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Abdel-Maksoud MA, Askar MA, Abdel-rahman IY, Gharib M, Aufy M. Integrating Network Pharmacology and Molecular Docking Approach to Elucidate the Mechanism of Commiphora wightii for the Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis. Bioinform Biol Insights 2024; 18:11779322241247634. [PMID: 38765022 PMCID: PMC11102677 DOI: 10.1177/11779322241247634] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2023] [Accepted: 03/28/2024] [Indexed: 05/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is considered a notable prolonged inflammatory condition with no proper cure. Synovial inflammation and synovial pannus are crucial in the onset of RA. The "tumor-like" invading proliferation of new arteries is a keynote of RA. Commiphora wightii (C wightii) is a perennial, deciduous, and trifoliate plant used in several areas of southeast Asia to cure numerous ailments, including arthritis, diabetes, obesity, and asthma. Several in vitro investigations have indicated C wightii's therapeutic efficacy in the treatment of arthritis. However, the precise molecular action is yet unknown. Material and methods In this study, a network pharmacology approach was applied to uncover potential targets, active therapeutic ingredients and signaling pathways in C wightii for the treatment of arthritis. In the groundwork of this research, we examined the active constituent-compound-target-pathway network and evaluated that (Guggulsterol-V, Myrrhahnone B, and Campesterol) decisively donated to the development of arthritis by affecting tumor necrosis factor (TNF), PIK3CA, and MAPK3 genes. Later on, docking was employed to confirm the active components' efficiency against the potential targets. Results According to molecular-docking research, several potential targets of RA bind tightly with the corresponding key active ingredient of C wightii. With the aid of network pharmacology techniques, we conclude that the signaling pathways and biological processes involved in C wightii had an impact on the prevention of arthritis. The outcomes of molecular docking also serve as strong recommendations for future research. In the context of this study, network pharmacology combined with molecular docking analysis showed that C wightii acted on arthritis-related signaling pathways to exhibit a promising preventive impact on arthritis. Conclusion These results serve as the basis for grasping the mechanism of the antiarthritis activity of C wightii. However, further in vivo/in vitro study is needed to verify the reliability of these targets for the treatment of arthritis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mostafa A Abdel-Maksoud
- Department of Botany and Microbiology, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mostafa A Askar
- Radiation Biology Department, National Centre for Radiation Research and Technology (NCRRT), Egyptian Atomic Energy Authority (EAEA), Cairo, Egypt
| | - Ibrahim Y Abdel-rahman
- Radiation Biology Department, National Centre for Radiation Research and Technology (NCRRT), Egyptian Atomic Energy Authority (EAEA), Cairo, Egypt
| | - Mustafa Gharib
- Radiation Biology Department, National Centre for Radiation Research and Technology (NCRRT), Egyptian Atomic Energy Authority (EAEA), Cairo, Egypt
| | - Mohammed Aufy
- Division of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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Hoang SH, Tveter KM, Mezhibovsky E, Roopchand DE. Proanthocyanidin B2 derived metabolites may be ligands for bile acid receptors S1PR2, PXR and CAR: an in silico approach. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2024; 42:4249-4262. [PMID: 37340688 PMCID: PMC10730774 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2023.2224886] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2023] [Accepted: 05/24/2023] [Indexed: 06/22/2023]
Abstract
Bile acids (BAs) act as signaling molecules via their interactions with various nuclear (FXR, VDR, PXR and CAR) and G-protein coupled (TGR5, M3R, S1PR2) BA receptors. Stimulation of these BA receptors influences several processes, including inflammatory responses and glucose and xenobiotic metabolism. BA profiles and BA receptor activity are deregulated in cardiometabolic diseases; however, dietary polyphenols were shown to alter BA profile and signaling in association with improved metabolic phenotypes. We previously reported that supplementing mice with a proanthocyanidin (PAC)-rich grape polyphenol (GP) extract attenuated symptoms of glucose intolerance in association with changes to BA profiles, BA receptor gene expression, and/or downstream markers of BA receptor activity. Exact mechanisms by which polyphenols modulate BA signaling are not known, but some hypotheses include modulation of the BA profile via changes to gut bacteria, or alteration of ligand-availability via BA sequestration. Herein, we used an in silico approach to investigate putative binding affinities of proanthocyanidin B2 (PACB2) and PACB2 metabolites to nuclear and G-protein coupled BA receptors. Molecular docking and dynamics simulations revealed that certain PACB2 metabolites had stable binding affinities to S1PR2, PXR and CAR, comparable to that of known natural and synthetic BA ligands. These findings suggest PACB2 metabolites may be novel ligands of S1PR2, CAR, and PXR receptors.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Skyler H. Hoang
- Department of Food Science, New Jersey Institute for Food, Nutrition, and Health (Rutgers Center for Lipid Research and Center for Nutrition, Microbiome, and Health), Rutgers University, 61 Dudley Road, New Brunswick, New Jersey, 08901 USA
- Department of Cell Biology and Neuroscience, Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey, USA
| | - Kevin M. Tveter
- Department of Food Science, New Jersey Institute for Food, Nutrition, and Health (Rutgers Center for Lipid Research and Center for Nutrition, Microbiome, and Health), Rutgers University, 61 Dudley Road, New Brunswick, New Jersey, 08901 USA
| | - Esther Mezhibovsky
- Department of Food Science, New Jersey Institute for Food, Nutrition, and Health (Rutgers Center for Lipid Research and Center for Nutrition, Microbiome, and Health), Rutgers University, 61 Dudley Road, New Brunswick, New Jersey, 08901 USA
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA
| | - Diana E. Roopchand
- Department of Food Science, New Jersey Institute for Food, Nutrition, and Health (Rutgers Center for Lipid Research and Center for Nutrition, Microbiome, and Health), Rutgers University, 61 Dudley Road, New Brunswick, New Jersey, 08901 USA
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Zhao Y, Cai X, Sun J, Bi W, Yu Y. Active components and mechanisms of total flavonoids from Rhizoma Drynariae in enhancing cranial bone regeneration: An investigation employing serum pharmacochemistry and network pharmacology approaches. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2024; 319:117253. [PMID: 37778522 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2023.117253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2023] [Revised: 09/25/2023] [Accepted: 09/28/2023] [Indexed: 10/03/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Rhizoma Drynariae, as the dried rhizome of Drynaria fortunei (Kunze ex Mett.) J. Sm., is a traditional Chinese medicine for treating the injury and bone broken of falling and beating. Total flavonoids is considered as the major and effective compounds for the therapeutic efficacy of Rhizoma Drynariae. AIM OF THE STUDY To explore the effect of total flavonoids from Rhizoma Drynariae (TFRD) on bone regeneration and the underlying mechanisms. MATERIALS AND METHODS The effect of TFRD in various doses on bone reconstruction in cranial bone defect rats was explored in vivo. The active ingredients in TFRD-medicated serum were characterized by serum pharmacochemistry and integrated by network pharmacology analysis and target prediction. To elucidate the underlying mechanism of TFRD on bone regeneration, experimental validation in vitro was executed to assess the influence of different concentrations of TFRD-medicated serum on osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs). RESULTS Micro-CT, histological examination, immunohistochemical analysis, and ELSA demonstrated that administration of TFRD could promote bone reconstruction in a rat cranial defect model. We identified 27 active components of TFRD using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS). Results from CCK8, ALP, and Alizarin Red S staining revealed that TFRD-medicated serum notably enhanced BMSCs proliferation and osteogenic differentiation. qRT-PCR and Western blot harvested results consistent with those predicted by network pharmacology, providing further evidence that TFRD activated the TGF-β signaling pathway to benefit bone regeneration. CONCLUSION The active components of TFRD modulate the TGF-β signaling pathway to facilitate osteogenesis, thereby repairing cranial bone defects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuxiao Zhao
- Department of Stomatology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, No. 180 Fenglin Road, Shanghai, 200032, PR China
| | - Xiaofang Cai
- Department of Stomatology, Minhang Hospital, Fudan University, No. 170 Xinsong Road, Shanghai, 201199, PR China
| | - Jian Sun
- Department of Stomatology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, No. 180 Fenglin Road, Shanghai, 200032, PR China
| | - Wei Bi
- Department of Stomatology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, No. 180 Fenglin Road, Shanghai, 200032, PR China
| | - Youcheng Yu
- Department of Stomatology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, No. 180 Fenglin Road, Shanghai, 200032, PR China.
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Liao W, Wang M, Wu Y, Du J, Li Y, Su A, Zhong L, Xie Z, Gong M, Liang J, Wang P, Liu Z, Wang L. The mechanisms of Huangqi Guizhi Wuwu decoction in treating ischaemic stroke based on network pharmacology and experiment verification. PHARMACEUTICAL BIOLOGY 2023; 61:1014-1029. [PMID: 37410583 DOI: 10.1080/13880209.2023.2230477] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2022] [Revised: 05/31/2023] [Accepted: 06/22/2023] [Indexed: 07/08/2023]
Abstract
CONTEXT Huangqi Guizhi Wuwu Decoction (HGWD) is effective in treating ischaemic stroke (IS). However, its mechanism of action is still unclear. OBJECTIVE Network pharmacology integrated with in vivo experiments were used to clarify the underlying mechanisms of HGWD for treating IS. MATERIALS AND METHODS TCMSP, GeneCards, OMIM and STRING were used to retrieve and construct visual protein interaction networks for the key targets. The AutoDock tool was used for molecular docking between key targets and active compounds. The neuroprotective effect of HGWD were verified in a middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) model rat. The Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were divided into sham, model, low-dose (5 g/kg, i.g.), high-dose (20 g/kg, i.g.), and nimodipine (20 mg/kg, i.g.) groups once daily for 7 days. The neurological scores, brain infarct volumes, lipid peroxidation, inflammatory cytokines, Nissl bodies, apoptotic neurons, and signalling pathways were all investigated and evaluated in vivo. RESULTS Network pharmacology identified 117 HGWD targets related to IS and 36 candidate compounds. GO and KEGG analyses showed that HGWD anti-IS effects were mainly associated with PI3K-Akt and HIF-1 signalling pathways. HGWD effectively reduced the cerebral infarct volumes (19.19%), the number of apoptotic neurons (16.78%), and the release of inflammatory cytokines, etc. in MCAO rats. Furthermore, HGWD decreased the levels of HIF-1A, VEGFA, Bax, cleaved caspase-3, p-MAPK1, and p-c-Jun while increasing the expression of p-PI3K, p-AKT1, and Bcl-2. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION This study initially elucidated the mechanism of HGWD anti-IS, which contributed to the further promotion and secondary development of HGWD in clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weiguo Liao
- College of Chinese Materia Medica, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Minchun Wang
- College of Chinese Materia Medica, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Ying Wu
- College of Chinese Materia Medica, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Jinyan Du
- College of Chinese Materia Medica, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Yaxin Li
- College of Chinese Materia Medica, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Anyu Su
- College of Chinese Materia Medica, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Lanying Zhong
- College of Chinese Materia Medica, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Zi Xie
- College of Chinese Materia Medica, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Mingyu Gong
- College of Chinese Materia Medica, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Junhui Liang
- College of Chinese Materia Medica, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Pengcheng Wang
- College of Chinese Materia Medica, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Zai Liu
- Pharmacy Department, Dongguan Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Dongguan, Guangdong, China
| | - Lisheng Wang
- College of Chinese Materia Medica, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
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Cao X, Mao K, Zhang Y, Yang M, Liu H, Wang X, Hao L. Integration of proteomics and network toxicology reveals the mechanism of mercury chloride induced hepatotoxicity, in mice and HepG2 cells. Food Chem Toxicol 2023; 177:113820. [PMID: 37172713 DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2023.113820] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2023] [Revised: 05/04/2023] [Accepted: 05/08/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
Mercury is one heavy metal toxin that could cause severe health impairments. Mercury exposure has become a global environmental issue. Mercury chloride (HgCl2) is one of mercury's main chemical forms, but it lacks detailed hepatotoxicity data. The present study aimed to investigate the mechanism of hepatotoxicity induced by HgCl2 through proteomics and network toxicology at the animal and cellular levels. HgCl2 showed apparent hepatotoxicity after being administrated with C57BL/6 mice (16 mg/kg.bw, oral once a day, 28 days) and HepG2 cells (100 μmol/L, 12 h). Otherwise, oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction and inflammatory infiltration play an important role in HgCl2-induced hepatotoxicity. The differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) after HgCl2 treatment and enriched pathways were obtained through proteomics and network toxicology. Western blot and RT-qPCR results showed Acyl-CoA thioesterase 1 (ACOT1), Acyl-CoA synthetase short chain family member 3 (ACSS3), Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), Apolipoprotein B (APOB), Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), Alanine--glyoxylate aminotransferase (AGXT), cytochrome P450 3A5(CYP3A5), CYP2E1 and CYP1A2 may be the major biomarkers for HgCl2-induced hepatotoxicity, which involved chemical carcinogenesis, fatty acid metabolism, CYPs-mediated metabolism, GSH metabolism and others. Therefore, this study can provide scientific evidence for the biomarkers and mechanism of HgCl2-induced hepatotoxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Cao
- Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, Hubei Key Laboratory of Food Nutrition and Safety, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Hangkong Road 13, Wuhan, 430030, China; Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, MOE Key Lab of Environment and Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Hangkong Road 13, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Kanmin Mao
- Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, Hubei Key Laboratory of Food Nutrition and Safety, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Hangkong Road 13, Wuhan, 430030, China; Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, MOE Key Lab of Environment and Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Hangkong Road 13, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Yanan Zhang
- Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, Hubei Key Laboratory of Food Nutrition and Safety, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Hangkong Road 13, Wuhan, 430030, China; Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, MOE Key Lab of Environment and Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Hangkong Road 13, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Miao Yang
- Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, Hubei Key Laboratory of Food Nutrition and Safety, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Hangkong Road 13, Wuhan, 430030, China; Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, MOE Key Lab of Environment and Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Hangkong Road 13, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Hongjuan Liu
- Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, Hubei Key Laboratory of Food Nutrition and Safety, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Hangkong Road 13, Wuhan, 430030, China; Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, MOE Key Lab of Environment and Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Hangkong Road 13, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Xinzheng Wang
- Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, Hubei Key Laboratory of Food Nutrition and Safety, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Hangkong Road 13, Wuhan, 430030, China; Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, MOE Key Lab of Environment and Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Hangkong Road 13, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Liping Hao
- Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, Hubei Key Laboratory of Food Nutrition and Safety, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Hangkong Road 13, Wuhan, 430030, China; Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, MOE Key Lab of Environment and Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Hangkong Road 13, Wuhan, 430030, China.
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Zhang X, Yu X, Yu Z, Fan C, Li Y, Li H, Shen Y, Sun Z, Zhang S. Network pharmacology and bioinformatics to identify molecular mechanisms and therapeutic targets of Ruyi Jinhuang Powder in the treatment of monkeypox. Medicine (Baltimore) 2023; 102:e33576. [PMID: 37115075 PMCID: PMC10145999 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000033576] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2023] [Revised: 03/29/2023] [Accepted: 03/30/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Monkeypox outbreaks across the globe has aroused widespread concern. Ruyi Jinhuang Powder (RJP), a common formula in Chinese medicine, is used to treat pox-like illnesses. This study aimed to identify the molecular mechanisms and therapeutic targets of RJP for the treatment of monkeypox using network pharmacology and bioinformatics techniques. The bioactive substances and potential targets of each component of RJP were retrieved from the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform (TCMSP). The differentially expressed genes (DEGs) of the monkeypox virus (MPXV) were identified from the GSE24125 by GEO2R. Key signaling pathways, bioactive components, and potential targets were obtained by bioinformatics analysis, including gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG), disease ontology (DO), and protein-protein interactions (PPI) analyses. Finally, molecular docking was used to predict the interaction between active compounds and core targets. A total of 158 active ingredients and 17 drug-disease-shared targets of RJP were screened. Bioinformatics indicated that wogonin and quercetin might be potential drug candidates. Potential therapeutic targets were identified. Immune-related mechanisms that exerted antiviral effects included signaling pathways like TNF, age-rage, and c-type lectin receptor pathways. Our results illustrated the good therapeutic effect of RJP on monkeypox in terms of biological activity, potential targets, and molecular mechanism. This also offered a promising strategy to reveal the scientific basis and therapeutic mechanism of herbal formulas used to treat the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xi Zhang
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China
| | - Xinping Yu
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Zhichao Yu
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China
| | - Chengcheng Fan
- College of Rehabilitation, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China
| | - Yueming Li
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China
| | - Huan Li
- College of First Clinical Medical, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China
| | - Yingkai Shen
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China
| | - Zijin Sun
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Shuo Zhang
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China
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Zheng YX, Wang KX, Chen SJ, Liao MX, Chen YP, Guan DG, Wu J, Xiong K. Decoding the Key Functional Combined Components Group and Uncovering the Molecular Mechanism of Longdan Xiegan Decoction in Treating Uveitis. Drug Des Devel Ther 2022; 16:3991-4011. [PMID: 36420429 PMCID: PMC9677932 DOI: 10.2147/dddt.s385136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2022] [Accepted: 11/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective Longdan Xiegan Decoction (LXD) is a famous herbal formula in China. It has been proved that LXD has been shown to have a significant inhibitory effect on suppresses the inflammatory cells associated with uveitis. However, the key functional combination of component groups and their possible mechanisms remain unclear. Methods The community detecting model of the network, the functional response space, and reverse prediction model were utilized to decode the key components group (KCG) and possible mechanism of LXD in treating uveitis. Finally, MTT assay, NO assay and ELISA assay were applied to verify the effectiveness of KCG and the accuracy of our strategy. Results In the components-targets-pathogenic genes-disease (CTP) network, a combination of Huffman coding and random walk algorithm was used and eight foundational acting communities (FACs) were discovered with important functional significance. Verification has shown that FACs can represent the corresponding C-T network for treating uveitis. A novel node importance calculation method was designed to construct the functional response space and pick out 349 effective proteins. A total of 54 components were screened and defined as KCG. The pathway enrichment results showed that KCG and their targets enriched signal pathways of IL-17, Toll-like receptor, and T cell receptor played an important role in the pathogenesis of uveitis. Furthermore, experimental verification results showed that important KCG quercetin and sitosterol markedly inhibited the production of nitric oxide and significantly regulated the level of TNF-α and IFN-γ in Lipopolysaccharide-induced RAW264.7 cells. Discussion In this research, we decoded the potential mechanism of the multi-components-genes-pathways of LXD’s pharmacological action mode against uveitis based on an integrated pharmacology approach. The results provided a new perspective for the future studies of the anti-uveitis mechanism of traditional Chinese medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi-Xu Zheng
- Department of Ophthalmology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Ke-Xin Wang
- Neurosurgery Center, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory on Brain Function Repair and Regeneration, Department of Cerebrovascular Surgery, Engineering Technology Research Center of Education Ministry of China on Diagnosis and Treatment of Cerebrovascular Disease, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, People’s Republic of China
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, People’s Republic of China
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Single Cell Technology and Application, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Si-Jin Chen
- Department of Medical Imaging Center, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Mu-Xi Liao
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510405, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yu-Peng Chen
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, People’s Republic of China
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Single Cell Technology and Application, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Dao-Gang Guan
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, People’s Republic of China
- Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Single Cell Technology and Application, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jing Wu
- Huiqiao Medical Center, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, People’s Republic of China
- Correspondence: Jing Wu; Ke Xiong, Email ;
| | - Ke Xiong
- Department of Ophthalmology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, People’s Republic of China
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Zhao Q, Pan W, Shi H, Qi F, Liu Y, Yang T, Si H, Si G. Network pharmacology and molecular docking analysis on the mechanism of Baihe Zhimu decoction in the treatment of postpartum depression. Medicine (Baltimore) 2022; 101:e29323. [PMID: 36316904 PMCID: PMC9622608 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000029323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Baihe Zhimu decoction (BZD) has significant antidepressant properties and is widely used to treat mental diseases. However, the multitarget mechanism of BZD in postpartum depression (PPD) remains to be elucidated. Therefore, the aim of this study was to explore the molecular mechanisms of BDZ in treating PPD using network pharmacology and molecular docking. Active components and their target proteins were screened from the traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform (TCMSP). The PPD-related targets were obtained from the OMIM, CTD, and GeneCards databases. After overlap, the targets of BZD against PPD were collected. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) network and core target analyses were conducted using the STRING network platform and Cytoscape software. Moreover, molecular docking methods were used to confirm the high affinity between BZD and targets. Finally, the DAVID online tool was used to perform gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis of overlapping targets. The TCMSP database showed that BZD contained 23 active ingredients in PPD. KEGG analysis showed that overlapping genes were mainly enriched in HIF-1, dopaminergic synapses, estrogen, and serotonergic synaptic signalling pathways. Combining the PPI network and KEGG enrichment analysis, we found that ESR1, MAOA, NR3C1, VEGFA, and mTOR were the key targets of PPD. In addition, molecular docking confirmed the high affinity between BZD and the PPD target. Verified by a network pharmacology approach based on data mining and molecular docking methods, the multi-target drug BZD may serve as a promising therapeutic candidate for PPD, but further in vivo/in vitro experiments are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiong Zhao
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Wengu Pan
- Department of Kidney transplantation, The second hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Hongshuo Shi
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China
| | - Fanghua Qi
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Yuan Liu
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Tiantian Yang
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Hao Si
- Ai Kunwei Pharmaceutical Technology Co, Ltd, Shanghai, China
| | - Guomin Si
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, China
- *Correspondence: Guomin Si, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, Shandong, China (e-mail: )
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Xia J, Hu JN, Wang Z, Cai EB, Ren S, Wang YP, Lei XJ, Li W. Based on network pharmacology and molecular docking to explore the protective effect of Epimedii Folium extract on cisplatin-induced intestinal injury in mice. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:1040504. [PMID: 36313368 PMCID: PMC9596753 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.1040504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2022] [Accepted: 09/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Epimedii Folium, as a natural botanical medicine, has been reported to have protective effects on intestinal diseases by modulating multiple signaling pathways. This study aimed to explore the potential targets and molecular mechanisms of Epimedii Folium extract (EFE) against cisplatin-induced intestinal injury through network pharmacology, molecular docking, and animal experiments. Methods: Network pharmacology was used to predict potential candidate targets and related signaling pathways. Molecular docking was used to simulate the interactions between significant potential candidate targets and active components. For experimental validation, mice were intraperitoneally injected with cisplatin 20 mg/kg to establish an intestinal injury model. EFE (100, 200 mg/kg) was administered to mice by gavage for 10 days. The protective effect of EFE on intestinal injury was analyzed through biochemical index detection, histopathological staining, and western blotting. Results: Network pharmacology analysis revealed that PI3K-Akt and apoptosis signaling pathways were thought to play critical roles in EFE treatment of the intestinal injury. Molecular docking results showed that the active constituents of Epimedii Folium, including Icariin, Epimedin A, Epimedin B, and Epimedin C, stably docked with the core AKT1, p53, TNF-α, and NF-κB. In verified experiments, EFE could protect the antioxidant defense system by increasing the levels of glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and catalase (CAT) while reducing the content of malondialdehyde (MDA). EFE could also inhibit the expression of NF-κB and the secretion of inflammatory factors, including TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6, thereby relieving the inflammatory damage. Further mechanism studies confirmed that EFE had an excellent protective effect on cisplatin-induced intestinal injury by regulating PI3K-Akt, caspase, and NF-κB signaling pathways. Conclusion: In summary, EFE could mitigate cisplatin-induced intestinal damage by modulating oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Xia
- Institute of Special Animal and Plant Sciences of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changchun, China
- College of Life Sciences, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, China
- College of Chinese Medicinal Materials, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, China
- National and Local Joint Engineering Research Center for Ginseng Breeding and Development, Changchun, China
| | - Jun-Nan Hu
- College of Chinese Medicinal Materials, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, China
- National and Local Joint Engineering Research Center for Ginseng Breeding and Development, Changchun, China
| | - Zi Wang
- College of Chinese Medicinal Materials, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, China
| | - En-Bo Cai
- College of Chinese Medicinal Materials, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, China
| | - Shen Ren
- College of Chinese Medicinal Materials, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, China
| | - Ying-Ping Wang
- Institute of Special Animal and Plant Sciences of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changchun, China
- College of Chinese Medicinal Materials, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, China
- National and Local Joint Engineering Research Center for Ginseng Breeding and Development, Changchun, China
| | - Xiu-Juan Lei
- College of Chinese Medicinal Materials, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, China
- National and Local Joint Engineering Research Center for Ginseng Breeding and Development, Changchun, China
- *Correspondence: Xiu-Juan Lei, ; Wei Li,
| | - Wei Li
- Institute of Special Animal and Plant Sciences of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changchun, China
- College of Life Sciences, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, China
- College of Chinese Medicinal Materials, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, China
- National and Local Joint Engineering Research Center for Ginseng Breeding and Development, Changchun, China
- *Correspondence: Xiu-Juan Lei, ; Wei Li,
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10
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Zhang X, You LY, Zhang ZY, Jiang DX, Qiu Y, Ruan YP, Mao ZJ. Integrating pharmacological evaluation and computational identification for deciphering the action mechanism of Yunpi-Huoxue-Sanjie formula alleviates diabetic cardiomyopathy. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:957829. [PMID: 36147338 PMCID: PMC9487204 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.957829] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2022] [Accepted: 08/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Yunpi-Huoxue-Sanjie (YP-SJ) formula is a Chinese herbal formula with unique advantages for the treatment of diabetic cardiovascular complications, such as Diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM). However, potential targets and molecular mechanisms remain unclear. Therefore, our research was designed to evaluate rat myocardial morphology, fat metabolism and oxidative stress to verify myocardial protective effect of YP-SJ formula in vivo. And then to explore and validate its probable mechanism through network pharmacology and experiments in vitro and in vivo. Methods: In this study, DCM rats were randomly divided into five groups: control group, model group, and three YP-SJ formula groups (low-dose, middle-dose, and high-dose groups). Experimental rats were treated with 6 g/kg/d, 12 g/kg/d and 24 g/kg/d YP-SJ formula by gavage for 10 weeks, respectively. Cardiac function of rats was measured by high-resolution small-animal imaging system. The cells were divided into control group, high glucose group, high glucose + control serum group, high glucose + dosed serum group, high glucose + NC-siRNA group, high glucose + siRNA-FoxO1 group. The extent of autophagy was measured by flow cytometry, immunofluorescence, and western blotting. Results: It was found that YP-SJ formula could effectively improve cardiac systolic function in DCM rats. We identified 46 major candidate YP-SJ formula targets that are closely related to the progression of DCM. Enrichment analysis revealed key targets of YP-SJ formula related to environmental information processing, organic systems, and the metabolic occurrence of reactive oxygen species. Meanwhile, we verified that YP-SJ formula can increase the expression of forkhead box protein O1 (FoxO1), autophagy-related protein 7 (Atg7), Beclin 1, and light chain 3 (LC3), and decrease the expression of phosphorylated FoxO1 in vitro and in vivo. The results showed that YP-SJ formula could activate the FoxO1 signaling pathway associated with DCM rats. Further experiments showed that YP-SJ formula could improve cardiac function by regulating autophagy. Conclusion: YP-SJ formula treats DCM by modulating targets that play a key role in autophagy, improving myocardial function through a multi-component, multi-level, multi-target, multi-pathway, and multi-mechanism approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Zhang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
- Chinese Medicine Plant Essential Oil Zhejiang Engineering Research Center, Zhejiang, China
| | - Li-Yan You
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
- Chinese Medicine Plant Essential Oil Zhejiang Engineering Research Center, Zhejiang, China
| | - Ze-Yu Zhang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Dong-Xiao Jiang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
- Chinese Medicine Plant Essential Oil Zhejiang Engineering Research Center, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yu Qiu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Ye-Ping Ruan
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
- Chinese Medicine Plant Essential Oil Zhejiang Engineering Research Center, Zhejiang, China
- *Correspondence: Zhu-Jun Mao, ; Ye-Ping Ruan,
| | - Zhu-Jun Mao
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
- Chinese Medicine Plant Essential Oil Zhejiang Engineering Research Center, Zhejiang, China
- *Correspondence: Zhu-Jun Mao, ; Ye-Ping Ruan,
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11
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Liu G, Li S, Zhang N, Wei N, Wang M, Liu J, Xu Y, Li Y, Sun Q, Li Y, Li F, Yu P, Liu M, Wang Y, Zhai H, Wang Y. Sequential grade evaluation method exploration of Exocarpium Citri Grandis (Huajuhong) decoction pieces based on "network prediction → grading quantization → efficacy validation". JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2022; 291:115149. [PMID: 35231589 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2022.115149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2021] [Revised: 02/08/2022] [Accepted: 02/24/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Exocarpium Citri Grandis (Huajuhong) is an authentic Chinese materia medica with excellent curative effects on relieving cough and reducing phlegm, which has been reputed as "Southern Ginseng" in China for a long history. AIM OF THE STUDY To establish a sequential grade evaluation method with strong operability and controllable quality for Huajuhong decoction pieces. MATERIALS AND METHODS (1) Indicators of ingredients and bio-effects were predicted by network pharmacology, and the potential pharmacodynamic ingredients and key targets were analyzed integrating screening results and literatures. (2) 45 batches of Huajuhong decoction pieces from different producing areas were collected and graded by original plant, planting place, and harvesting time. The chemical indicators determination of Huajuhong decoction pieces was conducted by Ultra Performance Liquid Chromatography (UPLC). (3) 112 rats with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) model were used to evaluated the efficacy within graded groups. RESULTS (1) There are 22 key targets corresponding to 20 potential ingredients related to immunity and inflammation pathways for Huajuhong. Naringin and rhoifolin were chosen as the chemical indicators, and IL-6, IL-8, MCP-1, MIP-1α, TNF-α, TGF-β1 were selected as bio-indicators for different grades of Huajuhong decoction pieces. (2) The contents of the naringin and rhoifolin can reflect the quality of different grades of Huajuhong decoction pieces. (3) The efficacy of different grades of Huajuhong decoction pieces can delay the progression of IPF in varying degrees via the selected bio-indicators' pathways. CONCLUSIONS This sequential grading evaluation method is an attempt to apply systems pharmacology which integrates network pharmacology, quantitative chemical and experiments on animals to the classification of TCM decoction pieces. Combining the concepts of traditional theory and modern technology to explain the complex grading mechanism of TCM decoction pieces is worth popularizing and applying.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guoxiu Liu
- Standardization Research Center of Traditional Chinese Medicine Dispensing, School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 102488, China
| | - Siyu Li
- Standardization Research Center of Traditional Chinese Medicine Dispensing, School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 102488, China
| | - Nan Zhang
- Standardization Research Center of Traditional Chinese Medicine Dispensing, School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 102488, China
| | - Namin Wei
- Standardization Research Center of Traditional Chinese Medicine Dispensing, School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 102488, China
| | - Mengxin Wang
- Standardization Research Center of Traditional Chinese Medicine Dispensing, School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 102488, China
| | - Jiao Liu
- Standardization Research Center of Traditional Chinese Medicine Dispensing, School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 102488, China
| | - Yan Xu
- Standardization Research Center of Traditional Chinese Medicine Dispensing, School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 102488, China
| | - Yanan Li
- Standardization Research Center of Traditional Chinese Medicine Dispensing, School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 102488, China
| | - Qianqian Sun
- Standardization Research Center of Traditional Chinese Medicine Dispensing, School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 102488, China
| | - Yixuan Li
- Standardization Research Center of Traditional Chinese Medicine Dispensing, School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 102488, China
| | - Feng Li
- Huazhou Huajuhong Medicinal Materials Development Co. LTD, Guangdong, 525199, China
| | - Pinhao Yu
- Huazhou Huajuhong Medicinal Materials Development Co. LTD, Guangdong, 525199, China
| | - Mengyu Liu
- Institute of Basic Research in Clinical Medicine, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100700, China
| | - Yanping Wang
- Institute of Basic Research in Clinical Medicine, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100700, China.
| | - Huaqiang Zhai
- Standardization Research Center of Traditional Chinese Medicine Dispensing, School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 102488, China.
| | - Yongyan Wang
- Institute of Basic Research in Clinical Medicine, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100700, China
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12
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Wang C, Wang P, Chen W, Bai Y. Mechanisms of Gynostemma pentaphyllum against non-alcoholic fibre liver disease based on network pharmacology and molecular docking. J Cell Mol Med 2022; 26:3760-3771. [PMID: 35665440 PMCID: PMC9258700 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.17410] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2021] [Revised: 04/14/2022] [Accepted: 05/11/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
As a progressive chronic disease, the effective treatment for non‐alcoholic fibre liver disease (NAFLD) has not yet been thoroughly explored at the moment. The widespread use of Gynostemma pentaphyllum (Thunb) for its anti‐insulin resistance effect indicates that potential therapeutic value may be found in Thunb for NAFLD. Hence, this research aims to discover the latent mechanism of Thunb for NAFLD treatment. To achieve the goal of discovering the latent mechanism of Thunb for NAFLD treatment, molecular docking strategy integrated a network phamacology was adopted in the exploration. We acquire Thunb compounds with activeness from TCMSP database. We collect the putative targets of Thunb and NAFLD to generate the network. Key targets and mechanism are screened by PPI analysis, GO and KEGG pathway enrichment analyses. Molecular docking simulation is introduced into the study as assessment method. Through network analysis and virtual screening based on molecular docking, 2 targets (AKT 1 and GSK3B) are identified as key therapeutic targets with satisfying binding affinity. Main mechanism is believed to be the biological process and pathway related to insulin resistance according to the enrichment analyses outcomes. Particularly, the P13K–AKT signalling pathway is recognized as a key pathway of the mechanism. In conclusion, the study shows that Thunb could be a potential treatment against NAFLD and may suppress insulin resistance through the P13K–AKT signalling pathway. The result of the exploration provides a novel perspective for approaching experimental exploration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cunzhi Wang
- Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, Shandong, China.,Shandong Provincial Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Pengrui Wang
- Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, Shandong, China.,Shandong Provincial Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Wenbin Chen
- Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, Shandong, China.,Shandong Provincial Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Yanyan Bai
- Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, Shandong, China.,Shandong Provincial Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
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13
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Investigation of the Potential Key Genes and the Multitarget Mechanisms of Polygonum cuspidatum against Heart Failure Based on Network Pharmacology and Experimental Validation. DISEASE MARKERS 2022; 2022:7784021. [PMID: 35669500 PMCID: PMC9167087 DOI: 10.1155/2022/7784021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2021] [Revised: 03/19/2022] [Accepted: 04/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
In this study, systematic pharmacology and bioinformatic approaches were employed to identify the potential targets of Polygonum cuspidatum (PC) for treating heart failure (HF). The active ingredients of PC were screened by using the TCMSP database, and HF-related genes were identified in the GEO database. Then, the herb-HF targeted-gene networks were constructed using Cytoscape software. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) functional analyses were performed to obtain the enriched molecular pathways associated with the pathogenesis of HF. Finally, in vitro experiment was performed to evidence network pharmacology analysis. 170 intersection genes were obtained, and key genes (FOXO3, NFKB1, and TNF) were identified. Besides, GO and KEGG findings indicated that PC treatment of HF was achieved via regulating apoptosis, IL-17 signaling pathway, TNF signaling pathway, response to oxidative stress, and response to reactive oxygen species. And cell experiment revealed that PC could decrease the expression of NFKB1 and TNF and increase the expression of FOXO3, SOD1, and GPX1 in H9C2 cells. These findings showed that the therapeutic mechanism of PC in the treatment of HF may be associated with the regulation of inflammation-related and oxidative stress-related genes.
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14
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Zhao C, Wei X, Guo J, Ding Y, Luo J, Yang X, Li J, Wan G, Yu J, Shi J. Dose Optimization of Anxiolytic Compounds Group in Valeriana jatamansi Jones and Mechanism Exploration by Integrating Network Pharmacology and Metabolomics Analysis. Brain Sci 2022; 12:brainsci12050589. [PMID: 35624976 PMCID: PMC9138999 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci12050589] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2022] [Revised: 04/26/2022] [Accepted: 04/28/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Anxiety disorder impacts the quality of life of the patients. The 95% ethanol extract of rhizomes and roots of Valeriana jatamansi Jones (Zhi zhu xiang, ZZX) has previously been shown to be effective for the treatment of anxiety disorder. In this study, the dose ratio of each component of the anxiolytic compounds group (ACG) in a 95% ethanol extract of ZZX was optimized by a uniform design experiment and mathematical modeling. The anxiolytic effect of ACG was verified by behavioral experiments and biochemical index measurement. Network pharmacology was used to determine potential action targets, as well as predict biological processes and signaling pathways, which were then verified by molecular docking analysis. Metabolomics was then used to screen and analyze metabolites in the rat hippocampus before and after the administration of ZZX-ACG. Finally, the results of metabolomics and network pharmacology were integrated to clarify the anti-anxiety mechanism of the ACG. The optimal dose ratio of ACG in 95% ethanol extract of ZZX was obtained, and our results suggest that ACG may regulate ALB, AKT1, PTGS2, CYP3A4, ESR1, CASP3, CYP2B6, EGFR, SRC, MMP9, IGF1, and MAPK8, as well as the prolactin signaling pathway, estrogen signaling pathway, and arachidonic acid metabolism pathway, thus affecting the brain neurotransmitters and HPA axis hormone levels to play an anxiolytic role, directly or indirectly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chengbowen Zhao
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 102488, China; (C.Z.); (X.W.); (Y.D.); (J.L.); (X.Y.); (J.L.); (G.W.); (J.Y.)
- Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100007, China
| | - Xiaojia Wei
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 102488, China; (C.Z.); (X.W.); (Y.D.); (J.L.); (X.Y.); (J.L.); (G.W.); (J.Y.)
| | - Jianyou Guo
- CAS Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100083, China;
| | - Yongsheng Ding
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 102488, China; (C.Z.); (X.W.); (Y.D.); (J.L.); (X.Y.); (J.L.); (G.W.); (J.Y.)
| | - Jing Luo
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 102488, China; (C.Z.); (X.W.); (Y.D.); (J.L.); (X.Y.); (J.L.); (G.W.); (J.Y.)
| | - Xue Yang
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 102488, China; (C.Z.); (X.W.); (Y.D.); (J.L.); (X.Y.); (J.L.); (G.W.); (J.Y.)
| | - Jiayuan Li
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 102488, China; (C.Z.); (X.W.); (Y.D.); (J.L.); (X.Y.); (J.L.); (G.W.); (J.Y.)
| | - Guohui Wan
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 102488, China; (C.Z.); (X.W.); (Y.D.); (J.L.); (X.Y.); (J.L.); (G.W.); (J.Y.)
| | - Jiahe Yu
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 102488, China; (C.Z.); (X.W.); (Y.D.); (J.L.); (X.Y.); (J.L.); (G.W.); (J.Y.)
| | - Jinli Shi
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 102488, China; (C.Z.); (X.W.); (Y.D.); (J.L.); (X.Y.); (J.L.); (G.W.); (J.Y.)
- Correspondence:
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15
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Wu J, Wang K, Liu Q, Li Y, Huang Y, Liu Y, Cai J, Yin C, Li X, Yu H, Meng W, Wang H, Lu A, Li Y, Guan D. An Integrative Pharmacology Model for Decoding the Underlying Therapeutic Mechanisms of Ermiao Powder for Rheumatoid Arthritis. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:801350. [PMID: 35281924 PMCID: PMC8905663 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.801350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2021] [Accepted: 01/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
As a systemic inflammatory arthritis disease, rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is complex and hereditary. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has evident advantages in treating complex diseases, and a variety of TCM formulas have been reported that have effective treatment on RA. Clinical and pharmacological studies showed that Ermiao Powder, which consists of Phellodendron amurense Rupr. (PAR) and Atractylodes lancea (Thunb.) DC. (ALD), can be used in the treatment of RA. Currently, most studies focus on the anti-inflammatory mechanism of PAR and ALD and are less focused on their coordinated molecular mechanism. In this research, we established an integrative pharmacological strategy to explore the coordinated molecular mechanism of the two herbs of Ermiao Powder in treating RA. To explore the potential coordinated mechanism of PAR and ALD, we firstly developed a novel mathematical model to calculate the contribution score of 126 active components and 85 active components, which contributed 90% of the total contribution scores that were retained to construct the coordinated functional space. Then, the knapsack algorithm was applied to identify the core coordinated functional components from the 85 active components. Finally, we obtained the potential coordinated functional components group (CFCG) with 37 components, including wogonin, paeonol, ethyl caffeate, and magnoflorine. Also, functional enrichment analysis was performed on the targets of CFCG to explore the potential coordinated molecular mechanisms of PAR and ALD. The results indicated that the CFCG could treat RA by coordinated targeting to the genes involved in immunity and inflammation-related signal pathways, such as phosphatidylinositol 3‑kinase/protein kinase B signaling pathway, mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathway, tumor necrosis factor signaling pathway, and nuclear factor-kappa B signaling pathway. The docking and in vitro experiments were used to predict the affinity and validate the effect of CFCG and further confirm the reliability of our method. Our integrative pharmacological strategy, including CFCG identification and verification, can provide the methodological references for exploring the coordinated mechanism of TCM in treating complex diseases and contribute to improving our understanding of the coordinated mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Wu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Single Cell Technology and Application, Guangzhou, China
| | - Kexin Wang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- Neurosurgery Institute, Department of Neurosurgery, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qinwen Liu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Single Cell Technology and Application, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yi Li
- Department of Radiology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yingying Huang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yujie Liu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Single Cell Technology and Application, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jieqi Cai
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Single Cell Technology and Application, Guangzhou, China
| | - Chuanhui Yin
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Single Cell Technology and Application, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaowei Li
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Single Cell Technology and Application, Guangzhou, China
| | - Hailang Yu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Single Cell Technology and Application, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wei Meng
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Single Cell Technology and Application, Guangzhou, China
| | - Handuo Wang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Single Cell Technology and Application, Guangzhou, China
| | - Aiping Lu
- Institute of Integrated Bioinformedicine and Translational Science, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong, China
- Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Joint Lab on Chinese Medicine and Immune Disease Research, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yazi Li
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Single Cell Technology and Application, Guangzhou, China
| | - Daogang Guan
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Single Cell Technology and Application, Guangzhou, China
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16
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Guo W, Ma H, Wang CZ, Wan JY, Yao H, Yuan CS. Epigenetic Studies of Chinese Herbal Medicine: Pleiotropic Role of DNA Methylation. Front Pharmacol 2021; 12:790321. [PMID: 34950039 PMCID: PMC8688941 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.790321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2021] [Accepted: 11/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Accumulating knowledge has been achieved on DNA methylation participating in numerous cellular processes and multiple human diseases; however, few studies have addressed the pleiotropic role of DNA methylation in Chinese herbal medicine (CHM). CHM has been used worldwide for the prevention and treatment of multiple diseases. Newly developed epigenetic techniques have brought great opportunities for the development of CHM. In this review, we summarize the DNA methylation studies and portray the pleiotropic role of DNA methylation in CHM. DNA methylation serves as a mediator participating in plant responses to environmental factors, and thus affecting CHM medicinal plants growth and bioactive compound biosynthesis which are vital for therapeutic effects. Furthermore, DNA methylation helps to uncover the pharmaceutical mechanisms of CHM formulae, herbs, and herbal-derived compounds. It also provides scientific validation for constitution theory and other essential issues of CHM. This newly developed field of DNA methylation is up-and-coming to address many complicated scientific questions of CHM; it thus not only promotes disease treatment but also facilitates health maintenance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenqian Guo
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China.,National Institute of TCM Constitution and Preventive Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Han Ma
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China.,National Institute of TCM Constitution and Preventive Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Chong-Zhi Wang
- Tang Center for Herbal Medicine Research, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States.,Department of Anesthesia and Critical Care, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Jin-Yi Wan
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China.,National Institute of TCM Constitution and Preventive Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Haiqiang Yao
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China.,National Institute of TCM Constitution and Preventive Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Chun-Su Yuan
- Tang Center for Herbal Medicine Research, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States.,Department of Anesthesia and Critical Care, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
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17
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Wu D, Li X, Liu J, Hu C, Li J. Wutou decoction attenuates rheumatoid arthritis by modulating the Ahr/LOC101928120/SHC1 pathway. PHARMACEUTICAL BIOLOGY 2021; 59:811-822. [PMID: 34184948 PMCID: PMC8245077 DOI: 10.1080/13880209.2021.1941131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2021] [Revised: 05/11/2021] [Accepted: 06/03/2021] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
CONTEXT Wutou decoction (WTD) is a Chinese herbal formula alleviating rheumatoid arthritis (RA). SHC adaptor protein 1 (SHC1) regulates apoptosis, inflammation, and the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). The LOC101928120 gene is located near the SHC1 gene. Bioinformatics analysis showed that the long non-coding RNA LOC101928120 binds to histone deacetylase HDAC1 that might regulate SHC1 expression. The LOC101928120 gene might be targeted by the transcriptional factor Aryl hydrocarbon receptor (Ahr). OBJECTIVE This study determines the involvement of the Ahr/LOC101928120/SHC1 pathway in WTD alleviation of RA. MATERIALS AND METHODS Wistar rats were injected with complete Freund's adjuvant in the hind footpad to construe the RA model. WTD (9.8 g/kg/day) was administered intragastrically for 15 days. The CHON-001 chondrocyte cells were treated with IL-1β (10 ng/mL) alone or in combination with WTD (1 μg/mL). A RNA pull-down assay was performed to determine the interaction between LOC101928120 and HDAC1. Ahr targeting the LOC101928120 gene was detected using luciferase reporter and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays. RESULTS WTD alleviated the swelling of the hind paw in rats with RA and suppressed the chondrocyte apoptosis and ROS production caused by IL-1β. WTD decreased SHC1 but increased LOC101928120 in IL-1β-treated chondrocytes. SHC1 knockdown and LOC101928120 overexpression also showed the protection. However, LOC101928120 knockdown attenuated the protective effects of WTD. WTD stimulated Ahr, which promoted LOC101928120 transcription. LOC101928120 recruited HDAC1 to the promoter region of the SHC1 gene, thereby decreasing SHC1. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION This study revealed a new mechanism by which WTD alleviates RA by modulating the Ahr/LOC101928120/SHC1 pathway.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Arthritis, Experimental/chemically induced
- Arthritis, Experimental/drug therapy
- Arthritis, Experimental/metabolism
- Arthritis, Rheumatoid/chemically induced
- Arthritis, Rheumatoid/drug therapy
- Arthritis, Rheumatoid/metabolism
- Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors/agonists
- Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors/biosynthesis
- Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology
- Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use
- Freund's Adjuvant
- Inflammation Mediators/antagonists & inhibitors
- Inflammation Mediators/metabolism
- Male
- Rats
- Rats, Wistar
- Receptors, Aryl Hydrocarbon/agonists
- Receptors, Aryl Hydrocarbon/biosynthesis
- Src Homology 2 Domain-Containing, Transforming Protein 1/antagonists & inhibitors
- Src Homology 2 Domain-Containing, Transforming Protein 1/biosynthesis
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan Wu
- Traditional Chinese Medicine Department, The Fourth Hospital of Changsha, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Xi Li
- Traditional Chinese Medicine Department, The Fourth Hospital of Changsha, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Jun Liu
- Traditional Chinese Medicine Department, The Fourth Hospital of Changsha, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Can Hu
- Traditional Chinese Medicine Department, The Fourth Hospital of Changsha, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Jiefang Li
- Traditional Chinese Medicine Department, The Fourth Hospital of Changsha, Changsha, Hunan, China
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18
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Venkateswaran MR, Vadivel TE, Jayabal S, Murugesan S, Rajasekaran S, Periyasamy S. A review on network pharmacology based phytotherapy in treating diabetes- An environmental perspective. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2021; 202:111656. [PMID: 34265348 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2021.111656] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2021] [Revised: 06/19/2021] [Accepted: 07/04/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Diabetes has become common lifestyle disorder associated with obesity and cardiovascular diseases. Environmental factors like physical inactivity, polluted surroundings and unhealthy dieting also plays a vital role in diabetes pathogenesis. As the current anti-diabetic drugs possess unprecedented side effects, traditional herbal medicine can be used an alternative therapy. The paramount challenge with the herbal formulation usage is the lack of standardized procedure, entangled with little knowledge on drug safety and mechanism of drug action. Heavy metal contamination is a major environmental hazard where plants tend to accumulate toxic metals like nickel, chromium and lead through industrial and agricultural activities. It becomes inappropriate to use these plants for phytotherapy as it may affect the human health on long term consumption. This review discuss about the environmental risk factors related to diabetes and better implication of medicinal plants in anti-diabetic therapy using network pharmacology. It is an in silico analytical tool that helps to unravel the multi-targeted action of herbal formulations rich in secondary metabolites. Also, a special focus is attempted to pool the databases regarding the medicinal plants for diabetes and associated diseases, their bioactive compounds, possible diabetic targets, drug-target interaction and toxicology reports that may open an aisle in safer, effective and toxicity-free drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meenakshi R Venkateswaran
- Department of Biotechnology, Anna University, BIT-Campus, Tiruchirappalli, 620024, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Tamil Elakkiya Vadivel
- Department of Biotechnology, Anna University, BIT-Campus, Tiruchirappalli, 620024, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Sasidharan Jayabal
- Department of Biotechnology, Anna University, BIT-Campus, Tiruchirappalli, 620024, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Selvakumar Murugesan
- Department of Biotechnology, Anna University, BIT-Campus, Tiruchirappalli, 620024, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Subbiah Rajasekaran
- Department of Biochemistry, ICMR-National Institute for Research in Environmental Health, Bhopal, India.
| | - Sureshkumar Periyasamy
- Department of Biotechnology, Anna University, BIT-Campus, Tiruchirappalli, 620024, Tamil Nadu, India.
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19
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Wang X, Sun Y, Ling L, Ren X, Liu X, Wang Y, Dong Y, Ma J, Song R, Yu A, Wei J, Fan Q, Guo M, Zhao T, Dao R, She G. Gaultheria leucocarpa var. yunnanensis for Treating Rheumatoid Arthritis-An Assessment Combining Machine Learning-Guided ADME Properties Prediction, Network Pharmacology, and Pharmacological Assessment. Front Pharmacol 2021; 12:704040. [PMID: 34671253 PMCID: PMC8520986 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.704040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2021] [Accepted: 08/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Dianbaizhu (Gaultheria leucocarpa var. yunnanensis), a traditional Chinese/ethnic medicine (TC/EM), has been used to treat rheumatoid arthritis (RA) for a long time. The anti-rheumatic arthritis fraction (ARF) of G. yunnanensis has significant anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities and is mainly composed of methyl salicylate glycosides, flavonoids, organic acids, and others. The effective ingredients and rudimentary mechanism of ARF remedying RA have not been elucidated to date. Purpose: The aim of the present study is to give an insight into the effective components and mechanisms of Dianbaizhu in ameliorating RA, based on the estimation of the absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME) properties, analysis of network pharmacology, and in vivo and in vitro validations. Study design and methods: The IL-1β-induced human fibroblast-like synoviocytes of RA (HFLS-RA) model and adjuvant-induced arthritis in the rat model were adopted to assess the anti-RA effect of ARF. The components in ARF were identified by using UHPLC-LTQ-Orbitrap-MSn. The quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) models were developed by using five machine learning algorithms, alone or in combination with genetic algorithms for predicting the ADME properties of ARF. The molecular networks and pathways presumably referring to the therapy of ARF on RA were yielded by using common databases and visible software, and the experimental validations of the key targets conducted in vitro. Results: ARF effectively relieved RA in vivo and in vitro. The five optimized QSAR models that were developed showed robustness and predictive ability. The characterized 48 components in ARF had good biological potency. Four key signaling pathways were obtained, which were related to both cytokine signaling and cell immune response. ARF suppressed IL-1β-induced expression of EGFR, MMP 9, IL2, MAPK14, and KDR in the HFLS-RA . Conclusions: ARF has good druggability and high exploitation potential. Methyl salicylate glycosides and flavonoids play essential roles in attuning RA. ARF may partially attenuate RA by regulating the expression of multi-targets in the inflammation-immune system. These provide valuable information to rationalize ARF and other TC/EMs in the treatment of RA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiuhuan Wang
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China.,Beijing Key Laboratory for Quality Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing, China
| | - Youyi Sun
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Ling Ling
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Xueyang Ren
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China.,Beijing Key Laboratory for Quality Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaoyun Liu
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China.,Beijing Key Laboratory for Quality Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing, China
| | - Yu Wang
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China.,Beijing Key Laboratory for Quality Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing, China
| | - Ying Dong
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China.,Beijing Key Laboratory for Quality Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing, China
| | - Jiamu Ma
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China.,Beijing Key Laboratory for Quality Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing, China
| | - Ruolan Song
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China.,Beijing Key Laboratory for Quality Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing, China
| | - Axiang Yu
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China.,Beijing Key Laboratory for Quality Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing, China
| | - Jing Wei
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China.,Beijing Key Laboratory for Quality Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing, China
| | - Qiqi Fan
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China.,Beijing Key Laboratory for Quality Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing, China
| | - Miaoxian Guo
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Tiantian Zhao
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Rina Dao
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Gaimei She
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China.,Beijing Key Laboratory for Quality Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing, China
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20
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Ba X, Huang Y, Shen P, Huang Y, Wang H, Han L, Lin WJ, Yan HJ, Xu LJ, Qin K, Chen Z, Tu SH. WTD Attenuating Rheumatoid Arthritis via Suppressing Angiogenesis and Modulating the PI3K/AKT/mTOR/HIF-1α Pathway. Front Pharmacol 2021; 12:696802. [PMID: 34646130 PMCID: PMC8502817 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.696802] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2021] [Accepted: 08/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Wutou Decoction (WTD), as a classic prescription, has been generally used to treat rheumatoid arthritis (RA) for two thousand years in China. However, the potential protective effects of WTD on rheumatoid arthritis and its possible mechanism have rarely been reported. Purpose: The aim of this study was to explore the possible mechanism of WTD against RA and a promising alternative candidate for RA therapy. Methods: A model of collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) was constructed in rats to assess the therapeutic effects of WTD. Histopathological staining, immunofluorescence, and western blotting of synovial sections were conducted to detect the antiangiogenic effects of WTD. Then, cell viability assays, flow cytometry, scratch healing assays, and invasion assays were conducted to explore the effects of WTD on MH7A human fibroblast-like synoviocyte (FLS) cell proliferation, apoptosis, migration, and invasion in vitro. The ability of WTD to induce blood vessel formation after MH7A cell and human umbilical vein endothelial cell line (HUVEC) coculture with WTD intervention was detected by a tube formation assay. The mechanisms of WTD were screened by network pharmacology and confirmed by in vivo and in vitro experiments. Results: WTD ameliorated the symptoms and synovial pannus hyperplasia of CIA rats. Treatment with WTD inhibited MH7A cell proliferation, migration, and invasion and promoted MH7A apoptosis. WTD could inhibit MH7A cell expression of proangiogenic factors, including VEGF and ANGI, to induce HUVEC tube formation. Furthermore, the PI3K-AKT-mTOR-HIF-1α pathway was enriched as a potential target of WTD for the treatment of RA through network pharmacology enrichment analysis. Finally, it was confirmed in vitro and in vivo that WTD inhibits angiogenesis in RA by interrupting the PI3K-AKT-mTOR-HIF-1α pathway. Conclusion: WTD can inhibit synovial hyperplasia and angiogenesis, presumably by inhibiting the migration and invasion of MH7A cells and blocking the production of proangiogenic effectors in MH7A cells. The possible underlying mechanism by which WTD ameliorates angiogenesis in RA is the PI3K-AKT-mTOR-HIF-1α pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Ba
- Institute of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Ying Huang
- Institute of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.,Department of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Pan Shen
- Institute of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yao Huang
- Institute of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Hui Wang
- Rehabilitation and Sports Medicine Research Institute of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, People's Hospital of Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China
| | - Liang Han
- Institute of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Wei Ji Lin
- Institute of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Hui Jia Yan
- Institute of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Li Jun Xu
- Institute of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Kai Qin
- Department of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Zhe Chen
- Institute of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.,Department of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Sheng Hao Tu
- Institute of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.,Department of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
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21
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Li Y, Gong Y, Zhang X, Wang J, Cheng Y, Liu F, Shi X, Xu W, Dong L. Exploring the synergistic mechanism of Gegen Qinlian Decoction on the Wnt signaling pathway using an integrated strategy of network pharmacology and RNA-seq. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2021; 278:114283. [PMID: 34098017 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2021.114283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2021] [Revised: 03/27/2021] [Accepted: 05/30/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Gegen Qinlian Decoction (GQD) (including: Puerariae lobatae (Willd.) Ohwi, radix; (short for Gengen) Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch., root and rhizome (short for Gancao), honeyed; Coptis chinensis Franch., rhizome (short for Huanglian); Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi, radix, boiled (short for S. baicalensis) has been widely used to treat inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and colorectal cancer (CRC). To explore compatibility mechanism of GQD could be of advantage to investigate the complex principle of TCM, which might be conducive to the exploration of the modernization of TCM. AIM OF REVIEW In this study, a strategy based on system pharmacology was constructed to uncover the multi-target regulation and compatibility mechanism of GQD on the Wnt signaling pathways. MATERIAL AND METHODS The pharmacological network of GQD was constructed by TCMSP, DAVID, Uniprote database. The cell growth inhibitory effects of puerarin (PUE), wogonin (WOG), berberine (BER), and glycyrrhetinic acid (GLY) on SW480 cells were assessed using CCK-8 assay. The multi-target regulation and compatibility mechanism of combination PUE with GLY were examined by RNA-seq, HPLC-QQQ/MS, qRT- PCR and Western blot analysis. RESULTS Network pharmacology analysis indicated that PUE, WOG, BER and GLY were the active components in GQD and had a synergistic effect on the targets of the Wnt signaling pathway. Additionally, pharmacological experiments revealed that WOG, BER, and GLY inhibited activity of colorectal cancer (CRC) cell lines SW480 cells, and that PUE only exhibited effective antitumour activity when combined with GLY. CTNNB1, CCND1 and SMAD4 were identified as synergistic targets inhibited by PUE-GLY. Moreover, PUE-GLY could influence the Wnt signaling pathway by upregulating GSK3B and downregulating CTNNB1 synergistically. It also showed that GLY could effectively increase the intracellular content of PUE based on HPLC-QQQ/MS analysis, and this process was achieved by influencing the targets of the membrane's pathway, such as cell adhesion molecules, focal adhesion, and tight junctions. CONCLUSION GLY was revealed a multi-target mechanism, which could downregulate CTNNB1 as the active component and intervene in membrane proteins (CDH1, CADM1, ITGB2, ICAM1, ITGA1) as 'guide' in the formulae. Moreover, the mechanism of synergistic antitumour action of PUE (the active component of Monarch drug) and GLY (the active component of Guide drug) on the Wnt signaling pathway was explored systematically. It was a promising breakthrough for elucidating the scientific connotation of the compatibility of TCM formulae and provide a valuable and practicable methodology for clarifying the mechanisms of TCM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanping Li
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, No. 11, Bei San Huan Dong Lu, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100029, China
| | - Yiting Gong
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, No. 11, Bei San Huan Dong Lu, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100029, China
| | - Xin Zhang
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, No. 11, Bei San Huan Dong Lu, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100029, China
| | - Jiaxin Wang
- School of Life Sciences, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, No. 11, Bei San Huan Dong Lu, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100029, China
| | - Yaru Cheng
- School of Life Sciences, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, No. 11, Bei San Huan Dong Lu, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100029, China
| | - Fen Liu
- School of Life Sciences, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, No. 11, Bei San Huan Dong Lu, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100029, China
| | - Xiujia Shi
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, No. 11, Bei San Huan Dong Lu, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100029, China
| | - Wenjuan Xu
- School of Life Sciences, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, No. 11, Bei San Huan Dong Lu, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100029, China.
| | - Ling Dong
- School of Life Sciences, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, No. 11, Bei San Huan Dong Lu, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100029, China.
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22
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Yang T, Chen X, Mei Z, Liu X, Feng Z, Liao J, Deng Y, Ge J. An Integrated Analysis of Network Pharmacology and Experimental Validation to Reveal the Mechanism of Chinese Medicine Formula Naotaifang in Treating Cerebral Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury. Drug Des Devel Ther 2021; 15:3783-3808. [PMID: 34522084 PMCID: PMC8434864 DOI: 10.2147/dddt.s328837] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2021] [Accepted: 08/20/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury (CIRI) is a crucial factor leading to a poor prognosis for ischemic stroke patients. As a novel Chinese medicine formula, Naotaifang (NTF) was proven to exhibit a neuroprotective effect against ischemic stroke, clinically, and to alleviate CIRI in animals. However, the mechanisms underlying the beneficial effect have not been fully elucidated. METHODS In this study, we combined a network pharmacology approach and an in vivo experiment to explore the specific effects and underlying mechanisms of NTF in the treatment of ischemia-reperfusion injury. A research strategy based on network pharmacology, combining target prediction, network construction, gene ontology (GO), Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis, and molecular docking was used to predict the targets of NTF in treating the ischemic stroke and CIRI. On the other hand, we used HPLC and HRMS to identify biologically active components of NTF. Middle cerebral artery occlusion models in rats were utilized to evaluate the effect and the underlying mechanisms of NTF against CIRI after ischemic stroke. RESULTS Network pharmacology analysis revealed 43 potential targets and 14 signaling pathways for the treatment of NTF against CIRI after ischemic stroke. Functional enrichment analysis showed that a STAT3/PI3K/AKT signaling pathway serves as the target for in vivo experimental study validation. The results of animal experiments showed that NTF significantly alleviated CIRI by decreasing neurological score, infarct volume, numbers of apoptotic neuronal cells, increasing density of dendritic spines and survival of neurons. Furthermore, NTF could increase the expression of p-STAT3, PI3K, p-AKT. In addition, the detection of apoptosis-related factors showed that the NTF could raise the expression of Bcl-2 and reduce the expression of Bax. CONCLUSION This network pharmacological and experimental study indicated that NTF, as a therapeutic candidate for the management of CIRI following ischemic stroke, may exert a protective effect through the STAT3/PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tong Yang
- Key Laboratory of Hunan Province for Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine on Prevention and Treatment of Cardio-Cerebral Diseases, College of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xiangyu Chen
- Key Laboratory of Hunan Province for Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine on Prevention and Treatment of Cardio-Cerebral Diseases, College of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan, People’s Republic of China
| | - Zhigang Mei
- Key Laboratory of Hunan Province for Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine on Prevention and Treatment of Cardio-Cerebral Diseases, College of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan, People’s Republic of China
- Third-Grade Pharmacological Laboratory on Chinese Medicine Approved by State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Medical College of China Three Gorges University, Yichang, Hubei, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xiaolu Liu
- Third-Grade Pharmacological Laboratory on Chinese Medicine Approved by State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Medical College of China Three Gorges University, Yichang, Hubei, People’s Republic of China
| | - Zhitao Feng
- Third-Grade Pharmacological Laboratory on Chinese Medicine Approved by State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Medical College of China Three Gorges University, Yichang, Hubei, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jun Liao
- Key Laboratory of Hunan Province for Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine on Prevention and Treatment of Cardio-Cerebral Diseases, College of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yihui Deng
- Key Laboratory of Hunan Province for Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine on Prevention and Treatment of Cardio-Cerebral Diseases, College of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jinwen Ge
- Key Laboratory of Hunan Province for Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine on Prevention and Treatment of Cardio-Cerebral Diseases, College of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan, People’s Republic of China
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23
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Cheng X, Lu E, Fan M, Pi Z, Zheng Z, Liu S, Song F, Liu Z. A comprehensive strategy to clarify the pharmacodynamic constituents and mechanism of Wu-tou decoction based on the constituents migrating to blood and their in vivo process under pathological state. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2021; 275:114172. [PMID: 33932514 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2021.114172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2021] [Revised: 04/22/2021] [Accepted: 04/24/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE As a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formula, Wu-tou decoction has been used for treating rheumatoid arthritis (RA) for more than a thousand years. Identifying pharmacodynamic constituents (PCs) of WTD and exploring their in vivo process are very meaningful for promoting the modernization of TCM. However, the pathological state might change this process. AIM OF THE STUDY Hence, it is necessary and significant to compare the process in vivo of drugs both in normal and disease state and clarify their action mechanism. MATERIALS AND METHODS Taking Wu-tou decoction (WTD) as the research object, a comprehensive strategy based on liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (LC-MS) was developed to identify PCs, clarify and compare their absorption and distribution in normal and model rats, and then explore the potential mechanism of TCM. Firstly, the PCs in WTD were identified. Then, the pharmacokinetics (PK) and tissue distribution of these ingredients were studied. Finally, the constituents with the difference between normal and model rats were selected for target network pharmacological analysis to clarify the mechanism. RESULTS A total of 27 PCs of WTD were identified. The absorption and distribution of 20 PCs were successfully analyzed. In the disease state, the absorption and distribution of all these components were improved to have better treatment effects. The results of target network pharmacological analysis indicated that PTGS1, PTGS2, ABCB1, SLC6A4, CHRM2, ESR1, ESR2, CDK2, TNF and IL-6 are 10 key targets for WTD against RA. The regulatory effects of WTD on the expression of PTGS2 and TNF were further verified. Pathway enrichment analysis showed that the key mechanism of WTD against RA is to reduce inflammation and regulate the immune response. CONCLUSION These results indicated that this strategy could better understand the in vivo process and mechanism of WTD under the pathological state. Furthermore, this strategy is also appropriate for other TCM.
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MESH Headings
- Administration, Oral
- Animals
- Antirheumatic Agents/administration & dosage
- Antirheumatic Agents/chemistry
- Antirheumatic Agents/pharmacokinetics
- Antirheumatic Agents/pharmacology
- Arthritis, Experimental/chemically induced
- Arthritis, Experimental/drug therapy
- Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid
- Cyclooxygenase 2/metabolism
- Disease Models, Animal
- Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage
- Drugs, Chinese Herbal/chemistry
- Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacokinetics
- Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology
- Glycyrrhizic Acid/blood
- Glycyrrhizic Acid/chemistry
- Inflammation/metabolism
- Lipopolysaccharides/toxicity
- Male
- Mass Spectrometry
- Medicine, Chinese Traditional
- Metabolic Networks and Pathways/drug effects
- Mice
- RAW 264.7 Cells
- Rats, Sprague-Dawley
- Tissue Distribution
- Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/metabolism
- Rats
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoxu Cheng
- State Key Laboratory of Electroanalytical Chemistry, National Center of Mass Spectrometry in Changchun and Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine Chemistry and Mass Spectrometry, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 130022, Changchun, China; School of Applied Chemistry and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, 230026, Hefei, China
| | - Enyu Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Electroanalytical Chemistry, National Center of Mass Spectrometry in Changchun and Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine Chemistry and Mass Spectrometry, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 130022, Changchun, China; School of Applied Chemistry and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, 230026, Hefei, China
| | - Meiling Fan
- Key Laboratory of Medicinal Materials, Jilin Academy of Chinese Medicine Sciences, 130021, Changchun, China
| | - Zifeng Pi
- State Key Laboratory of Electroanalytical Chemistry, National Center of Mass Spectrometry in Changchun and Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine Chemistry and Mass Spectrometry, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 130022, Changchun, China; Changchun Sunnytech Co.,Ltd., 130061, Changchun, China.
| | - Zhong Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Electroanalytical Chemistry, National Center of Mass Spectrometry in Changchun and Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine Chemistry and Mass Spectrometry, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 130022, Changchun, China
| | - Shu Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Electroanalytical Chemistry, National Center of Mass Spectrometry in Changchun and Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine Chemistry and Mass Spectrometry, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 130022, Changchun, China
| | - Fengrui Song
- State Key Laboratory of Electroanalytical Chemistry, National Center of Mass Spectrometry in Changchun and Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine Chemistry and Mass Spectrometry, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 130022, Changchun, China; School of Applied Chemistry and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, 230026, Hefei, China
| | - Zhiqiang Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Electroanalytical Chemistry, National Center of Mass Spectrometry in Changchun and Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine Chemistry and Mass Spectrometry, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 130022, Changchun, China; School of Applied Chemistry and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, 230026, Hefei, China.
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Jinxia L, Xiaoqing Z, Caixing Z, Lina L, Ling L. Comparison of mechanisms and efficacies of five formulas for improving blood circulation and removing blood stasis. DIGITAL CHINESE MEDICINE 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.dcmed.2021.06.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
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Sun W, Li M, Xie L, Mai Z, Zhang Y, Luo L, Yan Z, Li Z, Dong H, Huang F, Shen Z, Jiang Z. Exploring the Mechanism of Total Flavonoids of Drynariae Rhizoma to Improve Large Bone Defects by Network Pharmacology and Experimental Assessment. Front Pharmacol 2021; 12:603734. [PMID: 34149403 PMCID: PMC8210422 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.603734] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2020] [Accepted: 05/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Drynariae Rhizoma (DR) has been demonstrated to be effective in promoting fracture healing in clinical use. In the study, we tried to predicate potential signaling pathways and active ingredients of DR via network pharmacology, uncover its regulation mechanism to improve large bone defects by in vivo and in vitro experiment. We total discovered 18 potential active ingredients such as flavonoids and 81 corresponding targets, in which mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway has the highest correlation with bone defects in pathway and functional enrichment analysis. Therefore, we hypothesized that flavonoids in DR improve large bone defects by activating MAPK signaling pathway. Animal experiments were carried out and all rats randomly divided into TFDR low, medium, and high dosage group, model group and control group. 12 weeks after treatment, according to X-ray and Micro-CT, TFDR medium dosage group significantly promote new bone mineralization compared with other groups. The results of HE and Masson staining and in vitro ALP level of BMSC also demonstrated the formation of bone matrix and mineralization in the TFDR groups. Also, angiographic imaging suggested that flavonoids in DR promoting angiogenesis in the defect area. Consistently, TFDR significantly enhanced the expression of BMP-2, RUNX-2, VEGF, HIF-1 in large bone defect rats based on ELISA and Real-Time PCR. Overall, we not only discover the active ingredients of DR in this study, but also explained how flavonoids in DR regulating MAPK signaling pathway to improve large bone defects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weipeng Sun
- The First School of Clinical Medicine, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Minying Li
- Medical College of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Rehabilitation, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Lei Xie
- Science and Technology Innovation Center, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Zhexing Mai
- The Second School of Clinical Medicine, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Yan Zhang
- The First School of Clinical Medicine, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Lieliang Luo
- The First School of Clinical Medicine, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Zijian Yan
- The First School of Clinical Medicine, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Zige Li
- The First School of Clinical Medicine, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Hang Dong
- Department of Orthopaedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Feng Huang
- Department of Orthopaedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Zhen Shen
- Department of Orthopaedics, Kunming Municipal Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Kunming, Yunnan Province, China
| | - Ziwei Jiang
- Department of Orthopaedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
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Xie Y, Mai CT, Zheng DC, He YF, Feng SL, Li YZ, Liu CX, Zhou H, Liu L. Wutou decoction ameliorates experimental rheumatoid arthritis via regulating NF-kB and Nrf2: Integrating efficacy-oriented compatibility of traditional Chinese medicine. PHYTOMEDICINE : INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHYTOTHERAPY AND PHYTOPHARMACOLOGY 2021; 85:153522. [PMID: 33799223 DOI: 10.1016/j.phymed.2021.153522] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2020] [Revised: 02/10/2021] [Accepted: 02/17/2021] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Thousands of years of clinical application of Wutou decoction (WTD) support its reliable efficacy and safety in treating rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However, the underlying molecular mechanism remains unclear, and the synergistic involvement of assistant herbs in WTD in enhancing the sovereign herb in treating RA is unknown. PURPOSE This study aimed to investigate the efficacy-oriented compatibility of five herbs in WTD and the underlying mechanisms. METHODS The anti-arthritic effects of WTD and the compatibilities of the five herbs in WTD were studied in vivo with adjuvant-induced arthritis (AIA) rat model and in vitro with LPS-induced RAW264.7 macrophage. Network pharmacology analysis was conducted to identify the dominant pathways involved in the anti-arthritis mechanisms of WTD and how the five herbs work synergistically. The results were further verified by in vivo and in vitro experiments. RESULTS Our data revealed that the five herbs in WTD exert synergistic anti-arthritic effects on RA. Moreover, Radix Aconite (AC) is the principal anti-inflammatory component in WTD according to the extent of therapeutic effects exerted on the AIA rats. In vivo and in vitro experiments demonstrated that WTD inhibited NF-κB phosphorylation and simultaneously increased the expression of Nrf2, which were the major pathways identified by the network pharmacology analysis. The major assistant component, Herba Ephedrae (EP), evidently inhibited NF-κB mediated inflammatory response. The other assistant component, Radix Astragali (AS), considerably enhanced the expression of Nrf2 when used alone or in combination with AC. These combinations improved the anti-arthritis effects on the AIA rats better than that of AC alone. Nevertheless, WTD always achieved the best effects than any combinations both in vivo and in vitro. CONCLUSION The ministerial herbs EP and AS intensify the anti-arthritic effects of AC by regulating the NF-κB-mediated inflammatory pathway and the Nrf2-mediated anti-oxidation pathway which are the major pathways of WTD for alleviating the symptoms of RA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Xie
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicines, Macau University of Science and Technology, Taipa, Macau (SAR)
| | - Chu-Tian Mai
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicines, Macau University of Science and Technology, Taipa, Macau (SAR); Faculty of Chinese Medicines, Macau University of Science and Technology, Taipa, Macau (SAR)
| | - De-Chong Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicines, Macau University of Science and Technology, Taipa, Macau (SAR); Faculty of Chinese Medicines, Macau University of Science and Technology, Taipa, Macau (SAR)
| | - Yu-Fei He
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicines, Macau University of Science and Technology, Taipa, Macau (SAR)
| | - Sen-Lin Feng
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicines, Macau University of Science and Technology, Taipa, Macau (SAR)
| | - Ya-Zhou Li
- Tianjin Institute of Pharmaceutical Research, New Drug Assessment Co. Ltd, Tianjin, China
| | - Chang-Xiao Liu
- Tianjin Institute of Pharmaceutical Research, New Drug Assessment Co. Ltd, Tianjin, China
| | - Hua Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicines, Macau University of Science and Technology, Taipa, Macau (SAR); Faculty of Chinese Medicines, Macau University of Science and Technology, Taipa, Macau (SAR); Joint Laboratory for Translational Cancer Research of Chinese Medicine of the Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, Macau University of Science and Technology, Taipa, Macau (SAR).
| | - Liang Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicines, Macau University of Science and Technology, Taipa, Macau (SAR); Faculty of Chinese Medicines, Macau University of Science and Technology, Taipa, Macau (SAR); Joint Laboratory for Translational Cancer Research of Chinese Medicine of the Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, Macau University of Science and Technology, Taipa, Macau (SAR).
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Zhang K, Sun C, Hu Y, Yang J, Wu C. Network pharmacology reveals pharmacological effect and mechanism of Panax notoginseng (Burk.) F. H. Chen on reproductive and genetic toxicity in male mice. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2021; 270:113792. [PMID: 33422656 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2021.113792] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2020] [Revised: 12/05/2020] [Accepted: 01/04/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Cisplatin (CP), one of the most commonly used antitumor drugs in clinic, could induce reproductive and genetic toxicity. Traditional Chinese medicine believed that this side effect might be caused by the deficiency of both qi and blood. Panax notoginseng (Burk.) F. H. Chen (PN) is a traditional precious Chinese medicine for nourishing blood and hemostasis, which had the synergistic antitumor and reducing toxicity effects. However, the protective effect and mechanism of PN on CP-induced reproductive and genetic toxicity were still unknown. AIM OF THE STUDY This study was designed to illuminate the possible protective effect and mechanism of PN on CP-induced reproductive and genetic toxicity. MATERIALS AND METHODS Network pharmacology was first applied to analyze the potential components and targets of PN against CP-induced reproductive and genetic toxicity. Then, the results of network pharmacology were validated in a mouse model of reproductive and genotoxicity induced by CP. Body weight, testis weight, epididymis weight, sperm count, sperm viability and sperm morphology were used to assess protective effects of PN on CP-induced reproductive toxicity. Tail moment in peripheral blood cells and micronucleus in bone marrow cells were used to assess protective effects of PN on CP-induced genetic toxicity. Finally, possible protective targets obtained from network pharmacology, including 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), malondialdehyde (MDA), total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), were experimentally validated by ELISA. RESULTS One hundred and nineteen components of PN and sixty-eight targets of reproductive/genetic toxicity were acquired and constituted as the component-target network. Network pharmacology analysis showed alleviating oxidative stress might play important role in therapeutic mechanism of PN. In verified experiments, PN significantly improved the decline of body weight, testis weight and epididymis weight, increased sperm count and viability, decreased abnormal sperm morphology rate induced by CP in mice. Moreover, PN also significantly decreased the tail moment in peripheral blood cells and micronucleus formation rate in bone marrow cells in CP-induced mice. Finally, not only the decrease of T-SOD and GSH-Px level but also the increase of 8-OHdG and MDA level in serum were restored under PN treatment. CONCLUSION Current study found that PN could improve CP-induced reproductive and genetic toxicity, which were probably attributed to alleviating oxidative stress. This finding provided the new perspective for understanding the therapeutic effect of PN on CP-induced reproductive and genetic toxicity and facilitating the clinical use of PN.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kuo Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, 110016, Shenyang, PR China
| | - Chao Sun
- Department of Pharmacology, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, 110016, Shenyang, PR China
| | - Yuxuan Hu
- Department of Pharmacology, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, 110016, Shenyang, PR China
| | - Jingyu Yang
- Department of Pharmacology, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, 110016, Shenyang, PR China.
| | - Chunfu Wu
- Department of Pharmacology, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, 110016, Shenyang, PR China.
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Huang F, Guo H, Wei Y, Zhao X, Chen Y, Lin Z, Zhou Y, Sun P. In Silico Network Analysis of Ingredients of Cornus officinalis in Osteoporosis. Med Sci Monit 2021; 27:e929219. [PMID: 33795629 PMCID: PMC8023278 DOI: 10.12659/msm.929219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2020] [Accepted: 01/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cornus officinalis (CO), also known as 'Shanzhuyu', is one of the most common traditional Chinese herbs used against osteoporosis. Although previous studies have found that CO has beneficial effects in alleviating osteoporosis, its mechanisms remain unclear. MATERIAL AND METHODS In this study, we applied system bioinformatic approaches to investigate the possible therapeutic mechanisms of CO against osteoporosis. We collected the active ingredients of CO and their targets from the TCMSP, BATMAN-TCM, and ETCM databases. Next, we obtained the osteoporosis targets from differentially expressed mRNAs from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) gene series (GSE35958). Next, the shared genes of the CO pharmacological targets and osteoporosis-related targets were selected to construct the protein-protein interaction network, based on the results from the STRING database. Subsequently, Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analyses were carried out by using the clusterProfiler package in R software. RESULTS In all, there were 58 unique CO compounds and 518 therapeutic targets. Based on the GO and KEGG enrichment results of 98 common genes, we selected the top 25 terms, based on the terms' P values. We found that the anti-osteoporotic effect of CO may mostly involve the regulation of calcium metabolism and reactive oxygen species, and the estrogen signaling pathway and osteoclast differentiation pathway. CONCLUSIONS We found the possible mechanisms of CO in treating osteoporosis may be based on multiple targets and pathways. We also provided a theoretical basis and promising direction for investigating the exact anti-osteoporotic mechanisms of CO.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feiqi Huang
- First Clinical Medical College, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P.R. China
- Department of Bone Orthopedics, The First Affiliated Hospital/School of Clinical Medicine of Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P.R. China
| | - Huizhi Guo
- First Clinical Medical College, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P.R. China
| | - Yuanbiao Wei
- Department of Bone Orthopedics, The First Affiliated Hospital/School of Clinical Medicine of Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P.R. China
| | - Xiao Zhao
- Department of Bone Orthopedics, The First Affiliated Hospital/School of Clinical Medicine of Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P.R. China
| | - Yangsheng Chen
- Department of Bone Orthopedics, The First Affiliated Hospital/School of Clinical Medicine of Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P.R. China
| | - Zhan Lin
- Department of Bone Orthopedics, The First Affiliated Hospital/School of Clinical Medicine of Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P.R. China
| | - Yanhui Zhou
- Department of Bone Orthopedics, The First Affiliated Hospital/School of Clinical Medicine of Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P.R. China
| | - Ping Sun
- Department of Endocrinology, The First Affiliated Hospital/School of Clinical Medicine of Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P.R. China
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Chen X, Xu M, An Y. Identifying the essential nodes in network pharmacology based on multilayer network combined with random walk algorithm. J Biomed Inform 2020; 114:103666. [PMID: 33352331 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbi.2020.103666] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2020] [Revised: 12/11/2020] [Accepted: 12/12/2020] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Compared with the general complex network, the multilayer network is more suitable for the description of reality. It can be used as a tool of network pharmacology to analyze the mechanism of drug action from an overall perspective. Combined with random walk algorithm, it measures the importance of nodes from the entire network rather than a single layer. Here a four-layer network was constructed based on the data about the action process of prescriptions, consisting of ingredients, target proteins, metabolic pathways and diseases. The random walk algorithm was used to calculate the betweenness centrality of the protein layer nodes to get the rank of their importance. According to above method, we screened out the top 10% proteins that play a key role in treatment. Prescriptions Xiaochaihu Decoction was taken as example to prove our method. The selected proteins were measured with the ones that have been validated to be associated with the treated diseases. The results showed that its accuracy was no less than the topology-based method of single-layer network. The applicability of our method was proved by another prescription Yupingfeng Decoction. Our study demonstrated that multilayer network combined with random walk algorithm was an effective method for pre-screening vital target proteins related to prescriptions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xianlai Chen
- Big Data Institute, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.
| | - Mingyue Xu
- Big Data Institute, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.
| | - Ying An
- Big Data Institute, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.
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Vohra M, Sharma A, Bagga R, Arora SK. Human umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells induce tissue repair and regeneration in collagen-induced arthritis in rats. J Clin Transl Res 2020; 6:203-216. [PMID: 33564725 PMCID: PMC7868118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2020] [Revised: 10/14/2020] [Accepted: 10/14/2020] [Indexed: 10/31/2022] Open
Abstract
The immunosuppressive and anti-inflammatory properties of mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs) have prompted their therapeutic application in several autoimmune diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis (RA). MSCs derived from bone marrow and adipose tissue has earlier been tried with limited success. However, Wharton's jelly present in human umbilical cord is discarded after delivery which makes a rich source of MSCs with least ethical issues. The immunomodulatory properties of human umbilical cord-derived MSCs (UC-MSCs) were evaluated in-vitro on the mononuclear cells from synovial fluid (SF) and peripheral blood of RA patients. The therapeutic potential of UC-MSCs was checked by transplanting the cells in rats with collagen-induced arthritis (CIA). MSCs isolated from Wharton's Jelly significantly suppressed the proliferation and activation of lymphocytes from both peripheral blood as well as SF of RA patients, down-modulated the functions of activated CD4+, CD8+ T-cells, suppressed the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines, and induced the expansion of T-regulatory cells. Xenotransplantation of UC-MSCs in CIA rats clearly indicated a sustained impact in terms of slowing down the progression of disease activity and reversal of arthritic processes along with triggering of joint tissue repair mechanisms, which could be observed till 6 weeks post-transplantation. The results from the current study suggest that human umbilical cord is a rich source of MSCs for allotransplantation. The UC-MSCs may be used successfully as a cell-based therapeutic option either in isolation or in conjunction with existing therapeutic drugs not only to relieve the joint inflammation but also regenerate the damaged bone and cartilage tissues in arthritis. RELEVANCE TO PATIENTS The current study highlights the potential use of MSCs as a cell-based therapeutic option for the treatment of inflammatory RA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mehak Vohra
- 1Department of Immunopathology, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
| | - Aman Sharma
- 2Department of Internal Medicine (Rheumatology), Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
| | - Rashmi Bagga
- 3Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
| | - Sunil K. Arora
- 1Department of Immunopathology, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India,,
Corresponding author: Sunil K. Arora Department of Immunopathology, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh - 160 012, India
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Wang L, Li H, Shen X, Zeng J, Yue L, Lin J, Yang J, Zou W, Li Y, Qin D, Wu A, Wu J. Elucidation of the molecular mechanism of Sanguisorba Officinalis L. against leukopenia based on network pharmacology. Biomed Pharmacother 2020; 132:110934. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2020.110934] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2020] [Revised: 10/17/2020] [Accepted: 10/22/2020] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
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Zhang Q, Li R, Peng W, Zhang M, Liu J, Wei S, Wang J, Wu C, Gao Y, Pu X. Identification of the Active Constituents and Significant Pathways of Guizhi-Shaoyao-Zhimu Decoction for the Treatment of Diabetes Mellitus Based on Molecular Docking and Network Pharmacology. Comb Chem High Throughput Screen 2020; 22:584-598. [PMID: 31642770 DOI: 10.2174/1386207322666191022101613] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2019] [Revised: 08/15/2019] [Accepted: 09/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
AIM AND OBJECTIVE This study was designed to explore the active compounds and significant pathways of Guizhi-Shaoyao-Zhimu decoction (GSZD) for treating diabetes mellitus using molecular docking combined with network pharmacology. MATERIALS AND METHODS Chemical constituents of GSZD and diabetes-related target proteins were collected from various databases. Then, compounds were filtered by Lipinski's and Veber's rules with Discovery studio software. The "Libdock" module was used to carry out molecular docking, and LibDockScores, default cutoff values for hydrogen bonds, and van der Waals interactions were recorded. LibDockScore of the target protein and its prototype ligand was considered as the threshold, and compounds with higher LibDockScores than the threshold were regarded as the active constituents of GSZD. Cytoscape software was used to construct the herb-active molecule-target interaction network of GSZD. ClueGO and CluePedia were applied to enrich the analysis of the biological functions and pathways of GSZD. RESULTS A total of 275 potential active compounds with 57 possible pathways in GSZD were identified by molecular docking combined with network pharmacology. TEN, INSR, PRKAA2, and GSK3B are the four most important target proteins. Gancaonin E, 3'-(γ,γ-dimethylallyl)-kievitone, aurantiamide, curcumin and 14-O-cinnamoylneoline, could interact with more than 14 of the selected target proteins. Besides, 57 potential pathways of GSZD were identified, such as insulin signaling pathway, metabolites and energy regulation, glucose metabolic process regulation, and positive regulation of carbohydrate metabolic process, etc. Conclusion: These results showed that molecular docking combined with network pharmacology is a feasible strategy for exploring bioactive compounds and mechanisms of Chinese medicines, and GSZD can be used to effectively treat diabetes through multi-components and multi-targets & pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qing Zhang
- School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 611137, China
| | - Ruolan Li
- School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 611137, China
| | - Wei Peng
- School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 611137, China
| | - Mengmeng Zhang
- School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 611137, China
| | - Jia Liu
- School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 611137, China
| | - Shujun Wei
- School of Basic Medicine, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 610075, China
| | - Jiaolong Wang
- School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 611137, China
| | - Chunjie Wu
- School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 611137, China
| | - Yongxiang Gao
- School of Basic Medicine, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 610075, China
| | - Xufeng Pu
- School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 611137, China.,Chengdu Institute for Food and Drug Control, Chengdu 611137, China
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Han W, Shi Y, Su J, Zhao Z, Wang X, Li J, Liu H. Virtual Screening and Bioactivity Evaluation of Novel Androgen Receptor Antagonists From Anti-PCa Traditional Chinese Medicine Prescriptions. Front Chem 2020; 8:582861. [PMID: 33094102 PMCID: PMC7528374 DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2020.582861] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2020] [Accepted: 08/12/2020] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Prostate cancer (PCa), a type of malignancy that arises in the prostate gland, is the most commonly diagnosed neoplasm and the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in men. Acquisition of resistance to conventional therapy is a major problem for PCa patient treatment. Androgen receptor (AR) signaling pathway is necessary in the pathogenesis of prostate cancer, and there is a heightened interest in finding novel AR antagonists that target AR and its regulatory pathways. In our search for novel androgen receptor antagonists, we focus on the Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), which has been used for thousands of years to prove effective in the treatment of cancer. In this study, we collected 653 traditional Chinese medicine prescriptions that have certain therapeutic effect to prostate cancer, including the prescriptions and even the folk prescriptions. After summarizing the frequency of herbs and gathering the natural products contained in these prescriptions, we built a natural products database to do computer-aided virtual screening and drug-like evaluation to find potential AR antagonists. Totally 25 compounds were submitted to experimental biological activity tests. Through the MTT cell proliferation experiment, 5 chemicals were found to inhibit the proliferation of LNCaP cells in a concentration-dependent manner. Especially, MoL_11 was found to have good antagonistic activity and significantly inhibit fluorescence enzyme activity by the AR reporter gene experiment. Finally, the molecular dynamics simulation method was used to study the interaction between the most active compound MoL_11 and the wild-type and F876L mutant androgen receptor (WT/F876L AR), and it was found that F876L AR could not cause resistance to MoL_11.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenya Han
- School of Pharmacy, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Yuqi Shi
- School of Pharmacy, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Jie Su
- School of Pharmacy, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Zhennan Zhao
- School of Pharmacy, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Xin Wang
- School of Pharmacy, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Jiazhong Li
- School of Pharmacy, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Huanxiang Liu
- School of Pharmacy, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
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Zhang Y, Li X, Guo C, Dong J, Liao L. Mechanisms of Spica Prunellae against thyroid-associated Ophthalmopathy based on network pharmacology and molecular docking. BMC Complement Med Ther 2020; 20:229. [PMID: 32689994 PMCID: PMC7372882 DOI: 10.1186/s12906-020-03022-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2020] [Accepted: 07/09/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy (TAO) is an autoimmune inflammatory disorder, which lacks effective treatment currently. Spica Prunellae (SP) is popularly used for its anti-inflammatory and immune-regulating properties, indicating SP may have potential therapeutic value in TAO. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to identify the efficiency and potential mechanism of SP in treating TAO. METHODS A network pharmacology integrated molecular docking strategy was used to predict the underlying molecular mechanism of treating TAO. Firstly, the active compounds of SP were obtained from TCMSP database and literature research. Then we collected the putative targets of SP and TAO based on multi-sources databases to generate networks. Network topology analysis, GO and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis were performed to screen the key targets and mechanism. Furthermore, molecular docking simulation provided an assessment tool for verifying drug and target binding. RESULTS Our results showed that 8 targets (PTGS2, MAPK3, AKT1, TNF, MAPK1, CASP3, IL6, MMP9) were recognized as key therapeutic targets with excellent binding affinity after network analysis and molecular docking-based virtual screening. The results of enrichment analysis suggested that the underlying mechanism was mainly focused on the biological processes and pathways associated with immune inflammation, proliferation, and apoptosis. Notably, the key pathway was considered as the PI3K-AKT signaling pathway. CONCLUSION In summary, the present study elucidates that SP may suppress inflammation and proliferation and promote apoptosis through the PI3K-AKT pathway, which makes SP a potential treatment against TAO. And this study offers new reference points for future experimental research and provides a scientific basis for more widespread clinical application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuhan Zhang
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabology, Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, 250014, China.,Laboratory of Endocrinology, Medical Research Center, Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, the First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, 250014, Shandong, China
| | - Xianzhi Li
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabology, Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, 250014, China.,Laboratory of Endocrinology, Medical Research Center, Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, the First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, 250014, Shandong, China
| | - Congcong Guo
- Department of Endocrinology, Affiliated Hospital of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, 250011, China
| | - Jianjun Dong
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Internal Medicine, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, China.
| | - Lin Liao
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabology, Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, 250014, China. .,Department of Endocrinology and Metabology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University, Ji-nan, 250014, China.
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Liu WJ, Jiang ZM, Chen Y, Xiao PT, Wang ZY, Huang TQ, Liu EH. Network pharmacology approach to elucidate possible action mechanisms of Sinomenii Caulis for treating osteoporosis. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2020; 257:112871. [PMID: 32325182 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2020.112871] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2020] [Revised: 04/09/2020] [Accepted: 04/09/2020] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Sinomenii Caulis (SC) is a well-konwn traditional Chinese medicine used for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), dermatophytosis and paralysis. Patients with RA are usually secondary to osteoporosis, but the potential protective effect of SC on osteoporosis (OP) is seldom reported and its possible action mechanism is little known. AIM The purpose of this study was to demonstrate the anti-osteoporosis effects of SC extract and alkaloids in prednisolone (Pre)-induced OP of zebrafish, and then to explore the potential mechanism of SC on system level by network pharmacology. METHODS Firstly, zebrafish OP model was established to investigate the anti-osteoporosis effect of SC. Secondly, the targets of SC and OP from multiple databases were collected, and Compound-Target-Pathway network based on protein-protein interaction (PPI) was constructed. Moreover, gene enrichment and annotation were performed via the DAVID server. Finally, the reliability of the network pharmacology prediction results in Pre-induced OP of zebrafish was verified by qRT-PCR. RESULTS The results indicated that SC extract and alkaloids have remarkable ability to promote bone formation of cranial bones and reduce TRAP contents in Pre-induced OP of zebrafish. 32 OP-related ingredients in SC and 77 OP-related targets were screened from multiple databases, and 15 OP-related pathways were enriched by the KEGG database. Further experimental validation indicated that SC extract and alkaloids could regulate the expression of MAPK14, CASP3, CXCL8, IL-1β, IL6, PTGS2, TNF-α, ESR1, and MMP9 for treatment of OP. CONCLUSION In summary, we conducted an integrative analysis to provide convincing evidence that SC may partially alleviate OP by inhibiting pro-inflammatory cytokines and regulating of RANK/RANKL/OPG system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen-Jin Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, No. 24 Tongjia Lane, Nanjing, 210009, PR China
| | - Zheng-Meng Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, No. 24 Tongjia Lane, Nanjing, 210009, PR China
| | - Yi Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, No. 24 Tongjia Lane, Nanjing, 210009, PR China
| | - Ping-Ting Xiao
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, No. 24 Tongjia Lane, Nanjing, 210009, PR China
| | - Zi-Yuan Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, No. 24 Tongjia Lane, Nanjing, 210009, PR China
| | - Tian-Qing Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, No. 24 Tongjia Lane, Nanjing, 210009, PR China
| | - E-Hu Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, No. 24 Tongjia Lane, Nanjing, 210009, PR China.
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Integrated Analysis of the Mechanisms of Da-Chai-Hu Decoction in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus by a Network Pharmacology Approach. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE 2020; 2020:9768414. [PMID: 32419835 PMCID: PMC7204321 DOI: 10.1155/2020/9768414] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2019] [Revised: 01/31/2020] [Accepted: 02/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Background The incidence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) has increased year by year, which not only seriously affects people's quality of life, but also imposes a heavy economic burden on the family, society, and country. Currently, the pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment of T2DM are still unclear. Therefore, exploration of a precise multitarget treatment strategy is urgent. Here, we attempt to screen out the active components, effective targets, and functional pathways of therapeutic drugs through network pharmacology with taking advantages of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formulas for multitarget holistic treatment of diseases to clarify the potential therapeutic mechanism of TCM formulas and provide a systematic and clear thought for T2DM treatment. Methods First, we screened the active components of Da-Chai-Hu Decoction (DCHD) by absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity (ADME/T) calculation. Second, we predicted and screened the active components of DCHD and its therapeutic targets for T2DM relying on the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Analysis Platform (TCMSP database) and Text Mining Tool (GoPubMed database), while using the Database for Annotation, Visualization, and Integrated Discovery (DAVID) to obtain T2DM targets. Third, we constructed a network of the active component-target, target-pathway of DCHD using Cytoscape software (http://cytoscape.org/,ver.3.5.1) and then analyzed gene function, related biological processes, and signal pathways through the DAVID database. Results We screened 77 active components from 1278 DCHD components and 116 effective targets from 253 ones. After matching the targets of T2DM, we obtained 38 important targets and 7 core targets were selected through further analysis. Through enrichment analysis, we found that these important targets were mainly involved in many biological processes such as oxidative stress, inflammatory reaction, and apoptosis. After analyzing the relevant pathways, the synthetic pathway for the treatment of T2DM was obtained, which provided a diagnosis-treatment idea for DCHD in the treatment of T2DM. Conclusions This article reveals the mechanism of DCHD in the treatment of T2DM related to inflammatory response and apoptosis through network pharmacology, which lays a foundation for further elucidation of drugs effective targets.
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Effect of Huangqin Tang on Colonic Gene Expression in Rats with Ulcerative Colitis. Int J Genomics 2020; 2020:4238757. [PMID: 32300604 PMCID: PMC7140145 DOI: 10.1155/2020/4238757] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2019] [Revised: 12/24/2019] [Accepted: 01/13/2020] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
In this study, we explored the pharmacological mechanisms of Huangqin Tang (HQT; a traditional Chinese medicine formula) in ulcerative colitis (UC) and provided evidence for potential roles HQT plays by gene expression profiling. The UC rat model was made via a compound method (trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid plus ethanol). After a ten-day treatment, microarray analysis was performed from the colon segment of the rats. Biological functions and specific signaling pathways were enriched based on differentially expressed genes (DEG), and corresponding gene networks were constructed via Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA). Through the network, we screened the potential “candidate targets,” such as ITGB1, FN1, CASP3, and ITGA5 and FABP1, ABCB1, FABP2, and SLC51B. These potential candidate targets were functionally related to immune responses, inflammation, and metabolism. Moreover, HQT significantly decreased serum levels of proinflammatory factors nitrogen monoxide (NO), proinflammatory cytokines interleukin- (IL-) 17, and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2). The degree of HE staining of colonic tissue was severe in the model group but reduced significantly in the HQT group. HQT exhibited protective effects against colon damage by inhibiting the inflammatory response.
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Wang-Bi Capsule Alleviates the Joint Inflammation and Bone Destruction in Mice with Collagen-Induced Arthritis. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE 2020; 2020:1015083. [PMID: 32256633 PMCID: PMC7106906 DOI: 10.1155/2020/1015083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2019] [Accepted: 02/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Wang-Bi Capsule (WB), a traditional Chinese medicine- (TCM-) based herbal formula, is currently used in clinic for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) with positive clinical effects. However, its pharmacological mechanism of action in RA is still obscure. Therefore, this study established a collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) mice model to examine the efficacy of WB by using arthritis score, histological analysis, and micro-CT examination. Proinflammatory cytokines expression, osteoclast number, OPG/RANKL system, and NF-κB activation were then detected to further investigate the mechanism of WB in RA treatment. The results indicated that WB could alleviate the erythema and swelling of paws in CIA mice. It also inhibited the infiltration of inflammatory cells and bone destruction and increased bone density in joints of CIA mice. Mechanistic studies showed that WB treatment decreased the production of IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α in serum and joints of CIA mice. Moreover, it reduced the osteoclast number, increased OPG level, decreased RANKL level, and inhibited the activation of NF-κB in joints of CIA mice. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that WB could effectively alleviate disease progression of CIA mice by decreasing the IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α levels, modulating the OPG/RANKL system, and inhibiting the activation of NF-κB.
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Li W, Mao X, Wu H, Guo M, Su X, Lu J, Guo Q, Li T, Wang X, Su W, Zhang Y, Lin N. Deciphering the chemical profile and pharmacological mechanisms of Baihu-Guizhi decoction using ultra-fast liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry coupled with network pharmacology-based investigation. PHYTOMEDICINE : INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHYTOTHERAPY AND PHYTOPHARMACOLOGY 2020; 67:153156. [PMID: 31901568 DOI: 10.1016/j.phymed.2019.153156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2019] [Revised: 11/26/2019] [Accepted: 12/21/2019] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Baihu-Guizhi decoction (BHGZD) has been extensively used for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) with a satisfying therapeutic effect. However, the material basis and the underlying mechanisms of BHGZD against RA have not been fully elucidated. PURPOSE To investigate the chemical profile and the pharmacological mechanisms of BHGZD against RA. METHODS The chemical constituents containing in BHGZD were identified using UFLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS system, and the corresponding putative targets were predicted. Then, the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between adjuvant-induced arthritis (AIA) and normal control groups were identified using microarray analysis. After constructing the interaction network of "RA-related gene-BHGZD putative target", BHGZD candidate targets against RA were screened by topological analysis and further experimentally validated based on AIA rat model. RESULTS A total of 41 chemical constituents were identified in the water extract of BHGZD, which were predicted to hit 1312 putative targets. Additionally, 26 DEGs between the AIA and normal control groups were defined as "RA-related genes", which were functionally involved into the imbalance of "inflammation-immune" system during RA progression. On the basis of the topological importance in the network of "RA-related gene-BHGZD putative target", 177 BHGZD candidate targets against RA were identified. Among them, TLR4, c-Fos/AP-1, IL2 and TNF had direct interactions with each other and also function as crucial components of toll-like receptor and T cell receptor signaling pathways, which may play important roles in maintaining the balance of "inflammation-immune" system. Experimentally, we verified that BHGZD dose-dependently attenuated the severity, pathological changes, as well as mechanical, cold, and heat hypersensitivities during RA progression based on the AIA rat model. Further western blot analysis demonstrated that BHGZD significantly reduced the protein levels of TLR4, c-Fos/AP-1, IL2 and TNF, which were induced by RA modeling, in the inflamed joints of AIA rats (all p<0.05). CONCLUSION This study combining the chemical and transcriptomic profilings, target prediction, network calculation and experimental validations identifies the chemical constituents containing in BHGZD and offers the convincing evidence that BHGZD may ameliorate RA partially by restoring the balance of "inflammation-immune" system and subsequently reversing the pathological events during RA progression through regulating the TLR4-c-Fos-IL2-TNF axis.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Arthritis, Experimental/drug therapy
- Arthritis, Experimental/genetics
- Arthritis, Experimental/immunology
- Arthritis, Rheumatoid/drug therapy
- Arthritis, Rheumatoid/genetics
- Arthritis, Rheumatoid/metabolism
- Chromatography, Liquid/methods
- Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
- Drugs, Chinese Herbal/analysis
- Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology
- Gene Expression Regulation/drug effects
- Inflammation/drug therapy
- Inflammation/genetics
- Inflammation/immunology
- Male
- Rats, Inbred Lew
- Tandem Mass Spectrometry/methods
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Affiliation(s)
- Weijie Li
- Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100700, China; School of Chinese Pharmacy, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100102, China
| | - Xia Mao
- Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100700, China
| | - Hao Wu
- Guangdong Engineering and Technology Research Center for Quality and Efficacy Reevaluation of Post-Market Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Plant Resources, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
| | - Minqun Guo
- Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100700, China
| | - Xiaohui Su
- Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100700, China
| | - Jianqiu Lu
- School of Chinese Pharmacy, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100102, China
| | - Qiuyan Guo
- Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100700, China
| | - Taixian Li
- Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100700, China
| | - Xiaoyue Wang
- Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100700, China
| | - Weiwei Su
- Guangdong Engineering and Technology Research Center for Quality and Efficacy Reevaluation of Post-Market Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Plant Resources, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
| | - Yanqiong Zhang
- Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100700, China.
| | - Na Lin
- Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100700, China.
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Exploring and characterizing a novel combination of paeoniflorin and talatizidine for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Pharmacol Res 2020; 153:104658. [PMID: 32001347 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2020.104658] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2019] [Revised: 01/14/2020] [Accepted: 01/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Wutou Decoction (WTD) achieves favorable therapeutic response in treating rheumatoid arthritis (RA), especially for wind-cold-dampness stimulating RA. However, its material basis and molecular mechanisms remain unclear. To address this problem, the main bioactive compounds (BACs) of WTD against RA and the candidate targets were identified in the current study via transcriptional regulatory network analysis, computational structure-based methods, as well as in vivo and in vitro experimental validations. As a result, we successfully established a RA rat model named AIA-S, which simulated the clinical manifestations and pathological changes of wind-cold-dampness stimulating RA, and also displayed the distinctive characteristics and biological basis of inflammatory-immune system imbalance and abnormal energy metabolism changes. In addition, ALOX15B-PPAR-γ-PTGS2-FGF2-IL-1β-c-JUN-MMP13-TGF-β1 signal axis, involved into thermogenesis and energy metabolism, as well as maintaining the balance of inflammation-immune system, was identified as a candidate target of WTD against RA, according to the transcriptional regulatory network analysis on "RA-related gene-WTD-effective gene interaction network". Moreover, Paeoniflorin (PAE) and Talatizidine (TLT) were demonstrated to be the main BACs of WTD against RA for the following reasons: firstly, both PAE and TLT were the BACs of WTD according to ADME analysis in silico and the pharmacokinetics analysis in vivo. Secondly, both PAE and TLT were able to bind with PPAR-γ, c-JUN, MMP13 and TGF-β1, which were the candidate targets of WTD against RA, with the strong binding affinity. Thirdly, the PAE and TLT combination exerted significant therapeutic effects on AIA-S rats through reversing the imbalance of inflammatory-immune system, and the disturbance of thermogenesis and energy metabolism, which were similar to WTD. More importantly, the administration of TLT or PAE alone didn't exert as prominently therapeutic effects as that of the two-BAC-combination did. Fourthly, the PAE and TLT combination promoted adipogenesis and lipogenesis by upregulating the PPAR-γ-induced lipogenic proteins. In conclusion, this study identified PAE and TLT as the main BACs of WTD in alleviating the severity of RA, and also developed a novel combination of PAE and TLT as a promising candidate drug for RA therapy.
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Piao CL, Luo JL, Jin D, Tang C, Wang L, Lian FM, Tong XL. Utilizing network pharmacology to explore the underlying mechanism of Radix Salviae in diabetic retinopathy. Chin Med 2019; 14:58. [PMID: 31892939 PMCID: PMC6936117 DOI: 10.1186/s13020-019-0280-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2019] [Accepted: 12/17/2019] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Radix Salviae (Dan-shen in pinyin), a classic Chinese herb, has been extensively used to treat diabetic retinopathy in clinical practice in China for many years. However, the pharmacological mechanisms of Radix Salviae remain vague. The aim of this study was to decrypt the underlying mechanisms of Radix Salviae in the treatment of diabetic retinopathy using a systems pharmacology approach. Methods A network pharmacology-based strategy was proposed to elucidate the underlying multi-component, multi-target, and multi-pathway mode of action of Radix Salviae against diabetic retinopathy. First, we collected putative targets of Radix Salviae based on the Traditional Chinese Medicine System Pharmacology database and a network of the interactions among the putative targets of Radix Salviae and known therapeutic targets of diabetic retinopathy was built. Then, two topological parameters, “degree” and “closeness certainty” were calculated to identify the major targets in the network. Furthermore, the major hubs were imported to the Database for Annotation, Visualization and Integrated Discovery to perform a pathway enrichment analysis. Results A total of 130 nodes, including 18 putative targets of Radix Salviae, were observed to be major hubs in terms of topological importance. The results of pathway enrichment analysis indicated that putative targets of Radix Salviae mostly participated in various pathways associated with angiogenesis, protein metabolism, inflammatory response, apoptosis, and cell proliferation. The putative targets of Radix Salviae (vascular endothelial growth factor, matrix metalloproteinases, plasminogen, insulin-like growth factor-1, and cyclooxygenase-2) were recognized as active factors involved in the main biological functions of treatment, which implied that these were involved in the underlying mechanisms of Radix Salviae on diabetic retinopathy. Conclusions Radix Salviae could alleviate diabetic retinopathy via the molecular mechanisms predicted by network pharmacology. This research demonstrates that the network pharmacology approach can be an effective tool to reveal the mechanisms of traditional Chinese medicine from a holistic perspective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chun-Li Piao
- 1Institution of Shenzhen Hospital, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine (Futian), Shenzhen, 518000 Guangdong China
| | - Jin-Li Luo
- 1Institution of Shenzhen Hospital, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine (Futian), Shenzhen, 518000 Guangdong China
| | - De Jin
- 2Institution of Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Science, Beijing, 100000 China
| | - Cheng Tang
- 1Institution of Shenzhen Hospital, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine (Futian), Shenzhen, 518000 Guangdong China
| | - Li Wang
- 1Institution of Shenzhen Hospital, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine (Futian), Shenzhen, 518000 Guangdong China
| | - Feng-Mei Lian
- 2Institution of Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Science, Beijing, 100000 China
| | - Xiao-Lin Tong
- 2Institution of Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Science, Beijing, 100000 China
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A Computational Toxicology Approach to Screen the Hepatotoxic Ingredients in Traditional Chinese Medicines: Polygonum multiflorum Thunb as a Case Study. Biomolecules 2019; 9:biom9100577. [PMID: 31591318 PMCID: PMC6843577 DOI: 10.3390/biom9100577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2019] [Revised: 09/29/2019] [Accepted: 10/05/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
In recent years, liver injury induced by Traditional Chinese Medicines (TCMs) has gained increasing attention worldwide. Assessing the hepatotoxicity of compounds in TCMs is essential and inevitable for both doctors and regulatory agencies. However, there has been no effective method to screen the hepatotoxic ingredients in TCMs available until now. In the present study, we initially built a large scale dataset of drug-induced liver injuries (DILIs). Then, 13 types of molecular fingerprints/descriptors and eight machine learning algorithms were utilized to develop single classifiers for DILI, which resulted in 5416 single classifiers. Next, the NaiveBayes algorithm was adopted to integrate the best single classifier of each machine learning algorithm, by which we attempted to build a combined classifier. The accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, and area under the curve of the combined classifier were 72.798, 0.732, 0.724, and 0.793, respectively. Compared to several prior studies, the combined classifier provided better performance both in cross validation and external validation. In our prior study, we developed a herb-hepatotoxic ingredient network and a herb-induced liver injury (HILI) dataset based on pre-clinical evidence published in the scientific literature. Herein, by combining that and the combined classifier developed in this work, we proposed the first instance of a computational toxicology to screen the hepatotoxic ingredients in TCMs. Then Polygonum multiflorum Thunb (PmT) was used as a case to investigate the reliability of the approach proposed. Consequently, a total of 25 ingredients in PmT were identified as hepatotoxicants. The results were highly consistent with records in the literature, indicating that our computational toxicology approach is reliable and effective for the screening of hepatotoxic ingredients in Pmt. The combined classifier developed in this work can be used to assess the hepatotoxic risk of both natural compounds and synthetic drugs. The computational toxicology approach presented in this work will assist with screening the hepatotoxic ingredients in TCMs, which will further lay the foundation for exploring the hepatotoxic mechanisms of TCMs. In addition, the method proposed in this work can be applied to research focused on other adverse effects of TCMs/synthetic drugs.
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Hua YL, Ma Q, Yuan ZW, Zhang XS, Yao WL, Ji P, Hu JJ, Wei YM. A novel approach based on metabolomics coupled with network pharmacology to explain the effect mechanisms of Danggui Buxue Tang in anaemia. Chin J Nat Med 2019; 17:275-290. [PMID: 31076131 DOI: 10.1016/s1875-5364(19)30031-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Danggui Buxue Tang (DBT) is a famous Chinese medicinal decoction. Mechanism of DBT action is wide ranging and unclear. Exploring new ways of treatment with DBT is useful. Sprague-Dawley(SD) rats were randomly divided into 3 groups including control (NC, Saline), the DBT (at a dose of 8.10 g-1), and blood deficiency(BD) (Cyclophosphamide (APH)-andCyclophosphamide(CTX)-induced anaemia). A metabolomics approach using Liquid Chromatography-Quadrupole-Time-of-Flight/Mass Spectrometry (LC/Q-TOFMS) was developed to perform the plasma metabolic profiling analysis and differential metaboliteswerescreened according to the multivariate statistical analysiscomparing the NC and BD groups, andthe hub metabolites were outliers with high scores of the centrality indices. Anaemia disease-related protein target and compound of DBT databases were constructed. The TCMSP, ChemMapper and STITCH databases were used to predict the protein targets of DBT. Using the Cytoscape 3.2.1 to establish a phytochemical component-target protein interaction network and establish a component, protein and hub metabolite protein-protein interaction (PPI) network and merging the three PPI networks basing on BisoGenet. The gene enrichment analysis was used to analyse the relationship between proteins based on the relevant genetic similarity by ClueGO. The results shown DBT effectively treated anaemia in vivo. 11 metabolic pathways are involved in the therapeutic effect of DBT in vivo; S-adenosyl-l-methionine, glycine, l-cysteine, arachidonic acid (AA) and phosphatidylcholine(PC) were screened as hub metabolites in APH-and CTX-induced anaemia. A total of 288 targets were identified as major candidates for anaemia progression. The gene-set enrichment analysis revealed that the targets are involved in iron ion binding, haemopoiesis, reactive oxygen species production, inflammation and apoptosis. The results also showed that these targets were associated with iron ion binding, haemopoiesis, ROS production, apoptosis, inflammation and related signalling pathways. DBT can promote iron ion binding and haemopoiesis activities, restrain inflammation, production of reactive oxygen, block apoptosis, and contribute significantly to the DBT treat anaemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong-Li Hua
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou 730070,China.
| | - Qi Ma
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou 730070,China
| | - Zi-Wen Yuan
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou 730070,China
| | - Xiao-Song Zhang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou 730070,China
| | - Wan-Ling Yao
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou 730070,China
| | - Peng Ji
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou 730070,China
| | - Jun-Jie Hu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou 730070,China
| | - Yan-Ming Wei
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou 730070,China
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Wan Y, Xu L, Liu Z, Yang M, Jiang X, Zhang Q, Huang J. Utilising network pharmacology to explore the underlying mechanism of Wumei Pill in treating pancreatic neoplasms. Altern Ther Health Med 2019; 19:158. [PMID: 31272505 PMCID: PMC6611005 DOI: 10.1186/s12906-019-2580-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2019] [Accepted: 06/26/2019] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Background Wumei Pill (WMP), a famous herbal formula, has been widely used to treat digestive system diseases in clinical practice in China for centuries. We have found a correlation between the indications of WMP and the typical symptoms of pancreatic neoplasms. However, the pharmacological mechanisms of WMP still remain unknown. Methods In the present work, we used a network pharmacological method to predict its underlying complex mechanism of treating pancreatic neoplasms. Firstly, we obtained relative compounds of WMP based on TCMSP database, TCM database@Taiwan and TCMID database and collected potential targets of these compounds by target fishing. Then we built the pancreatic neoplasms target database by CTD, TTD, PharmGKB. Based on the matching results between WMP potential targets and pancreatic neoplasms targets, we built a PPI network to analyze the interactions among these targets and screen the hub targets by topology. Furthermore, DAVID bioinformatics resources were utilized for the enrichment analysis on GO_BP and KEGG. Results A total of 80 active ingredients and 77 targets of WMP were picked out. The results of DAVID enrichment analysis indicated that 58 cellular biological processes (FDR < 0.01) and 17 pathways (FDR < 0.01) of WMP mostly participated in the complex treating effects associated with proliferation, apoptosis, inflammatory response and angiogenesis. Moreover, 17 hub nodes of WMP (PTGS2, BCL2, TP53, IL6, MAPK1, EGFR, EGF, CASP3, JUN, MAPK8, MMP9, VEGFA, TNF, MYC, AKT1, FOS and TGFB1) were recognized as potential targets of treatments, implying the underlying mechanisms of WMP acting on pancreatic neoplasms. Conclusion WMP could alleviate the symptoms of pancreatic neoplasms through the molecular mechanisms predicted by network pharmacology. This study proposes a strategy to elucidate the mechanisms of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) at the level of network pharmacology. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12906-019-2580-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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A Metabonomics Investigation into the Therapeutic Effects of BuChang NaoXinTong Capsules on Reversing the Amino Acid-Protein Interaction Network of Cerebral Ischemia. OXIDATIVE MEDICINE AND CELLULAR LONGEVITY 2019; 2019:7258624. [PMID: 31015890 PMCID: PMC6446104 DOI: 10.1155/2019/7258624] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2018] [Revised: 01/10/2019] [Accepted: 01/16/2019] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Background Amino acids (AAs) in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) play a pivotal role in cerebral ischemia (CI). BuChang NaoXinTong Capsules (BNC) are widely prescribed in Chinese medicine for the treatment of cerebrovascular and cardiovascular diseases. Methods In order to investigate the therapeutic effects and pharmacological mechanisms of BNC on reversing CI from a system level, an amino acid-protein interaction imbalanced network of CI containing metabolites of AAs, key regulatory enzymes, and proteins was constructed for the first time. Furthermore, a novel method for detecting the ten AAs in CSF was developed by UPLC-QQQ-MS in an effort to validate the imbalanced networks and the therapeutic effects of BNC via analysis of metabolites. Results Based on a middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) rat model, the dynamic levels of amino acids in CSF 3, 6, 12, and 24 h after MCAO were analyzed. Up to 24 h, the accumulated nine AA biomarkers were found to significantly change in the MCAO group compared to the sham group and exhibited an obvious tendency for returning to baseline values after BNC treatment. In addition, based on the imbalanced network of CI, four key enzymes that regulate the generation of BNC-mediated AA biomarkers were selected and validated using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and western blotting. Finally, aromatic-L-amino-acid decarboxylase (AADC) was found to be one of the putative targets for BNC-mediated protection against CI. Conclusion This study provides new strategies to explore the mechanism of cerebral ischemia and help discover the potential mechanism of BNC.
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Mao X, Xu H, Li S, Su J, Li W, Guo Q, Wang P, Guo R, Xiao X, Zhang Y, Yang H. Exploring pharmacological mechanisms of Xueshuan-Xinmai-Ning tablets acting on coronary heart disease based on drug target-disease gene interaction network. PHYTOMEDICINE : INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHYTOTHERAPY AND PHYTOPHARMACOLOGY 2019; 54:159-168. [PMID: 30668365 DOI: 10.1016/j.phymed.2018.09.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2017] [Revised: 07/07/2018] [Accepted: 09/03/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Xueshuan-Xinmai-Ning Tablet (XXNT), a commercially available patent drug, has been extensively used in the treatment of coronary heart disease (CHD) with a satisfying therapeutic efficacy. The aim of this study was to explore the underlying pharmacological mechanisms of XXNT acting on CHD. STUDY DESIGN An integrative pharmacology-based investigation was performed. METHOD Putative targets of composite compounds contained in XXNT were predicted using the Drug Target Prediction Tool in the Computation Platform for Integrative Pharmacology of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCMIP, www.tcmip.cn) and MedChem Studio. Then, an interaction network of XXNT putative targets-known CHD-related genes was constructed, and candidate XXNT targets related to its therapeutic effects on CHD were identified by calculating three major network topological features. Functional enrichment analysis was performed to investigate the specific functions and pathways involved by the candidate XXNT targets acting on CHD, which were further validated by in vitro experiments. RESULTS A total of 742 putative targets hit 126 chemical components contained in XXNT were predicted. Following the construction of XXNT putative target-known CHD-related gene network, and the network topological feature calculation, we identified 51 candidate XXNT targets related to its therapeutic effects on CHD. Functionally, these candidate XXNT targets were significantly associated with various cardiovascular system-related pathways, sedation-related pathways, inflammatory and immune-related pathways and endocrine/metabolic system-related pathways. More importantly, the in vitro experiment validation confirmed the regulatory effects of XXNT in SRC, VEGF and VEGFR-1, which play roles in VEGF signaling pathway, based on the endothelial injury cell model. CONCLUSION Our findings reveal that XXNT may attenuate the major pathological changes of CHD through regulating its candidate targets, which might be involved into the signal transductions in nervous-endocrine-immune-cardiovascular-metabolic system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xia Mao
- Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, No. 16, Nanxiaojie, Dongzhimennei, Beijing 100700, China
| | - Haiyu Xu
- Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, No. 16, Nanxiaojie, Dongzhimennei, Beijing 100700, China
| | - Sen Li
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha 410208, China
| | - Jin Su
- Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, No. 16, Nanxiaojie, Dongzhimennei, Beijing 100700, China
| | - Weijie Li
- Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, No. 16, Nanxiaojie, Dongzhimennei, Beijing 100700, China
| | - Qiuyan Guo
- Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, No. 16, Nanxiaojie, Dongzhimennei, Beijing 100700, China
| | - Ping Wang
- Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, No. 16, Nanxiaojie, Dongzhimennei, Beijing 100700, China
| | - Rui Guo
- Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin 300193, PR China
| | - Xuefeng Xiao
- Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin 300193, PR China.
| | - Yanqiong Zhang
- Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, No. 16, Nanxiaojie, Dongzhimennei, Beijing 100700, China.
| | - Hongjun Yang
- Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, No. 16, Nanxiaojie, Dongzhimennei, Beijing 100700, China.
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Wang N, Li P, Hu X, Yang K, Peng Y, Zhu Q, Zhang R, Gao Z, Xu H, Liu B, Chen J, Zhou X. Herb Target Prediction Based on Representation Learning of Symptom related Heterogeneous Network. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2019; 17:282-290. [PMID: 30867892 PMCID: PMC6396098 DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2019.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2018] [Revised: 02/01/2019] [Accepted: 02/01/2019] [Indexed: 11/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has received increasing attention as a complementary approach or alternative to modern medicine. However, experimental methods for identifying novel targets of TCM herbs heavily relied on the current available herb-compound-target relationships. In this work, we present an Herb-Target Interaction Network (HTINet) approach, a novel network integration pipeline for herb-target prediction mainly relying on the symptom related associations. HTINet focuses on capturing the low-dimensional feature vectors for both herbs and proteins by network embedding, which incorporate the topological properties of nodes across multi-layered heterogeneous network, and then performs supervised learning based on these low-dimensional feature representations. HTINet obtains performance improvement over a well-established random walk based herb-target prediction method. Furthermore, we have manually validated several predicted herb-target interactions from independent literatures. These results indicate that HTINet can be used to integrate heterogeneous information to predict novel herb-target interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ning Wang
- School of Computer and Information Technology and Beijing Key Lab of Traffic Data Analysis and Mining, Beijing Jiaotong University, Beijing 100044, China
| | - Peng Li
- College of Arts and Sciences, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu 030801, China
| | - Xiaochen Hu
- School of Computer and Information Technology and Beijing Key Lab of Traffic Data Analysis and Mining, Beijing Jiaotong University, Beijing 100044, China
| | - Kuo Yang
- School of Computer and Information Technology and Beijing Key Lab of Traffic Data Analysis and Mining, Beijing Jiaotong University, Beijing 100044, China
| | - Yonghong Peng
- Faculty of Computer Science, University of Sunderland, St Peters Campus, Sunderland SR6 0DD, UK
| | - Qiang Zhu
- Medical Intelligence Institute, School of Computer and Information Technology, Beijing Jiaotong University, Beijing 100044, China
| | - Runshun Zhang
- Guanganmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100053, China
| | - Zhuye Gao
- Department of Cardiology, Xiyuan Hospital of China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100091, China
| | - Hao Xu
- Department of Cardiology, Xiyuan Hospital of China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100091, China
| | - Baoyan Liu
- Data Center of Traditional Chinese Medicine, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100700, China
| | - Jianxin Chen
- Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Xuezhong Zhou
- School of Computer and Information Technology and Beijing Key Lab of Traffic Data Analysis and Mining, Beijing Jiaotong University, Beijing 100044, China.,Data Center of Traditional Chinese Medicine, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100700, China
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Zuo J, Wang X, Liu Y, Ye J, Liu Q, Li Y, Li S. Integrating Network Pharmacology and Metabolomics Study on Anti-rheumatic Mechanisms and Antagonistic Effects Against Methotrexate-Induced Toxicity of Qing-Luo-Yin. Front Pharmacol 2018; 9:1472. [PMID: 30618762 PMCID: PMC6305420 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2018.01472] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2018] [Accepted: 11/30/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Qing-Luo-Yin (QLY) is a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formula used to treat Hot Syndrome-related rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Previously, we uncovered partial mechanisms involved in the therapeutic actions of QLY on RA. In this study, we further elucidated its anti-rheumatic mechanisms and investigated its possible interactions with methotrexate (MTX) in vivo using an integrating strategy coupled with network pharmacology and metabolomics techniques. Chemical composition of QLY was characterized by HPLC analysis. Collagen induced arthritis (CIA) was developed in male SD rats. The CIA rats were then assigned into different groups, and received QLY, MTX or QLY+MTX treatments according to the pre-arrangement. Therapeutic effects of QLY and its possible interactions with MTX in vivo were evaluated by clinical parameters, digital radiography assessment, histological/immunohistochemical examination, and serological biomarkers. Mechanisms underlying these actions were deciphered with network pharmacology methods, and further validated by metabolomics clues based on UPLC-Q-TOF/MS analysis of urines. Experimental evidences demonstrated that QLY notably alleviated the severity of CIA and protected joints from destruction. Re-balanced levels of hemoglobin and alanine transaminase in serum indicated reduced MTX-induced hepatic injury and myelosuppression under the co-treatment of QLY. Network-based target prediction found dozens of RA related proteins as potential targets of QLY. Upon the further biological function enrichment analysis, we found that a large amount of them were involved in nucleotide metabolism and immune functions. Metabolomics analysis showed that QLY restored amino acids, fatty acids, and energy metabolisms in CIA rats, which solidly supported its therapeutic effects on CIA. Consistently to findings from network pharmacology analysis, metabolomics study also found altered purine, pyrimidine, and pentose phosphate metabolisms in CIA rats receiving QLY treatment. All these clues suggested that inhibition on nucleic acid synthesis was essential to the immunosuppressive activity of QLY in vivo, and could contribute great importance to its therapeutic effects on CIA. Additionally, QLY induced significant antifolate resistance in rats, which would prevent folate from depletion during long-term MTX treatment, and should account for reduced side effects in combination regimen with MTX and QLY.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian Zuo
- Yijishan Hospital of Wannan Medical College, Wuhu, China
| | - Xin Wang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Bioinformatics, Bioinformatics Division and Center for Synthetic and Systems Biology, Center for TCM-X, BNRist, Department of Automation, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Yang Liu
- Yijishan Hospital of Wannan Medical College, Wuhu, China
| | - Jing Ye
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Qingfei Liu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Yan Li
- Yijishan Hospital of Wannan Medical College, Wuhu, China
| | - Shao Li
- MOE Key Laboratory of Bioinformatics, Bioinformatics Division and Center for Synthetic and Systems Biology, Center for TCM-X, BNRist, Department of Automation, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
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A Network Pharmacology Approach to Uncover the Mechanisms of Shen-Qi-Di-Huang Decoction against Diabetic Nephropathy. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE 2018; 2018:7043402. [PMID: 30519269 PMCID: PMC6241231 DOI: 10.1155/2018/7043402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2018] [Revised: 09/15/2018] [Accepted: 10/11/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Shen-Qi-Di-Huang decoction (SQDHD), a well-known herbal formula from China, has been widely used in the treatment of diabetic nephropathy (DN). However, the pharmacological mechanisms of SQDHD have not been entirely elucidated. At first, we conducted a comprehensive literature search to identify the active constituents of SQDHD, determined their corresponding targets, and obtained known DN targets from several databases. A protein-protein interaction network was then built to explore the complex relations between SQDHD targets and those known to treat DN. Following the topological feature screening of each node in the network, 400 major targets of SQDHD were obtained. The pathway enrichment analysis results acquired from DAVID showed that the significant bioprocesses and pathways include oxidative stress, response to glucose, regulation of blood pressure, regulation of cell proliferation, cytokine-mediated signaling pathway, and the apoptotic signaling pathway. More interestingly, five key targets of SQDHD, named AKT1, AR, CTNNB1, EGFR, and ESR1, were significant in the regulation of the above bioprocesses and pathways. This study partially verified and predicted the pharmacological and molecular mechanisms of SQDHD on DN from a holistic perspective. This has laid the foundation for further experimental research and has expanded the rational application of SQDHD in clinical practice.
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