The action of JAK, SMAD and ERK signal pathways on hepcidin suppression by polysaccharides from Angelica sinensis in rats with iron deficiency anemia

The angelica Polysaccharide: a review of phytochemistry, pharmacology and beneficial effects on systemic diseases

Angelica sinensis is a perennial herb widely distributed around the world, and angelica polysaccharide (APS) is a polysaccharide extracted from Angelica sinensis. APS is one of the main active components of Angelica sinensis. A large number of studies have shown that APS has hematopoietic, promoting blood circulation, radiation resistance, lowering blood glucose, enhancing the body immunity and other pharmacological effects in a variety of diseases. However, different extraction methods and extraction sites greatly affect the efficacy of APS. In recent years, with the emerging of new technologies, there are more and more studies on the combined application and structural modification of APS. In order to promote the comprehensive development and in-depth application of APS, this narrative review systematically summarizes the effects of different drying methods and extraction sites on the biological activity of APS, and the application of APS in the treatment of diseases, hoping to provide a scientific basis for the experimental study and clinical application of APS.

Protective effect of Angelica sinensis polysaccharide on pregnant rats suffering from iron deficiency anemia via regulation of the hepcidin-FPN1 axis

Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is a common micronutrient deficiency among pregnant women with deleterious maternal and fetal outcomes. Angelica sinensis polysaccharide (ASP) has been shown to reduce hepcidin expression in IDA rats. However, the role of ASP in the treatment of IDA during pregnancy and its potential mechanisms have not been investigated. Moreover, the effect of ASP on duodenal iron absorption is not clear. The aim of this study was to investigate the preventive efficacy of ASP against IDA during pregnancy and clarify the underlying mechanisms. Our results showed that ASP improved maternal hematological parameters, increased serum iron, maternal tissue iron, and fetal liver iron content, and improved pregnancy outcomes. Additionally, ASP combated oxidative stress caused by iron deficiency by improving the body's antioxidant capacity. Western blot results demonstrated that ASP downregulated hepcidin expression by blocking the BMP6/SMAD4, JAK2/STAT3 and TfR2/HFE signaling pathways, which in turn increased the expression of FPN1 in the liver, spleen, and duodenum and promoted iron cycling in the body. Furthermore, ASP increased the expression of DMT1 and Dcytb in the duodenum, thereby facilitating duodenal iron uptake. Our results suggest that ASP is a potential agent for the prevention and treatment of IDA during pregnancy.

Metabolomic mechanism and pharmacodynamic material basis of Buxue Yimu pills in the treatment of anaemia in women of reproductive age

Objective: To explore the pharmacological basis and mechanism of Buxue Yimu pills (BYP) in the treatment of anaemia in women from the perspective of metabolomics and network analysis. Materials and Methods: Forty-six women of reproductive age with haemoglobin 70-110 g/L were recruited. Blood samples were collected before and after 4 weeks of oral BYP treatment to assess the changes in haemoglobin, coagulation function, and iron metabolism indices. An integrated analysis of metabolomics (liquid chromatography mass spectrometry) and network analysis was performed to identify the potential pharmacodynamic mechanisms of BYP. Results: After BYP treatment, the haemoglobin level of patients significantly increased from 93.67 ± 9.77 g/L to 109.28 ± 12.62 g/L (p < 0.01), while no significant changes were found in iron metabolism and coagulation-related indicators. A total of 22 differential metabolites were identified after metabolomics analysis, which were mainly related to the inhibition of inflammation and oxidative stress. Integrating pharmacodynamics and metabolomics, a network of drug-active components-targets-metabolic pathways-metabolomics was established. Acetylcholinesterase, phospholipase A2 group IIA, and phospholipase A2 group IVA may be the most promising therapeutic targets. Conclusion: BYP can inhibit inflammation and oxidative stress as well as promote haematopoiesis, potentially improving anaemia.

Impacts of Angelica Polysaccharide on Proliferation and Differentiation of Mesenchymal Stem Cells of Rat Bone Marrow

In literature, antiosteoporotic effects of Angelica sinensis root have been confirmed, but the impact of Angelica sinensis polysaccharide (ASP) on osteoblastic or adipogenic distinction of BMSCs is limited. This paper aimed to explore the role of ASP on proliferation and differentiation of rat BMSCs. Rat BMSCs were subjected to isolation and identification through flow cytometry. The proliferation of rat BMSCs under ASP was performed by CCK-8 kit. Measures of osteogenesis under different concentrations of ASP were detected by using alizarin red staining for mesenchymal cells differentiation and ALP activity assay to identify ALP activity. Quantitative RT-PCR was selected to identify osteoblastic or adipogenic biomarkers from a genetic perspective. Likewise, we have evaluated measures of indicators of Wnt/β-catenin signal. ASP significantly promoted the proliferation, increased osteogenesis, and decreased adipogenesis of rat BMSCs within the limit of 20-60 mg/L in a dose-dependent manner but was suppressed at 80 mg/L. The expression of cyclin D1 and ß-catenin showed a considerable rise over the course of ASP induced osteogenesis. Dickkopf 1 (DKK1) suppressed the regulation of rat BMSCs differentiation through the mediation of ASP. We have observed that ASP upregulated the osteogenic but downregulated adipogenic differentiation of BMSCs, and our findings help to contribute to effective solutions for treating bone disorders.

Extraction, structure, pharmacological activities and drug carrier applications of Angelica sinensis polysaccharide

Angelica sinensis polysaccharide (ASP) is one of the main active components of Angelica sinensis (AS) that is widely used in traditional Chinese medicine. ASP is water-soluble polysaccharides, and it is mainly composed of glucose (Glc), galactose (Gal), arabinose (Ara), rhamnose (Rha), fucose (Fuc), xylose (Xyl) and galacturonic acid (GalUA). The extraction methods of ASP include hot water extraction and ultrasonic wave extraction, and different extraction methods can affect the yield of ASP. ASP has a variety of pharmacological activities, including hematopoietic activity, promoting immunity, antitumor, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-aging, anti-virus, liver protection, and so on. As a kind of natural polysaccharide, ASP has potential application as drug carriers. This review provides a comprehensive summary of the latest extraction and purification methods of ASP, the strategies used for monosaccharide compositional analysis plus polysaccharide structural characterization, pharmacological activities and drug carrier applications, and it can provide a basis for further study on ASP.

The Bioactivities and Potential Clinical Values of Angelica Sinensis Polysaccharides

Angelica sinensis Radix (ASR), one of the most commonly used traditional Chinese medicines, contains many chemical components such as polysaccharides, volatile oil, flavonoids, amino acids, and organic acids, among which polysaccharides play an indispensable role in the therapeutic effect of ASR. A. sinensis polysaccharide (ASP) has many biological activities, for instance, hematopoietic, anti-tumor, and liver protection, which are closely related to the treatment of human diseases such as chronic anemia, leukemia, and diabetes. In addition, there are excellent application prospects for drug delivery in nanoparticles. This paper reviews the chemical compositions, extraction methods, biological activity, action mechanism, potential clinical applications, nanoparticles, and research prospect of ASP from 2010 to 2020, so as to provide references for its further development.

Natural Antioxidants in Anemia Treatment

Anemia, characterized by a decrease of the hemoglobin level in the blood and a reduction in carrying capacity of oxygen, is a major public health problem which affects people of all ages. The methods used to treat anemia are blood transfusion and oral administration of iron-based supplements, but these treatments are associated with a number of side effects, such as nausea, vomiting, constipation, and stomach pain, which limit its long-term use. In addition, oral iron supplements are poorly absorbed in the intestinal tract, due to overexpression of hepcidin, a peptide hormone that plays a central role in iron homeostasis. In this review, we conducted an analysis of the literature on biologically active compounds and plant extracts used in the treatment of various types of anemia. The purpose of this review is to provide up-to-date information on the use of these compounds and plant extracts, in order to explore their therapeutic potential. The advantage of using them is that they are available from natural resources and can be used as main, alternative, or adjuvant therapies in many diseases, such as various types of anemia.

Angelica sinensis polysaccharide prevents mitochondrial apoptosis by regulating the Treg/Th17 ratio in aplastic anemia

Background

Angelica sinensis polysaccharide (ASP) is an effective medicine for aplastic anemia (AA). The present study aims to investigate whether mitochondrial apoptosis in aplastic anemia could be corrected by ASP by adjusting an abnormal level of regulatory T cell (Treg)/ IL-17 secreting CD4 T cell (Th17) ratio.

Methods

BALB/c mice were treated with 5.0 Gy Co60 γ -radiation. Then 2 × 10⁶ lymph node cells from DBA/2 donor mice were transplanted within 4 h after radiation. The mice in the various groups were fed saline or ASP for 2 weeks. For the in vitro experiment, bone marrow nucleated cells (BMNCs) and Treg cells were sorted from the mice on the 2nd day of modeling, and then cultured with or without ASP.

Results

The mice treated with the medium dose of ASP for 14 days showed increased white blood cell (WBC), red blood cell (RBC), platelet (PLT), BMNC counts and Lin–Sca-1 + c-Kit+ (LSK) populations viability compared with the mice in the AA group mice. The data showed that ASP decreased damage to the mitochondrial outer membrane, improved the stabilization of the mitochondrial membrane, and corrected the abnormal levels of ROS and mitochondrial-associated apoptosis proteins, including the Bcl-2/Bax ratio and caspase-3 and caspase-9 expression, in BMNCs which were sorted from the bone marrow cells of AA mice. The changes to the p-P38/P38 and Treg/Th17 ratios induced by AA were also reversed by the medium dose of ASP. The same ASP effect including the Bcl-2/Bax and p-P38/P38 ratio, caspase-3 and caspase-9 expression of BMNCs were observed in vivo. The viability of Treg cells were increased by treatment of ASP in vivo.

Conclusions

ASP might prevent mitochondrial apoptosis to restore the function of hematopoietic stem cells by suppressing abnormal T-cell immunity in AA.

Polyethylenimine-coated PLGA nanoparticles-encapsulated Angelica sinensis polysaccharide as an adjuvant to enhance immune responses

Nanoparticle delivery systems have been widely investigated as new vaccines strategy to enhance the immune responses to antigens against infectious diseases. The positively charged nanoparticles could efficiently improve the immune responses due to targeting and activating the antigen-presenting cells. In this study, the immunopotentiator Angelica sinensis polysaccharide (ASP) was encapsulated into Poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles, and the polyethylenimine, one of the cationic polymers, was used to coat nanoparticles to develop a new nanoparticle delivery system (ASP-PLGA-PEI) with positively charged. The ASP-PLGA-PEI nanoparticles significantly activated macrophages, and promoted the expression of the MHCII and CD86 and the production of IL-1β and IL-12p70 cytokines of macrophages. Furthermore, the antigen adsorbed on the surface of the ASP-PLGA-PEI nanoparticles enhanced the antigen uptake by macrophages. Moreover, the mice immunized with PCV2 antigen adsorbed ASP-PLGA-PEI nanoparticles significantly enhanced PCV2-specific IgG immune response and the levels of cytokines, induced a mixed Th1/Th2 immune response with Th1 bias compared with other groups. These findings demonstrate that the positively charged nanoparticles (ASP-PLGA-PEI) have the potential to serve as an effective vaccine delivery and adjuvant system to induce vigorous and long-term immune responses.

The characteristics and prescription patterns of Chinese herbal medicine in clinical practice for the treatment of anemia

OBJECTIVE

Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) is frequently applied to patients to improve the symptoms and signs associated with anemia. The aim of this study is to use the claims data from the National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD) in Taiwan to analyze CHM prescription patterns and to identify the frequency and combinations of CHM commonly used to treat anemia.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 41,028 patients were diagnosed with anemia in Taiwan within the defined study period. After randomly equal matching for age and sex, data from 7682 patients characterized as CHM users and non-users were analyzed. Network analyses of the 30 most frequently applied herbs and formulas were used to indicate CHM combinations in patients with anemia.

RESULTS

Those patients with anemia who were older, office workers, and lived in central areas of Taiwan had higher tendencies toward CHM usage. Based on considerations of comorbidities, anemia patients associated with chronic kidney diseases, diabetes mellitus, and hypertensive diseases preferred Western medical management and demonstrated a lesser likelihood of combining treatment with CHM; by contrast, those with coronary artery disease demonstrated a higher tendency for CHM use. Notably, Astragalus membranaceus (AM) and Gui-Pi-Tang (GPT) were the most commonly prescribed CHM single herb and formula, respectively. The core prescription pattern consisted of AM, Salvia miltiorrhiza (SM), Angelica sinensis (AS), GPT, and Si-Wu-Tang (SWT), as indicated by the associations and frequency of CHM utilization by traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) physicians.

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrates that CHM may be applied as an integral element of treatment for patients with anemia. It also provides insight regarding individual therapy and common clinical practices of TCM physicians in the treatment of anemia. Further research is required to explore potential interactions and possible mechanisms at play with CHM management of anemia.

Protective potential of Angelica sinensis polysaccharide extract against ethylene glycol-induced calcium oxalate urolithiasis

Purpose: To evaluate a Angelica sinensis polysaccharide aqueous extract as a preventive agent in experimentally induced urolithiasis using in- vitro and vivo models.

Material and methods:Angelica sinensis polysaccharide was investigated in vitro to determine its antilithiatic effects on the formation and morphology of calcium oxalate (CaOx) crystals and was analyzed in vivo to determine its ability to prevent CaOx urolithiasis in rats subjected to ethylene glycol-induced urolithiasis. Potassium citrate administration was used in the positive control group. The urolithiasis-related biochemical parameters were evaluated in the rats urine, serum and kidney homogenates. Kidney sections were subjected to histopathological and immunohistochemical analyses, and urolithiasis-related phospho-c-Jun NH2-terminal protein kinase and kidney injury molecule-1proteins were evaluated by Western blot analyses.

Results:Angelica sinensis polysaccharide exhibited concentration-dependent inhibition of CaOx crystal formation. The in vitro assay revealed significant inhibition of crystal formation (6.99 ± 1.07) in the group treated with 4.0 mg/mL Angelica sinensis polysaccharide extract compared with the control group (58.38 ± 5.63; p < .05). In vivo, after treatment with ethylene glycol for 28 days, urinary oxidative stress, oxalate, creatinine, urea and urolithiasis-related protein were significantly increased (p < .05), except for serum oxidative stress (p > .05). The rats administered the extract of Angelica sinensis polysaccharide showed significantly decreased pathological change and CaOx deposition (p < .05) compared with the urolithiatic rats. Significantly reduced levels of urinary oxidative stress, oxalate, creatinine, urea and urolithiasis-related protein were observed in the Angelica sinensis polysaccharide treatment groups (p < .05) compared with the nephrolithic rats.

Conclusion: The results presented here suggest that Angelica sinensis polysaccharide has the potential to inhibit CaOx crystallization in vitro and may present anti-urolithiatic effects in vivo.

Repressed Exercise-Induced Hepcidin Levels after Danggui Buxue Tang Supplementation in Male Recreational Runners

This study was to investigate the protective and recovery effects of Danggui Buxue Tang (DBT) supplementation on exercise performance, hepcidin, iron status, and other related biochemical parameters after being challenged by a single bout of intense aerobic exercise. A total of 36 recreationally active males were pair-matched and randomly assigned to receive DBT or a placebo for 11 days, while using clusters based on their aerobic capacities. On the eighth day of the supplementation, the participants performed a 13-km run with maximal effort. Blood and urine samples were collected and analysed before treatment (Pre-Tre) and immediately after (Post-Ex), 24 h after (24-h Rec), and 72 h after (72-h Rec) the run. DBT supplementation dramatically shortened the finish times by 14.0% (12.3 min) when compared with that in the placebo group. Significant group × time effects were observed in serum hepcidin and iron levels. DBT supplementation repressed hepcidin levels at Post-Ex and 24-h Rec, thereby causing a significant increase in iron levels by 63.3% and 31.4% at Post-Ex and 72-h Rec, respectively. However, DBT supplementation had no significant anti-inflammatory or haemolysis-preventative effects. Short-term DBT supplementation shortened the running time and repressed exercise-induced hepcidin levels, thereby boosting iron levels and accelerating iron homeostasis during recovery.

Correction of Anemia in Chronic Kidney Disease With Angelica sinensis Polysaccharide via Restoring EPO Production and Improving Iron Availability

Given the limited efficacy and potential disadvantages of erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs) in treating anemia of chronic kidney disease (CKD), the development of better alternative therapies has become a priority. The primary purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of Angelica sinensis polysaccharide (ASP) and its underlying mechanism in the treatment of renal anemia. In the present study, we found that ASP could enhance hypoxic induction of EPO in Hep3B cells, with a mechanism that involved the stabilization of HIF-2α protein. In parallel, ASP rescued the inhibition of EPO, induced by proinflammatory factor TNF-α through blocking GATA2 and NF-κB activation. In a rat model of adenine-induced anemia of CKD, oral administration of ASP corrected anemia and alleviated renal damage and inflammation. By increasing the accumulation of HIF-2α protein and reducing the expression of NF-κB and GATA2 as well as pro-inflammatory cytokines, ASP stimulated both renal and hepatic EPO production, and resulted in an elevation of serum EPO. The restoration of EPO production and EPOR mRNA expression with ASP treatment activated EPOR downstream JAK2/STAT5 and PI3K/Akt signaling, induced their target genes, such as Bcl-xL, Fam132b and Tfrc, and increased Bcl-2/Bax ratio in bone marrow-derived mononuclear cells of CKD rats. Furthermore, we found that ASP suppressed hepatic hepcidin expression, mobilized iron from spleen and liver and increased serum iron. These findings demonstrate that ASP elicits anti-anemic action by restoring EPO production and improving iron availability in the setting of CKD in rats.

Haematopoietic effects of Angelica sinensis root cap polysaccharides against lisinopril-induced anaemia in albino rats

CONTEXT

Angelica sinensis L. (Umbelliferae) has medicinal properties.

OBJECTIVES

The present study evaluates the haematopoietic effects of A. sinensis polysaccharides (ASP) against lisinopril-induced anaemia.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Thirty healthy adult male albino rats were randomly divided into five groups (n = 6). Group I was control group. Group II was treated with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI, 20 mg/kg/day) to induce anaemia. In group III, erythropoietin (EPO, 100 IU/kg/each) was administered in combination with ACEI. Group IV was treated with ASP (1 g/kg/day), extracted from A. sinensis root caps. In Group V, ASP (1 g/kg/day) was treated with ACEI. After 28 days, blood and tissue samples were collected for haematological and histopathological analysis, respectively.

RESULTS

The results showed that ACEI significantly reduced the haemoglobin (Hb, 10.0 g/dL), packed cell volume (PCV, 39.5%), red blood cells (RBCs, 6.2 million/mm³), mean corpuscular volume (MCV, 53.5 fL) and mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH, 16.2 pg/cell) values. In the group treated with ASP, the Hb (13.7 g/dL) and RBCs (7.8 million/mm³) increased significantly (p < 0.05). The combination of ASP and ACEI led to the significant (p < 0.05) reduction in Hb (10.7 g/dL), PCV (33.3%), RBCs (6.0 million/mm³), MCV (54.42 fL) and MCH (16.44 pg/cell) values. While histopathological examination of the liver and kidney cells showed a mild degree of toxicity in the ASP-treated group.

CONCLUSION

ASP has a potentiating effect on haematological parameters when given alone. However, when administered simultaneously with lisinopril, it showed an unfavourable effect with more complicated anaemia so it should not be used with ACEIs.

Investigation of the transport and absorption of Angelica sinensis polysaccharide through gastrointestinal tract both in vitro and in vivo

To investigate the absorption and delivery of ASP in gastrointestinal (GI) tract, cASP was successfully synthesized by chemically modifying with succinic anhydride and then conjugating with a near infrared fluorescent dye Cy5.5. Then, the capacity of oral absorption of cASP was evaluated. The results demonstrated that cASP had low toxicity and no disruption on the integrity of cell membrane. The endocytosis of cASP into the epithelial cells was time- and energy-dependent, which was mediated by macropinocytosis pathway and clathrin- and caveolae (or lipid raft)-related routes. Otherwise, the actin filaments played a relatively weak role at the same time. The transport study illustrated that cASP could penetrate through the epithelial monolayer and mainly mediated by the same routes as that in the endocytosis experiment. Moreover, both in vitro Ussing chamber and in vivo ligated intestinal loops models indicated that cASP could be diffused through the mucus barriers and be absorbed in the whole small intestine. Finally, near-infrared fluorescence imaging presented that cASP could be absorbed and circulated into the blood, then distributed into various organs after oral administration. In conclusion, ASP could be absorbed after oral administration through endocytosis process mainly mediated by macropinocytosis pathway and clathrin- and caveolae (or lipid raft)-related routes, then be absorbed and circulated into blood. This study presents a comprehensive understanding of oral delivery of cASP, which will provide theoretical basis for the clinical application of ASP.

Acidic Polysaccharide from Angelica sinensis Reverses Anemia of Chronic Disease Involving the Suppression of Inflammatory Hepcidin and NF-κB Activation

Anemia of chronic disease (ACD) is the second most prevalent anemia and frequently occurs in patients with acute or chronic immune activation. In the current study, we evaluated the therapeutic efficacy of Angelica sinensis polysaccharide (ASP) against ACD in rats and the potential mechanisms involved. The results showed that ASP inhibited inflammatory hepcidin in both HepG2 cells and ACD rats by blocking the IL-6/STAT3 and BMP/SMAD pathways. In ACD rats, the administration of ASP increased ferroportin expression, mobilized iron from the liver and spleen, increased serum iron levels, caused an elevation of serum EPO, and effectively relieved the anemia. Furthermore, ASP inhibited NF-κB p65 activation via the IκB kinases- (IKKs-) IκBα pathway, thereby reducing the secretion of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and TNF-α, which is known to inhibit erythropoiesis. Our findings indicate that ASP is a potential treatment option for patients suffering from ACD.

Advances on Bioactive Polysaccharides from Medicinal Plants

In recent decades, the polysaccharides from the medicinal plants have attracted a lot of attention due to their significant bioactivities, such as anti-tumor activity, antioxidant activity, anticoagulant activity, antidiabetic activity, radioprotection effect, anti-viral activity, hypolipidemic and immunomodulatory activities, which make them suitable for medicinal applications. Previous studies have also shown that medicinal plant polysaccharides are non-toxic and show no side effects. Based on these encouraging observations, most researches have been focusing on the isolation and identification of polysaccharides, as well as their bioactivities. A large number of bioactive polysaccharides with different structural features and biological effects from medicinal plants have been purified and characterized. This review provides a comprehensive summary of the most recent developments in physiochemical, structural features and biological activities of bioactive polysaccharides from a number of important medicinal plants, such as polysaccharides from Astragalus membranaceus, Dendrobium plants, Bupleurum, Cactus fruits, Acanthopanax senticosus, Angelica sinensis (Oliv.) Diels, Aloe barbadensis Miller, and Dimocarpus longan Lour. Moreover, the paper has also been focused on the applications of bioactive polysaccharides for medicinal applications. Recent studies have provided evidence that polysaccharides from medicinal plants can play a vital role in bioactivities. The contents and data will serve as a useful reference material for further investigation, production, and application of these polysaccharides in functional foods and therapeutic agents.

Silkworm feces extract improves iron deficiency anemia via suppressing hepcidin expression and promoting iron-regulatory proteins expression

In this study, we aimed to explore the preventive efficacy of SFE toward iron deficiency anemia in rats and clarify the underlying mechanisms. Findings suggest that SFE may be an efficient oral iron supplement to ameliorate iron deficiency anemia.

The effects of polysaccharides from the root of Angelica sinensis on tumor growth and iron metabolism in H22-bearing mice

The crude polysaccharide was obtained from the root of Angelica sinensis (AS) to investigate its effect on tumor growth and iron metabolism in H22-bearing mice. In our study, we showed that Angelica sinensis polysaccharide (ASP) was mainly composed of arabinose, glucose and galactose in a molar ratio of 1:1:1.75, with a molecular weight of 80,900 Da and a sugar content of 88.0%. Animal experimental results revealed that three doses of ASP all had anti-tumor effects with inhibition ratios of 27.11%, 31.65% and 37.05%. With respect to iron metabolism, the mean levels of serum hepcidin, interleukin-6 (IL-6), ferritin, transferrin (Tf), transferrin receptor 1 (TfR1) and transferrin receptor 2 (TfR2) in H22-bearing mice were promoted, and serum iron concentration decreased significantly. After treatment with ASP, these iron-related indicators recovered in different degrees. The findings suggested that the anti-tumor activity of ASP may be affected by its regulation on iron metabolism in H22-bearing mice.

Protective effects of the roots of Angelica sinensis on strenuous exercise-induced sports anemia in rats

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Sports anemia is a persistent and severe problem in athletes owing to strenuous exercise-induced oxidative stress and hepcidin upregulation. The roots of Angelica sinensis (AS), a familiar traditional Chinese medicine, has been used for replenishing blood since antiquity.

AIM OF THE STUDY

To evaluate the effects of ethanolic AS extract in a 4-week study on sports anemia in female Wistar rats.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

To induce anemia, a strenuous exercise protocol consisting of running and swimming was employed with increasing intensity. Animals were randomly assigned to the following groups: control group; strenuous exercise group; and strenuous exercise and AS extract-treated group (300mgkg^-1d^-1). After 4 weeks, rats underwent exhaustive swimming and forelimb grip strength test. The blood biochemical markers and hepatic antioxidant activities were determined. Hepatic interleukin-6 and muscle glycogen were observed through immunohistochemical and Periodic acid-Schiff staining, respectively.

RESULTS

AS extract (consisting of ferulic acid, Z-ligustilide, and n-butylidenephthalide) treatment improved forelimb grip strength and rescued exercise-induced anemia by significantly elevating the red blood cell counts and hemoglobin concentrations as well as hematocrit levels (p<0.05). AS modulated the iron metabolism through decreasing serum hepcidin-25 concentrations by 33.0% (p<0.05) and increasing serum iron levels by 34.3% (p<0.01). The hepatic injury marker serum alanine aminotransferase concentrations were also reduced, followed by increased antioxidant enzyme catalase expression in the liver (p<0.05). Furthermore, substantial attenuation of hepatic interleukin-6 expression and preservation of muscle glycogen content suggested the additional roles of AS acting on sports anemia and physical performance.

CONCLUSION

Our findings evidenced a novel and promising therapeutic approach for AS treatment for rescuing the anemic condition induced following 4 weeks of strenuous exercise.

Angelica sinensis in China-A review of botanical profile, ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry and chemical analysis

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Angelica sinensis (Oliv.) Diels, known as Dang Gui (in Chinese), is a traditional medicinal and edible plant that has long been used for tonifying, replenishing, and invigorating blood as well as relieving pain, lubricating the intestines, and treating female irregular menstruation and amenorrhea. A. sinensis has also been used as a health product and become increasingly popular in China, Japan, and Korea.

AIM OF THE REVIEW

This paper aims to provide a systemic review of traditional uses of A. sinensis and its recent advances in the fields of phytochemistry, analytical methods and toxicology. In addition, possible trends, therapeutic potentials, and perspectives for future research of this plant are also briefly discussed.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

An extensive review of the literature was conducted, and electronic databases including China National Knowledge Infrastructure, PubMed, Google Scholar, Science Direct, and Reaxys were used to assemble the data. Ethnopharmacological literature and digitalised sources of academic libraries were also systematically searched. In addition, information was obtained from local books and The Plant List (TPL, www.theplantlist.org).

RESULT

This study reviews the progress in chemical analysis of A. sinensis and its preparations. Previously and newly established methods, including spectroscopy, thin-layer chromatography (TLC), gas chromatography (GC), high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), ultra-performance liquid chromatography(UPLC), and nuclear magnetic resonance analysis (NMR), are summarized. Moreover, identified bioactive components such as polysaccharides, ligustilide and ferulic acid were reviewed, along with analytical methods for quantitative and qualitative determination of target analytes, and fingerprinting authentication, quality evaluation of A. sinensis, and toxicology and pharmacodynamic studies. Scientific reports on crude extracts and pure compounds and formulations revealed a wide range of pharmacological activities, including anti-inflammatory activity, antifibrotic action, antispasmodic activity, antioxidant activities, and neuroprotective action, as well as cardio- and cerebrovascular effects.

CONCLUSIONS

Within the published scientific literature are numerous reports regarding analytical methods that use various chromatographic and spectrophotometric technologies to monitor various types of components with different physicochemical properties simultaneously. This review discusses the reasonable selection of marker compounds based on high concentrations, analytical methods, and commercial availabilities with the goal of developing quick, accurate, and applicable analytical approaches for quality evaluation and establishing harmonised criteria for the analysis of A. sinensis and its finished products. Compounds isolated from A. sinensis are abundant sources of chemical diversity, from which we can discover active molecules. Thus, more studies on the pharmacological mechanisms of the predominant active compounds of A. sinensis are needed. In addition, given that A. sinensis is one of the most popular traditional herbal medicines, its main therapeutic aspects, toxicity, and adverse effects warrant further investigation in the future.

Chronic administration of Angelica sinensis polysaccharide effectively improves fatty liver and glucose homeostasis in high-fat diet-fed mice

This study aimed to investigate the therapeutic effects of Angelica sinensis polysaccharide (ASP), an active component derived from a water extract of Angelica sinensis, in high-fat diet (HFD)-fed BALB/c mice. The potential mechanisms underlying the activity of this compound were also considered. Specifically, serum and hepatic biochemical parameters were evaluated, and key proteins involved in the lipid/glucose metabolism were analyzed. Long-term feeding with a HFD induced severe fatty liver and hyperglycemia. Histological examination clearly showed that ASP reduced lipid accumulation in the liver and attenuated hepatic steatosis in HFD-fed mice. In addition, ASP markedly alleviated serum and liver lipid disorders and fatty liver via the upregulation of PPARγ expression and the activation of adiponectin-SIRT1-AMPK signaling. Furthermore, ASP also significantly relieved severe oxidative stress, demonstrating that ASP might attenuate nonalcoholic fatty liver disease via a “two-hit” mechanism. In addition, ASP reduced blood glucose levels and ameliorated insulin resistance via the regulation of related metabolic enzymes and by activating the PI3K/Akt pathway in HFD-fed mice. Our findings revealed that ASP might be used as an alternative dietary supplement or health care product to ameliorate metabolic syndrome in populations that consistently consume HFDs.

Angelica sinensis polysaccharide regulates glucose and lipid metabolism disorder in prediabetic and streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice through the elevation of glycogen levels and reduction of inflammatory factors

Hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic effects of ASP in prediabetic and T2DM mice.