the hepatotoxicity of Timo AIII was most concerned, and the pharmacokinetics and toxicity of Timo AIII need further studies in diverse animal models. In conclusion, Timo AIII is potent as a compound or leading compound for further drug development while still needs in-depth studies.

Baihu Jia Renshen Decoction for type 2 diabetic mellitus: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is one of the main health problems that perplex people all over the world. The prevalence of DM is still increasing in spite of the great efforts have been made to control DM in recent years. Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is the most common type of diabetes, accounting for about 90% of all DM cases. Traditional Chinese medicine has been used on treatment of DM and diabetic complications in China for many years. Baihu Jia Renshen Decoction (BJRD) is one of the oldest classic prescriptions of traditional Chinese medicine that applied in the field of diabetes' treatment. BJRD is proved to be effective after years of clinical practice and basic research. The application of BJRD improves the overall clinical efficacy of T2DM. Therefore, a systematic review is necessary to provide available evidence for BJRD in therapy of T2DM.

METHODS

Different studies from various databases will be involved in this study. Only randomized controlled trials of T2DM patients diagnosed with World Health Organization 1999 diagnostic criteria will be included. We will search the literature in the databases from China Conference Paper Database, manual searching. Electronic database includes PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, CNKI (China National Knowledge Internet), WanFang, VIP (Chongqing VIP), and CBM (China Biomedical Literature CDROM Database). The primary outcomes include 2 hour plasma glucose, fasting plasma glucose, hemoglobin A1c, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance, and fasting plasma insulin. The secondary outcomes include clinical efficacy and adverse events. Data will be extracted by 2 researchers independently, risk of bias of the meta-analysis will be evaluated based on the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions. All data analysis will be conducted by data statistics software Review Manager V.5.3. and Stata V.12.0.

RESULTS

This study will synthesize and provide high-quality evidence based on the data of the currently published BJRD for the treatment of T2DM, in terms of 2 hour plasma glucose, fasting plasma glucose, hemoglobin A1c, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance and fasting plasma insulin, clinical efficacy, and safety.

CONCLUSION

This systematic review aims to evaluate the benefits and harms of BJRD for the treatment of T2DM reported in randomized controlled trials, and provide more options for clinicians and patients to treat T2DM.

REGISTRATION NUMBER

INPLASY202040006.

Synergistic Effects of Erzhi Pill Combined With Methotrexate on Osteoblasts Mediated via the Wnt1/LRP5/β-Catenin Signaling Pathway in Collagen-Induced Arthritis Rats

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic systemic autoimmune disease characterized by chronic synovitis, bone erosion, and bone loss. Erzhi Pill (EZP), a classic Chinese patent medicine, is often used to treat osteoporosis and shows a capacity for bone metabolism regulation. Methotrexate (MTX), an essential drug for RA treatment, has been reported to inhibit generalized bone loss in RA patients. However, the combined therapeutic effects and mechanism of EZP and MTX in RA have not been fully elucidated. The aim of this study was to investigate the synergistic effect of EZP and MTX on RA and to explore the underlying mechanism through network pharmacological prediction and experimental verification. Chemical compounds of EZP, human target proteins of EZP and MTX, and RA-related human genes were identified in the Encyclopedia of Traditional Chinese Medicine database, PubChem database, and NCBI database, respectively. The molecular network of EZP and MTX in RA was generated and analyzed with Ingenuity Pathway Analysis software according to the datasets. Then, MTX monotherapy, EZP monotherapy, and combined MTX and EZP therapy were administered to collagen-induced arthritis rats, followed by assessment of pathological score, bone damage, bone alkaline phosphatases (BALP), and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRACP), and of gene levels related to the Wnt1/LRP5/β-catenin pathway according to network pharmacological analysis. Finally, serum samples from MTX-, EZP- and MTX+EZP-treated rats were used to treat the rat osteoblast (OB)-like UMR-106 cell line to evaluate gene levels related to Wnt1/LRP5/β-catenin. Network pharmacological analysis showed that the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway was the top signaling pathway shared among MTX, EZP, and RA. The results from in vivo experiments indicated that EZP combined with MTX reduced arthritis severity, alleviated ankle bone damage, increased BALP and decreased TRACP serum levels, and regulated the mRNA expression of Wnt1, LRP5, β-catenin, Runx2, BALP, and BGP in the ankles. In vitro experiments showed that EZP combined with MTX could also improve the expression of genes related to the Wnt1/LRP5/β-catenin pathway. This study demonstrated that EZP in combination with MTX played a synergistic role in regulating OBs in RA, which was connected to the modulatory effect of EZP and MTX on the Wnt1/LRP5/β-catenin signaling pathway.

Huangqi Guizhi Wuwu decoction for diabetic peripheral neuropathy: Protocol for a systematic review

BACKGROUND

Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) is one of the most common causes of disability in diabetic population, and its pathogenesis is related to a variety of factors. There is currently no effective treatment for such chronic disease. Traditional Chinese medicine has a long clinical history for the prevention and treatment of diabetes and chronic complications, and it also shows certain advantages in the treatment of DPN. Many clinical studies have confirmed that Chinese medicine Huangqi Guizhi Wuwu decoction (HGWD) can reduce the clinical symptoms and improve neuronal function of patients with DPN. So we intend to conduct a systematic review further clarified the effectiveness and safety of HGWD for DPN.

METHODS

We will search each database from the built-in until June 2019. The English literature mainly searches Cochrane Library, PubMed, EMBASE, and Web of Science, while the Chinese literature comes from CNKI, CBM, VIP, and Wangfang database. Simultaneously we will retrieval clinical registration tests and grey literatures. This study only screen the clinical randomized controlled trials (RCTs) about HGWD for DPN to assess its efficacy and safety. The 2 researchers worked independently on literature selection, data extraction, and quality assessment. The dichotomous data is represented by relative risk (RR), and the continuous is expressed by mean difference (MD) or standard mean difference (SMD), eventually the data is synthesized using a fixed effect model (FEM) or a random effect model (REM) depending on whether or not heterogeneity exists. The clinical efficacy, median sensory nerve conduction velocity, median motor nerve conduction velocity, peroneal sensory nerve conduction velocity, and peroneal motor nerve conduction velocity were evaluated as the main outcomes. Fasting blood glucose, 2 hours postprandial blood glucose, hemorheology, and adverse reactions were secondary outcomes. Finally, meta-analysis was conducted by RevMan software version 5.3.

RESULTS

This study will synthesize and provide high-quality evidence based on the data of the currently published HGWD for the treatment of DPN, especially in terms of clinical efficacy, neurological function, blood glucose, hemorheology, and safety.

CONCLUSION

This systematic review aims to provide new options for HGWD treatment of DPN in terms of its efficacy and safety.

PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER

PROSPERO 2019 CRD42019132031.

Lignans Isolated From Flower Buds of Magnolia fargesii Attenuate Airway Inflammation Induced by Cigarette Smoke in vitro and in vivo

The flower buds of Magnolia fargesii, known traditionally as Xinyi, exert anti-inflammatory effects against inflammatory lung diseases such as COPD. Lignans isolated from Xinyi are an important group of plant-derived anti-inflammatory compounds. However, the mechanisms of action underlying their protective effects against COPD are not yet fully understood. Here, we showed that seven lignans (lignans 1–7) obtained from a CHCl₃ fraction of Xinyi effectively suppress the inflammatory response in CSC-stimulated airway epithelial cells (in vitro) and in a mouse model of COPD established by exposure to CS and LPS. The CHCl₃ fraction was found to inhibit CSC-induced IL-6 expression in human airway epithelial cells and to suppress the infiltration of inflammatory cells (neutrophils and macrophages) and secretion of inflammatory cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in the mouse model. Similarly, each of the seven lignans isolated from the CHCl₃ fraction also suppressed the infiltration of inflammatory cells (neutrophils and macrophages) and secretion of inflammatory mediators such as reactive oxygen species (ROS), TNF-α, and IL-6 in vivo. Notably, all lignan compounds significantly suppressed both extracellular signal-related kinase (ERK) and Akt phosphorylation levels in CSC-stimulated human lung mucoepidermoid carcinoma (NCI-H292) cells. Of these, lignan 1 (dimethylpinoresinol) inhibited the expression of CSC-induced inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, -6, and -8) in vitro in a dose-dependent manner by suppressing the activation of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and its downstream effectors, including ERK and Akt, in NCI-H292 cells. Our results show that the lignans isolated from Xinyi may prevent airway inflammatory diseases through the suppression of EGFR and its downstream effectors.

Suppression of MIF-induced neuronal apoptosis may underlie the therapeutic effects of effective components of Fufang Danshen in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease

Fufang Danshen (FFDS or Compound Danshen) consists of three Chinese herbs Danshen (Salviae miltiorrhizae radix et rhizome), Sanqi (Notoginseng radix et rhizome) and Tianranbingpian (Borneolum, or D-borneol), which has been show to significantly improve the function of the nervous system and brain metabolism. In this study we explored the possible mechanisms underlying the therapeutic effects of the combination of the effective components of FFDS (Tan IIA, NG-R1 and Borneol) in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD) based on network pharmacology. We firstly constructed AD-related FFDS component protein interaction networks, and revealed that macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) might regulate neuronal apoptosis through Bad in the progression of AD. Then we investigated the apoptosis-inducing effects of MIF and the impact of the effective components of FFDS in human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells. We observed the characteristics of a "Pendular state" of MIF, where MIF (8 ng/mL) increased the ratio of p-Bad/Bad by activating Akt and the IKKα/β signaling pathway to assure cell survival, whereas MIF (50 ng/mL) up-regulated the expression of Bad to trigger apoptosis of SH-SY5Y cells. MIF displayed neurotoxicity similar to Aβ_1-42, which was associated with the MIF-induced increased expression of Bad. Application of the FFDS composite solution significantly decreased the expression levels of Bad, suppressed MIF-induced apoptosis in SH-SY5Y cells. In a D-galactose- and AlCl₃-induced AD mouse model, administration of the FFDS composite solution significantly improved the learning and memory, as well as neuronal morphology, and decreased the serum levels of INF-γ. Therefore, the FFDS composite solution exerts neuroprotective effects through down-regulating the level of Bad stimulated by MIF.

In-silico approach for drug induced liver injury prediction: Recent advances

Drug induced liver injury (DILI) is the prime cause of liver disfunction which may lead to mild non-specific symptoms to more severe signs like hepatitis, cholestasis, cirrhosis and jaundice. Not only the prescription medications, but the consumption of herbs and health supplements have also been reported to cause these adverse reactions resulting into high mortality rates and post marketing withdrawal of drugs. Due to the continuously increasing DILI incidences in recent years, robust prediction methods with high accuracy, specificity and sensitivity are of priority. Bioinformatics is the emerging field of science that has been used in the past few years to explore the mechanisms of DILI. The major emphasis of this review is the recent advances of in silico tools for the diagnostic and therapeutic interventions of DILI. These tools have been developed and widely used in the past few years for the prediction of pathways induced from both hepatotoxic as well as hepatoprotective Chinese drugs and for the identification of DILI specific biomarkers for prognostic purpose. In addition to this, advanced machine learning models have been developed for the classification of drugs into DILI causing and non-DILI causing. Moreover, development of 3 class models over 2 class offers better understanding of multi-class DILI risks and at the same time providing authentic prediction of toxicity during drug designing before clinical trials.

Matrine Ameliorates Colorectal Cancer in Rats via Inhibition of HMGB1 Signaling and Downregulation of IL-6, TNF-α, and HMGB1

Matrine may be protective against colorectal cancer (CRC), but how it may work is unclear. Thus, we explored the underlying mechanisms of matrine in CRC. Matrine-related proteins and CRC-related genes and therapeutic targets of matrine in CRC were predicted using a network pharmacology approach. Five targets, including interleukin 6 (IL-6), the 26S proteasome, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1) and p53, and corresponding high-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) signaling and T helper cell differentiation were thought to be associated with matrine's mechanism. Expression of predicted serum targets were verified in a 1,2-dimethylhydrazine dihydrochloride-induced CRC model rats that were treated with matrine (ip) for 18 weeks. Data show that matrine suppressed CRC growth and decreased previously elevated expression of IL-6, TNF-α, p53, and HMGB1. Matrine may have had a therapeutic effect on CRC via inhibition of HMGB1 signaling, and this occurred through downregulation of IL-6, TNF-α, and HMGB1.

Yupingfeng San Inhibits NLRP3 Inflammasome to Attenuate the Inflammatory Response in Asthma Mice

Yupingfeng San (YPFS) is a representative Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) formula with accepted therapeutic effect on Asthma. However, its action mechanism is still obscure. In this study, we used network pharmacology to explore potential mechanism of YPFS on asthma. Nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain (NOD)-like receptor pathway was shown to be the top one shared signaling pathway associated with both YPFS and asthma. In addition, NOD-like receptor family pyrin domain-containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome was treated as target protein in the process of YPFS regulating asthma. Further, experimental validation was done by using LPS-stimulated U937 cells and ovalbumin (OVA)-sensitized BALB/c mice model. In vitro experiments showed that YPFS significantly decreased the production of TNF-α and IL-6, as well as both mRNA and protein levels of IL-1β, NLRP3, Caspase-1 and ASC in LPS-stimulated U937 cells. In vivo experiment indicated that YPFS treatment not only attenuated the clinical symptoms, but also reduced inflammatory cell infiltration, mucus secretion and MUC5AC production in lung tissue of asthmatic mice. Moreover, YPFS treatment remarkably decreased the mRNA and protein levels of IL-1β, NLRP3, Caspase-1 and ASC in lung tissue of asthmatic mice. In conclusion, these results demonstrated that YPFS could inhibit NLRP3 inflammasome components to attenuate the inflammatory response in asthma.

Molecular network-based analysis of the mechanism of liver injury induced by volatile oils from Artemisiae argyi folium

Background

Volatile oils from Artemisiae argyi folium (VOAAF) is reported with hepatotoxicity, but the underlying mechanism is still unclear.

Methods

In the present study this molecular mechanism was explored with the Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA). The chemical components of the VOAAF were searched in the database, and their target proteins were all identified in the PubChem, while drug-induced liver injury (DILI) genes were searched in the PubMed gene databases. The molecular network of protein targets for VOAAF and DILI genes was built with the IPA. The canonical pathways between the 2 networks were compared to decipher the molecular mechanisms of the liver injury induced by VOAAF.

Results

There were 159 target proteins for VOAAF and 338 genes related to DILI identified, which were further analyzed in the IPA. The canonical pathway comparison showed that VOAAF and DILI both worked on aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR), lipopolysaccharide (LPS)/interleukin 1 (IL-1) mediated inhibition of retinoid X receptor (RXR) function, pregnane X receptor (PXR)/RXR activation, xenobiotic metabolism, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR), hepatic cholestasis, farnesoid X receptor (FXR)/RXR activation, and glucocorticoid receptor.

Conclusion

VOAAF-induced liver injury may be involved in many pathways in which the AHR signaling and LPS/IL-1 mediated inhibition of RXR function pathways could be the most vital.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi: 10.1186/s12906-017-1997-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Ping-Chong-Jiang-Ni Formula Induces Apoptosis and Inhibits Proliferation of Human Ectopic Endometrial Stromal Cells in Endometriosis via the Activation of JNK Signaling Pathway

Endometriosis is a common gynecological condition in childbearing age women and its therapy in modern medicine achieves usually temporary cure. Ping-Chong-Jiang-Ni formula (PCJNF), a Chinese herbal medicine (CHM), was shown to be clinically effective on endometriosis. Meanwhile, c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) signaling pathway was involved in the therapeutic process of CHM on endometriosis. Here, we explored the effect of PCJNF on the ectopic endometrial stromal cells (EESCs) from endometriosis and test whether JNK signaling was involved. After being treated with PCJNF-containing serum obtained from Sprague Dawley rat, cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and apoptosis were evaluated in EESCs, and the total and phosphorylated JNK, ERK, and p38 proteins were detected. Our results showed that PCJNF could suppress cell proliferation, migration, and invasion and induce apoptosis in EESCs. The suppressed proliferation and increased apoptosis were dependent on JNK activation. Additionally, PCJNF caused cell cycle arrest at G2/M phase and this effect was mediated by JNK signaling, while the decreased cell migration and invasion treated by PCJNF were independent of JNK signaling. In summary, our results provided the first evidence that PCJNF could suppress cell proliferation, migration, and invasion, while increasing apoptosis in EESCs, and the suppressed proliferation and enhanced apoptosis were mediated by JNK signaling.

Wu-Tou Decoction in Rheumatoid Arthritis: Integrating Network Pharmacology and In Vivo Pharmacological Evaluation

Purpose: This study aimed to explore underlying action mechanism of Wu-Tou decoction (WTD) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) through network pharmacology prediction and experimental verification. Methods: Chemical compounds and human target proteins of WTD as well as RA-related human genes were obtained from TCM Database @ Taiwan, PubChem and GenBank, respectively. Subsequently, molecular networks and canonical pathways presumably involved in the treatment of WTD on RA were generated by ingenuity pathway analysis (IPA) software. Furthermore, experimental validation was carried out with MIP-1β-induced U937 cell model and collagen induced arthritis (CIA) rat model. Results: CCR5 signaling pathway in macrophages was shown to be the top one shared signaling pathway associated with both cell immune response and cytokine signaling. In addition, protein kinase C (PKC) δ and p38 in this pathway were treated as target proteins of WTD in RA. In vitro experiments indicated that WTD inhibited MIP-1β-induced production of TNF-α, MIP-1α, and RANTES as well as phosphorylation of CCR5, PKC δ, and p38 in U937 cells. WTD treatment maintained the inhibitory effects on production of TNF-α and RANTES in MIP-1β-induced U937 cells after CCR5 knockdown. In vivo experiments demonstrated that WTD ameliorated symptoms in CIA rats, decreased the levels of IL-1β, IL-2, IL-6, TNF-α, MIP-1α, MIP-2, RANTES, and IP-10 in serum of CIA rats, as well as mRNA levels of MIP-1α, MIP-2, RANTES, and IP-10 in ankle joints of CIA rats. Furthermore, WTD also lowered the phosphorylation levels of CCR5, PKC δ and p38 in both ankle joints and macrophages in ankle joints from CIA rats. Conclusion: It was demonstrated in this research that WTD played a role in inhibiting inflammatory response in RA which was closely connected with the modulation effect of WTD on CCR5 signaling pathway in macrophages.

The Suppressive Effects of Cinnamomi Cortex and Its Phytocompound Coumarin on Oxaliplatin-Induced Neuropathic Cold Allodynia in Rats

Oxaliplatin, a chemotherapy drug, induces acute peripheral neuropathy characterized by cold allodynia, spinal glial activation and increased levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Herein, we determined whether Cinnamomi Cortex (C. Cortex), a widely used medicinal herb in East Asia for cold-related diseases, could attenuate oxaliplatin-induced cold allodynia in rats and the mechanisms involved. A single oxaliplatin injection (6 mg/kg, i.p.) induced significant cold allodynia signs based on tail immersion tests using cold water (4 °C). Daily oral administration of water extract of C. Cortex (WECC) (100, 200, and 400 mg/kg) for five consecutive days following an oxaliplatin injection dose-dependently alleviated cold allodynia with only a slight difference in efficacies between the middle dose at 200 mg/kg and the highest dose at 400 mg/kg. WECC at 200 mg/kg significantly suppressed the activation of astrocytes and microglia and decreased the expression levels of IL-1β and TNF in the spinal cord after injection with oxaliplatin. Furthermore, oral administration of coumarin (10 mg/kg), a major phytocompound of C. Cortex, markedly reduced cold allodynia. These results indicate that C. Cortex has a potent anti-allodynic effect in oxaliplatin-injected rats through inhibiting spinal glial cells and pro-inflammatory cytokines. We also suggest that coumarin might play a role in the anti-allodynic effect of C. Cortex.