Essential oil from the raw and vinegar-processed Rhizoma Curcumae ameliorate CCl4-induced liver fibrosis: integrating network pharmacology and molecular mechanism evaluation

Unlocking the potential of chimeric antigen receptor T cell engineering immunotherapy: Long road to achieve precise targeted therapy for hepatobiliary pancreatic cancers

Innovative therapeutic strategies are urgently needed to address the ongoing global health concern of hepatobiliary pancreatic malignancies. This review summarizes the latest and most comprehensive research of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR-T) cell engineering immunotherapy for treating hepatobiliary pancreatic cancers. Commencing with an exploration of the distinct anatomical location and the immunosuppressive, hypoxic tumor microenvironment (TME), this review critically assesses the limitations of current CAR-T therapy in hepatobiliary pancreatic cancers and proposes corresponding solutions. Various studies aim at enhancing CAR-T cell efficacy in these cancers through improving T cell persistence, enhancing antigen specificity and reducing tumor heterogeneity, also modulating the immunosuppressive and hypoxic TME. Additionally, the review examines the application of emerging nanoparticles and biotechnologies utilized in CAR-T therapy for these cancers. The results suggest that constructing optimized CAR-T cells to overcome physical barrier, manipulating the TME to relieve immunosuppression and hypoxia, designing CAR-T combination therapies, and selecting the most suitable delivery strategies, all together could collectively enhance the safety of CAR-T engineering and advance the effectiveness of adaptive cell therapy for hepatobiliary pancreatic cancers.

Investigating the possible mechanism of Cornus officinalis in the therapy of ischemic stroke by UHPLC-Q-TOF-MS, network pharmacology, molecular docking, and experimental verification

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Cornus officinalis is a conventional Chinese medicine for tonifying liver and kidney in ancient China. The active ingredients from Cornus officinalis can delay the progression of cerebral aneurysms, alleviate experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis, and show a good intervention effect on brain diseases. Loganin, the active ingredient of Cornus officinalis, has a neuroprotective effect on cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury in mice. It is yet unknown, nevertheless, how Cornus officinalis works to treat ischemic stroke.

AIM OF THE STUDY

Based on ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole/time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UHPLC-Q-TOF-MS), network pharmacology and molecular docking, Cornus officinalis's mechanism of intervention in ischemic stroke is explored and verified by experiments.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

To examine the chemical components of Cornus officinalis, UHPLC-Q-TOF-MS was used. The network pharmacology was used to construct the "active ingredient-core target-main pathway" network of Cornus officinalis. Then, the link between the main active components and the key protein targets, as determined by network pharmacology, was verified through the application of molecular docking. The middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion (MCAO/R) rat model used in this study was created using the suture technique. The pharmacological effects of Cornus officinalis were explored by neurological function score, behavior, TTC staining, ultrasound and flow cytometry. Western blot and qPCR were used to confirm the core target.

RESULTS

The outcomes of the investigation demonstrated that Cornus officinalis had a potent anti-ischemic stroke effect. UHPLC-Q-TOF-MS method was used to determine 24 chemical constituents in Cornus officinalis, of which 22 components had a close relationship with protein targets relevant to ischemic stroke. The 27 protein targets screened by "active ingredient-core target-main pathway" may be the possible targets of Cornus officinalis in the therapy of ischemic stroke. Most of the 27 protein targets had to do with the inflammatory response, apoptosis and energy metabolism. KEGG enrichment analysis showed that AGE/RAGE ranked high and was closely related to inflammatory response. Molecular docking predicted that the top 10 components in the network diagram had good binding with inflammatory factors IL6, IL-1β and TNF-α protein targets. Western blot research outcomes stated that Cornus officinalis could firmly impede the production of AGE, RAGE, and P-NFκB P65. Cornus officinalis had the potential to prevent ischemic stroke by drastically inhibiting the production of TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6, according to the results of qPCR study.

CONCLUSION

This study found that Cornus officinalis can improve the brain injury, motor ability and blood flow velocity of MCAO/R rats and suppress the inflammatory reaction through the AGE/RAGE/NFκB pathway to exert the therapeutic effect on ischemic stroke.

1α,25(OH)2D3 Regulates the TGF-β1/Samd Signaling Pathway Inhibition of Hepatic Stellate Cell Activation

To investigate the effect of 1α,25(OH)2D3 on hepatic stellate cells and the mechanism of the TGF-β1/Smad signaling pathway.LX2 cells were treated with TGF-β1 and different concentrations of 1α,25(OH)2D3. Cell proliferation was assessed using the CCK8 assay to determine the optimal concentration of 1α,25(OH)2D3 activity. The cell cycle and apoptotic rates were evaluated using flow cytometry. The expressions of Samd2, Samd3, Samd4, and Samd7 was assessed by western blotting, whereas the expression of MMP1, MMP13, and TIMP-1 was detected by qPCR.Compared with the control group, the 1α,25(OH)2D3 group had a higher apoptotic rate of LX2 cells, the cell cycle was blocked from the G1 stage to the S stage, the expressions of Samd2, Samd7, MMP1, and MMP13 increased, while the expressions of Samd3, Samd4, and TIMP-1 decreased.1α,25(OH)2D3 inhibits hepatic stellate cell activation and exerts anti-hepatic fibrosis effects by downregulating the expression of Samd3, Samd4, TIMP-1 and upregulating the expression of Samd2, Samd4, MMP1, and MMP13.

The processing mechanism of vinegar-processed Curcumae Rhizome enhances anti hepatic fibrotic effects through regulation of PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway

BACKGROUND

Hepatic fibrosis, a chronic pathological condition resulting from various forms of persistent liver injury, in the later stage, it can evolve into cirrhosis and even liver cancer. Curcumae Rhizoma (CR), traditionally recognized for its properties in line qi break blood, eliminate accumulation and relieve pain. According to traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) principles, vinegar-processing enhances CR's ability to enter the liver meridian and act on the blood level, potentially augmenting its therapeutic effects on hepatic diseases. Therefore, vinegar-processed Curcumae Rhizoma (VCR) is frequently employed in treating liver fibrosis and related hepatic conditions. However, the underlying mechanisms of vinegar processing in enhancing its therapeutic efficacy remain unclear.

METHODS

The anti-liver fibrosis effects of CR and VCR were verified at individual and cellular levels. Subsequently, HPLC-Q-TOFMS and pharmacokinetic analysis were utilized to elucidate the potential bioactive substances underlying the enhanced anti-fibrotic efficacy of VCR. Building upon these findings, network pharmacology and metabolomics were integrated to screen for key effect components and regulatory pathways. Finally, the mechanisms of action were further analyzed and validated at the tissue and cellular levels through Western blotting (WB) and molecular docking studies.

RESULTS

Both CR and VCR exhibited therapeutic effects against hepatic fibrosis, with VCR demonstrating enhanced efficacy after vinegar processing. 6 sesquiterpenes including furanodiene and curdione, showed significant alterations in plasma exposure and hepatic distribution post-processing. VCR significantly improved pathological liver conditions, lipid accumulation, and fibrosis severity. Additionally, VCR markedly reduced the expression of α-SMA in the liver and attenuated the elevations in liver function markers such as ALT and AST. Combined network pharmacology, metabolomics, and hepatic tissue WB analysis revealed that the reduced phosphorylation of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway is a critical mechanism in VCR's anti-fibrotic effects. Experiments on LX-2 cells demonstrated that four sesquiterpenes, including furanodiene and curdione, effectively inhibited the proliferation of activated hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). Furanodiene, in particular, promoted apoptosis in activated HSCs by reducing phosphorylation levels of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway proteins, increasing BAX expression, and activating downstream caspase-3 to achieve the effect of anti-liver fibrosis.

CONCLUSION

Vinegar-processing significantly increases the plasma exposure and hepatic distribution of components such as furanodiene in VCR, enhancing anti-fibrotic efficacy by downregulating the phosphorylation levels of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway and promoting HSC apoptosis. This study provides a comprehensive explanation of the vinegar-processing mechanism and its role in enhancing the anti-fibrotic effects of VCR, offering insights for its clinical application in liver fibrosis treatment and reference for the mechanistic study of other vinegar-processed herbal medicines.

Research Progress of Chinese Medicine in the Regulation of Liver Fibrosis-Related Signaling Pathways

Liver fibrosis is a common complication of chronic liver disease, significantly affecting patients' quality of life and potentially leading to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Despite advancements in modern medicine, the treatment of liver fibrosis remains limited and challenging. Thus, identifying new therapeutic strategies is of great clinical importance. Signaling pathways related to liver fibrosis play a crucial regulatory role in immune response and inflammation. Aberrant activation of specific pathways, such as the NF-κB signaling pathway, results in the overexpression of genes associated with liver inflammation and fibrosis, thereby promoting the progression of liver fibrosis. Chinese medicine offers unique potential advantages as a therapeutic approach. Recent studies have increasingly demonstrated that certain Chinese medicines can effectively treat liver fibrosis by regulating relevant signaling pathways. The active ingredients in these medicines can inhibit hepatic inflammatory responses and fibrotic processes by interfering with these pathways, thus reducing the severity of liver fibrosis. This paper aims to investigate the mechanisms of Chinese medicine in treating liver fibrosis and its modulation of related signaling pathways. Additionally, it discusses the prospects of the clinical application of these treatments and provides valuable references for further research and clinical practice.

Transplanting network pharmacology technology into food science research: A comprehensive review on uncovering food-sourced functional factors and their health benefits

Network pharmacology is an emerging interdisciplinary research method. The application of network pharmacology to reveal the nutritional effects and mechanisms of active ingredients in food is of great significance in promoting the development of functional food, facilitating personalized nutrition, and exploring the mechanisms of food health effects. This article systematically reviews the application of network pharmacology in the field of food science using a literature review method. The application progress of network pharmacology in food science is discussed, and the mechanisms of functional factors in food on the basis of network pharmacology are explored. Additionally, the limitations and challenges of network pharmacology are discussed, and future directions and application prospects are proposed. Network pharmacology serves as an important tool to reveal the mechanisms of action and health benefits of functional factors in food. It helps to conduct in-depth research on the biological activities of individual ingredients, composite foods, and compounds in food, and assessment of the potential health effects of food components. Moreover, it can help to control and enhance their functionality through relevant information during the production and processing of samples to guarantee food safety. The application of network pharmacology in exploring the mechanisms of functional factors in food is further analyzed and summarized. Combining machine learning, artificial intelligence, clinical experiments, and in vitro validation, the achievement transformation of functional factor in food driven by network pharmacology is of great significance for the future development of network pharmacology research.

The raw and vinegar-processed Curcuma phaeocaulis Val. ameliorate TAA-induced zebrafish liver injury by inhibiting TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Liver injury, the main factor in the pathogenesis of most liver diseases, is a known contributor to acute liver failure, liver fibrosis, or liver cancer. Curcuma phaeocaulis Val. (PEZ) has been broadly used in treating liver injury with satisfying therapeutic effects; however, the mechanism is still unclear.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This study aimed to explore the mechanism of PEZ in ameliorating thioacetamide (TAA)-induced zebrafish liver injury based on a comprehensive method integrating network-based computational prediction and experimental validations.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole exactive mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-Exactive MS/MS) analysis was used to analyze components in raw and vinegar-processed PEZ (VPEZ). Network pharmacology was used to construct a compound-target network for liver injury to predict the possible biological targets of PEZ along with potential signaling pathways. TAA-induced zebrafish larvae liver injury model was established, and the anti-liver injury effect of PEZ by a series of indexes was measured, including liver phenotype analysis, histopathological analysis of liver tissues, and biochemical indexes analysis. Remarkably, the predicted pathway by network pharmacology was further validated using RT-qPCR and Western blotting analyzes in animal experiments.

RESULTS

40 chemical constituents derived from PEZ were identified, while 45 chemical components derived from VPEZ were identified. Based on it, 565 genes related to these identified compounds in PEZ and 1023 genes linked to liver injury were collected by network pharmacology. Critically, KEGG analysis indicated that the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway was recommended as one of the main pathways related to the anti-liver injury effect of PEZ. Experimentally, PEZ could alleviate TAA-induced liver injury. Compared to the liver injury model group without any treatment, the treatment of PEZ significantly reduced the expression of both mRNA and protein targets in the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway. In addition, the effect of VPEZ was more significant than that of the raw one.

CONCLUSION

The raw and vinegar-processed PEZ could ameliorate TAA-induced zebrafish liver injury through TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway.

Hepatoprotective Effect of Medicine Food Homology Flower Saffron against CCl4-Induced Liver Fibrosis in Mice via the Akt/HIF-1α/VEGF Signaling Pathway

Liver fibrosis refers to a complex inflammatory response caused by multiple factors, which is a known cause of liver cirrhosis and even liver cancer. As a valuable medicine food homology herb, saffron has been widely used in the world. Saffron is commonly used in liver-related diseases and has rich therapeutic and health benefits. The therapeutic effect is satisfactory, but its mechanism is still unclear. In order to clarify these problems, we planned to determine the pharmacological effects and mechanisms of saffron extract in preventing and treating liver fibrosis through network pharmacology analysis combined with in vivo validation experiments. Through UPLC-Q-Exactive-MS analysis, a total of fifty-six nutrients and active ingredients were identified, and nine of them were screened to predict their therapeutic targets for liver fibrosis. Then, network pharmacology analysis was applied to identify 321 targets for saffron extract to alleviate liver fibrosis. Functional and pathway enrichment analysis showed that the putative targets of saffron for the treatment of hepatic fibrosis are mainly involved in the calcium signaling pathway, the HIF-1 signaling pathway, endocrine resistance, the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway, lipid and atherosclerosis, and the cAMP signaling pathway. Based on the CCl4-induced liver fibrosis mice model, we experimentally confirmed that saffron extract can alleviate the severity and pathological changes during the progression of liver fibrosis. RT-PCR and Western blotting analysis confirmed that saffron treatment can prevent the CCl4-induced upregulation of HIF-1α, VEGFA, AKT, and PI3K, suggesting that saffron may regulate AKT/HIF-1α/VEGF and alleviate liver fibrosis.

Active ingredients screening and pharmacological mechanism research of curcumae rhizoma-sparganii rhizoma herb pair ameliorates liver fibrosis based on network pharmacology

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Curcumae Rhizoma-Sparganii Rhizoma (CR-SR) is a classic herbal pair to promote blood circulation and remove blood stasis in ancient China. However, the molecular mechanism is still unclear.

AIM OF STUDY

To screen out the anti-liver fibrosis active ingredients in CR-SR. Moreover, preliminary exploration the molecular mechanism of CR-SR to ameliorates liver fibrosis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this research, plant taxonomy has been confirmed in the "The Plant List" database (www.theplantlist.org). The chemical components of CR-SR were analysed by ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole/time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q/TOF-MS). "Component-Target-Pathway-Disease" network of CR-SR components were built by network pharmacology. Then, the interaction between primary components and predicted protein targets based on network pharmacology were validated by molecular docking. The pharmacological actions of CR-SR were verified by blood biochemical indexes, histopathologic examination of CCL₄ induced rats' model. The core protein targets were verified by Western blot. The effects of screened active components by molecular autodocking were verified by HSC-T6 cell experiment.

RESULTS

The result shows that 57 chemical constituents in CR-SR herbal pair were identified by UPLC-Q/TOF-MS, in which, 27 compounds were closely connected with liver fibrosis related protein targets. 55 protein targets screened out by "component-target-pathway-disease network" maybe the underlying targets for CR-SR to cure liver fibrosis. Moreover, the 55 protein targets are mainly related to RNA transcription, apoptosis, and signal transduction. The molecular autodocking predicted that ten components can bond well with PTGS2 and RELA protein targets. The blood biochemical indexes, histopathologic examination of CCL₄ induced rats experiment showed that CR-SR has well intervention effect of liver fibrosis. The Western blot analysis indicated that CR-SR could significantly inhibit RELA, PTGS2, IL-6, SRC, and AKT1 protein expression to exert the anti-fibrosis effect. The HSC-T6 cell experiment indicated that both formononetin (FNT) and curdione could significantly inhibit the activation of HSC and reduce the expression of PTGS2, and p-AKT1 which was accordance with the molecular autodocking results.

CONCLUSION

This study proved the molecular mechanism of CR-SR multi-component and multi-target anti-liver fibrosis effect through mass spectrometry, network pharmacology, and western blotting technology. The research provides a theoretical evidence for the development and utilization of CR-SR herbal pair.

Uncovering the molecular mechanisms of Curcumae Rhizoma against myocardial fibrosis using network pharmacology and experimental validation

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Myocardial fibrosis leads to cardiac remodeling and dysfunction. Curcumae Rhizoma has been utilized in clinical trials to treat a variety of cardiovascular illnesses, although its role in myocardial fibrosis is unknown.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The purpose of current study was to explore the potential mechanism action and anti-myocardial fibrosis effects of treatment with Curcumae Rhizoma.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The chemical components in the aqueous extract from Curcumae Rhizoma were identified using GC-MS analysis. A prediction network describing the relationship between Curcumae Rhizoma and MF was established based on information collected from multiple databases. Functional enrichment analysis was performed to investigate the specific functions and pathways involved in the candidate Curcumae Rhizoma targets acting on MF, which were further validated by vivo experiments.

RESULTS

There were 444 targets obtained from the 39 active ingredients in Curcumae Rhizoma, and 5691 disease targets related to MF were identified. Then, 41 key targets were determined with the PPI interaction network, which was structured from 324 overlapping gene targets. GO and KEGG analyses revealed that the p38 MAPK/NF-κB and TGF-β1/Smad2/3 signaling pathways might play crucial roles in the therapeutic mechanism of MF. According to the results of molecular docking, the binding activity between core components and targets was marvelous (affinity < -6 kcal/mol). Take it a step further, the experimental validation data affirmed that Curcumae Rhizoma substantially decreased myocardial fibrosis and recovered cardiac function in the ISO-induced rats. The associated proteins expression data implied that the p38 MAPK/NF-κB and TGF-β1/Smad2/3 pathways might be vital in the anti-fibrosis effect of Curcumae Rhizoma.

CONCLUSION

The findings suggested that Curcumae Rhizoma diminished myocardial fibrosis by suppressing fibrosis multiplication and collagen deposition through inhibiting p38 MAPK/NF-κB and TGF-β1/Smad2/3 pathways, which might be a promising therapeutic medicament for alleviating myocardial fibrosis.

On the Core Prescriptions and Their Mechanisms of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Hepatitis B, Liver Cirrhosis, and Liver Cancer Treatment

Background

As a frequent cause of death in cancer patients, liver cancer usually occurs in hepatitis B and cirrhosis. In China, Chinese people have been using traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in treating various chronic liver diseases, which could effectively improve the symptoms and slow down the progression of liver diseases. However, due to the complexity rules of TCM prescription, their action mechanisms are still not clearly understood, which may affect the popularization of effective prescriptions. This study aims to identify the core TCM herbs in the treatment of hepatitis B, liver cirrhosis, and liver cancer so as to clarify the mechanism of action of the core herb networks.

Methods

There were 1,673 prescriptions for chronic liver diseases collected in this study, of which 854 were hepatic B prescriptions, 530 were for liver cirrhosis, and 289 were for liver cancer. The basic characteristics of herbal medicine were firstly explained via descriptive analysis, then the core prescriptions of herbal medicine were analyzed through association rule, and finally, the mechanism of core prescriptions was explored with the help of systematic network pharmacology and by applying such databases as TCMIP, HERB, OMIM, GeneCards, KEGG, and software like RStudio and Cytoscape.

Results

The rule of the core prescriptions in these cases was characterized by the application of herbs with both cold and warm properties, in which bitter herbs with cold property took priority. Tonifying deficiency, clearing heat, and activating blood circulations to remove stasis were common treatment principles for the three liver diseases. Turmeric Root Tuber (YuJin), White Peony Root (BaiShao), Bupleurum (ChaiHu), Salvia miltiorrhiza (DanShen), and Astragali Radix (HuangQi) were prescribed the most in hepatitis B treatment to invigorate the spleen and soothe the liver. Astragali Radix (HuangQi), Tuckahoe (FuLing), Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma (BaiZhu), Fructus Polygoni Orientalis (ShuiHongHuaZi), and Curcumae Rhizome (EZhu) were most frequently applied in liver cirrhosis treatment to replenish qi and activate blood. Oldenlandia (BaiHuaSheSheCao), Bearded Scutellaria (BanZhiLian), Curcumae Rhizome (EZhu), and Cardamom (DouKou) were most frequently prescribed to eliminate cancer toxin, invigorate the spleen, and activate blood. These core herbs mainly act through signal transduction and immune system pathways, in which the PI3K-Akt pathway plays a key role. The core prescription for liver cirrhosis regulated more endocrine system pathways than the hepatitis B prescription, and liver cancer prescription regulated more nervous system-related pathways.

Conclusion

Three core prescriptions for hepatitis B, liver cirrhosis, and liver cancer treatment were identified, which acted mainly through signal transduction and immune system pathways to regulate immunity and cell growth and participate in inflammation inhibition, in which liver cancer prescription regulated more pathways, especially more nervous system-related pathways than the other two.

Systems pharmacology and GC-MS metabolomics reveal the efficacy and mechanisms of zedoary oil on acute liver injury induced by oxidative stress

BACKGROUND

Zedoray oil (ZO) is the main component of Curcuma zedoaria, one traditional herb used for dispersing stasis clinically in China. Previously, the potential of ZO was discovered against lethal and acute liver injury (ALI) mice with little impact on the immune, which deserved further study.

METHODS

An approach combined systems pharmacology with GC-MS metabolomics was applied for predicting pathways affected by ZO. Subsequently, H₂O₂ and tertbutyl hydroperoxide (t-BHP) were respectively applied to induce the ALI model in vitro for validation.

RESULTS

First, systems pharmacology and intracellular metabolites suggested that ZO might regulate oxidative stress via PI3K/Akt/FoxO1 pathway, TCA cycle, pantothenate, and CoA biosynthesis, beta-alanine metabolism, and propanoate metabolism. Further, levels of ALT, AST, ROS, T-AOC, MDA, GR, ΔΨm, and related proteins affected by ZO had been detected to validate the above mechanisms using dual cell models.

CONCLUSION

ZO could protect the L02 cells against ALI by regulating the PI3K/Akt/FoxO1 pathway, as well as restore the function of mitochondria and redox imbalance damaged by toxicants. This work has uncovered the nonimmune mechanisms of ZO against ALI to provide the basis for relevant research and disease treatment.

Curcumae rhizoma and its major constituents against hepatobiliary disease: Pharmacotherapeutic properties and potential clinical applications

BACKGROUND

Hepatobiliary disease currently serves as an urgent health issue in public due to health-modulating factors such as extension of life expectancy, increasingly sedentary lifestyles and over-nutrition. A definite treatment remains lacking owing to different stages of the disease itself and its intricate pathogenesis. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has been gradually popularized in clinic with the satisfactory efficacy and good safety. Curcumae Rhizoma (called E Zhu, EZ in Chinese) is a representative herb, which has been used to treat hepatobiliary disease for thousands of years.

PURPOSE

To systematically summarize the recent research advances on the pharmacological activities of EZ and its constituents, explain the underlying mechanisms of preventing and treating hepatobiliary diseases, and assess the shortcomings of existing work. Besides, ethnopharmacology, phytochemicals, and toxicology of EZ have been researched.

METHODS

The information about EZ was collected from various sources including classic books about Chinese herbal medicine, and scientific databases including Web of Science, PubMed, ScienceDirect, Springer, ACS, SCOPUS, CNKI, CSTJ, and WANFANG using keywords given below and terms like pharmacological and phytochemical details of this plant.

RESULTS

The chemical constituents isolated and identified from EZ, such as terpenoids including β-elemene, furanodiene, germacrone, etc. and curcuminoids including curcumin, demethoxycurcumin, bisdemethoxycurcumin, etc. prove to have hepatoprotective effect, anti-liver fibrotic effect, anti-fatty liver effect, anti-liver neoplastic effect, and cholagogic effect through TGF-β1/Smad, JNK1/2-ROS, NF-κB and other anti-inflammatory and antioxidant signaling pathways. Also, EZ is often combined with other Chinese herbs in the treatment of hepatobiliary diseases with good clinical efficacy and no obvious adverse reactions.

CONCLUSION

It provides a preclinical basis for the efficacy of EZ as an effective therapeutic agent for the prevention and treatment of hepatobiliary diseases. Even so, the further studies still needed to alleviate hepatotoxicity and expand clinical application.

The association study of chemical compositions and their pharmacological effects of Cyperi Rhizoma (Xiangfu), a potential traditional Chinese medicine for treating depression

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Cyperi Rhizoma (CR) derives from the rhizome or tuber of Cyperus rotundus L. of Cyperaceae. It is an herbal medicine which has been widely used in different healthcare systems like in China, India, Iran, and Japan. In Chinese medicine, CR could promote the flow of Qi in the Liver and Sanjiao channels, regulate menstruation and alleviate pain. Clinically, CR is used for depression, flatulence, hypochondriac pain, and dysmenorrhea. Thus, it has a long history and significant curative effect for the treatment of various Qi stagnation symptoms.

AIM OF THIS REVIEW

This review focuses on explaining the major antidepressant mechanisms of CR, and assessing the shortcomings of existing work. Besides, clinical applications, pharmacological effects and their corresponding chemical compositions and quality control of CR have been researched.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The search terms "Cyperus rotundus L." was used to obtain the literatures from electronic databases such as Web of Science, ScienceDirect, PubMed, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI). The information provided in this review to illustrate material basis of CR were only limited to papers which reported on the chemical compositions and pharmacological effects simultaneously.

RESULT

The study showed that CR has significant application in Qi stagnation, like depressed liver, stomach, and bowel disorders, etc. in different countries or districts. Aqueous extract, EtOH extract, essential oil, total oligomeric flavonoids and five other extracts were effective constituents displaying pharmacological activities such as antibacterial, antioxidant, neuroprotective, antihemolytic, and anti-inflammatory effect. 41 kinds of specific components like α-cyperone, nootkatone exhibited corresponding pharmacological activities mentioned above. Different concentrations of ethanol extract, essential oil, decoction of CR and monomer composition like α-cyperone, rotunduside G had anti-depressant effects.

CONCLUSIONS

In the present study, we have provided scientific information and research developments on traditional uses, phytochemical compositions and corresponding pharmacological activities, and quality control status on CR. The antidepression effect and its corresponding chemical compositions were generalized separately. The pharmacological activities studies should be more focused on the reflection of traditional clinical values. CR could be a significant potential herbal medicine to develop antidepressant drugs with lower side effects.

Identification of Key Drug Targets and Molecular Mechanisms of Curcumae Rhizoma Acting on HBV-Related HCC: Weighted Correlation Network and Network Pharmacological Analyses

Background

Hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has poor prognosis and high mortality rate. Curcumae Rhizoma, a classic Chinese medicinal herb, is often used to treat tumors.

Methods

Active ingredients of Curcumae Rhizoma were extracted from the Traditional Chinese Medicine Database and Analysis Platform (TCMSP) database, and potential targets were predicted by the TCMSP database and Swiss Target Prediction database. The key drug targets were filtered by intersecting predicted targets, DEGs, and genes in important modules from WGCNA. Besides, the key drug targets were used to construct a network of "herb-active ingredient-target-disease" interactions and subjected to enrichment analysis and protein-protein interaction (PPI) analysis. The hub targets based on PPI analysis was evaluated by the KMplotter database.

Results

Three active ingredients of Curcumae Rhizoma were collected with OB ≥ 30% and DL ≥ 0.18, including hederagenin, wenjine, and bisdemethoxycurcumin. The key drug targets were mainly enriched in cell cycle checkpoint, DNA integrity checkpoint, and peptidyl-serine modification. Besides, Curcumae Rhizoma treatment of HBV-related HCC mainly involved the p53 signaling pathway and arachidonic acid metabolism. Finally, ESR1 and PTGS2 were identified as hub targets from PPI analysis. ESR1 was found to be correlated with survival in liver cancer patients with hepatitis.

Conclusion

Based on WGCNA and network pharmacological analysis, our results illustrated that Curcumae Rhizoma might work through regulating multitargets and multipathways in HBV-related HCC.