Plasma and cerebrospinal fluid pharmacokinetics of hydroxysafflor yellow A in patients with traumatic brain injury after intravenous administration of Xuebijing using LC-MS/MS method

Xuebijing Injection Attenuates Heat Stroke-Induced Brain Injury through Oxidative Stress Blockage and Parthanatos Modulation via PARP-1/AIF Signaling

Heat stroke (HS) is a potentially fatal acute condition caused by an interplay of complex events including inflammation, endothelial injury, and coagulation abnormalities that make its pharmacological treatment a challenging problem. The traditional Chinese medicine Xuebijing injection (XBJ) has been shown to reduce inflammatory responses and prevent organ injuries in HS-induced mice. However, the underlying mechanism of XBJ in HS-induced brain injury remains unclear. In this study, HS-induced rat models and cell models were established to elucidate the effects and underlying mechanisms of XBJ injection on HS-induced brain injury in vivo and in vitro. The results revealed that XBJ injection improved the survival outcome of HS rats and attenuated HS-induced brain injury in a concentration-dependent manner. Subsequently, the reduction in viability and proliferation of neurons induced by HS were reversed by XBJ treatment, while the HS-induced increased ROS levels and neuron death were also inhibited by XBJ injection. Mechanistically, HS activated PARP-1/AIF signaling in vitro and in vivo, inducing the translocation of AIF from the cytoplasm to the nucleus, leading to PARP-1-dependent cell death of neurons. Additionally, we compared XBJ injection effects in young and old age rats. Results showed that XBJ also provided protective effects in HS-induced brain injury in aging rats; however, the treatment efficacy of XBJ injection at the same concentration was more significant in the young age rats. In conclusion, XBJ injection attenuates HS-induced brain injury by inhibiting oxidative stress and Parthanatos via the PARP-1/AIF signaling, which might provide a novel therapeutic strategy for HS treatment.

Deep Bottom-up Proteomics Enabled by the Integration of Liquid-Phase Ion Trap

In bottom-up proteomics, the complexity of the proteome requires advanced peptide separation and/or fractionation methods to acquire an in-depth understanding of protein profiles. Proposed earlier as a solution-phase ion manipulation device, liquid phase ion traps (LPITs) were used in front of mass spectrometers to accumulate target ions for improved detection sensitivity. In this work, an LPIT-reversed phase liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LPIT-RPLC-MS/MS) platform was established for deep bottom-up proteomics. LPIT was used here as a robust and effective method for peptide fractionation, which also shows good reproducibility and sensitivity on both qualitative and quantitative levels. LPIT separates peptides based on their effective charges and hydrodynamic radii, which is orthogonal to that of RPLC. With excellent orthogonality, the integration of LPIT with RPLC-MS/MS could effectively increase the number of peptides and proteins being detected. When HeLa cells were analyzed, peptide and protein coverages were increased by ∼89.2% and 50.3%, respectively. With high efficiency and low cost, this LPIT-based peptide fraction method could potentially be used in routine deep bottom-up proteomics.

Hydroxysafflor yellow a confers neuroprotection against acute traumatic brain injury by modulating neuronal autophagy to inhibit NLRP3 inflammasomes

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Hydroxysafflor yellow A (HSYA) is the principal bioactive compound isolated from the plant Carthamus tinctorius L. and has been reported to exert neuroprotective effects against various neurological diseases, including traumatic brain injury (TBI). However, the specific molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying HSYA-mediated neuroprotection against TBI are unclear.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This study explored the effects of HSYA on autophagy and the NLRP3 inflammasome in mice with TBI and the related mechanisms.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Mice were subjected to TBI and treated with or without HSYA. Neurological severity scoring, LDH assays and apoptosis detection were first performed to assess the effects of HSYA in mice with TBI. RNA-seq was then conducted to explore the mechanisms that contributed to HSYA-mediated neuroprotection. ELISA, western blotting, and immunofluorescence were performed to further investigate the mechanisms of neuroinflammation and autophagy. Moreover, 3-methyladenine (3-MA), an autophagy inhibitor, was applied to determine the connection between autophagy and the NLRP3 inflammasome.

RESULTS

HSYA significantly decreased the neurological severity score, serum LDH levels and apoptosis in mice with TBI. A total of 921 differentially expressed genes were identified in the cortices of HSYA-treated mice with TBI and were significantly enriched in the inflammatory response and autophagy. Furthermore, HSYA treatment markedly reduced inflammatory cytokine levels and astrocyte activation. Importantly, HSYA suppressed neuronal NLRP3 inflammasome activation, as indicated by decreased levels of NLRP3, ASC and cleaved caspase-1 and a reduced NLRP3⁺ neuron number. It increased autophagy and ameliorated autophagic flux dysfunction, as evidenced by increased LC3 II/LC3 I levels and decreased P62 levels. The effects of HSYA on the NLRP3 inflammasome were abolished by 3-MA. Mechanistically, HSYA may enhance autophagy through AMPK/mTOR signalling.

CONCLUSION

HSYA enhanced neuronal autophagy by triggering the AMPK/mTOR signalling pathway, leading to inhibition of the NLRP3 inflammasome to improve neurological recovery after TBI.

Pharmacological Activities of Safflower Yellow and Its Clinical Applications

Background. Safflower is an annual herb used in traditional Chinese herbal medicine. It consists of the dried flowers of the Compositae plant safflower. It is found in the central inland areas of Asia and is widely cultivated throughout the country. Its resistance to cold weather and droughts and its tolerance and adaptability to salts and alkalis are strong. Safflower has the effect of activating blood circulation, dispersing blood stasis, and relieving pain. A natural pigment named safflower yellow (SY) can be extracted from safflower petals. Chemically, SY is a water-soluble flavonoid and the main active ingredient of safflower. The main chemical constituents, pharmacological properties, and clinical applications of SY are reviewed in this paper, thereby providing a reference for the use of safflower in preventing and treating human diseases. Methods. The literature published in recent years was reviewed, and the main chemical components of SY were identified based on chemical formula and structure. The pharmacological properties of hydroxysafflor yellow A (HSYA), SYA, SYB, and anhydrosafflor yellow B (AHSYB) were reviewed. Results. The main chemical constituents of SY included HSYA, SYA, SYB, and AHSYB. These ingredients have a wide range of pharmacological activities. SY has protective effects on the heart, kidneys, liver, nerves, lungs, and brain. Moreover, its effects include, but are not limited to, improving cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, abirritation, regulating lipids, and treating cancer and diabetic complications. HSYA is widely recognised as an effective ingredient to treat cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. Conclusion. SY has a wide range of pharmacological activities, among which improving cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases are the most significant.

Pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic modeling analysis for hydroxysafflor yellow A-calycosin in compatibility in normal and cerebral ischemic rats: A comparative study

OBJECTIVE

Astragalus and Safflower are commonly used in the treatment of stroke. Studies have shown that their two active components, hydroxysafflor yellow A (HSYA) and calycosin (CA), have protective effects on cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury (I/R). However, the pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic (PK-PD) modeling study of the combination of the two components has not been reported in rats. The study aimed to perform combined PK-PD modeling of HSYA and CA in normal and cerebral ischemia model rats to explain quantitatively their time-concentration-effect relationship.

METHODS

To make the middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) model. SD rats were randomly divided into normal treated group (NTG) (n = 6), model group (MDG) (n = 6) and model treated group (MTG) (n = 6). Plasma was collected from the mandibular vein after 0, 2, 5, 10, 15, 20, 30, 45, 60, 75, 90, 120, 180, and 240 min after intravenous administration. Rats in NTG and MTG were administered the same dose of HSYA (5 mg/kg) and CA (8 mg/kg) by tail vein injection. HPLC-VWD method was used for detection and analysis. Simultaneously, ELISA was performed to detect the levels of IL-1β and caspase-9 in rat plasma at different time points. The improvement in the above indicators was compared after administration. Lastly, after combining the pharmacokinetic parameters and pharmacodynamic indicators in vivo, DAS 3.2.6 software was used to fit the PK-PD model.

RESULTS

The MCAO model was successfully established. Compared to NTG, there was a significant difference (P < 0.05) in t_1/2α, t_1/2β, V₁, V₂, CL₁, CL₂, AUC_(0-t), AUC _(0-∞), and K₁₂ of MTG for HSYA, and there was a significant difference (P < 0.05) in t_1/2α, V₁, CL₁, AUC_(0-t), AUC _(0-∞), and K₁₀ of MTG for CA_. Compared to NTG, the PK parameters of t_1/2α, V₁, V₂, CL₁, and K₁₀ were higher for HSYA in MTG, while AUC_(0-t), AUC _(0-∞), K₁₂, and K₂₁ were lower; the PK parameters of t_1/2α, V₁, V₂, AUC_(0-t), and AUC_(0-∞) were higher for CA in MTG, while CL₁, CL₂, K₁₀, K₁₂, and K₂₁ were lower. Also, the results of PD showed extremely significant differences in the levels of caspase-9 and IL-1β at the different time points in MTG (P < 0.01) compared with 0 min. The levels of caspase-9 and IL-1β in NTG rats showed little fluctuation and were relatively stable; however, their levels in MTG showed a downward trend with time. There were highly significant differences in the levels of each of the pharmacodynamic indicators at every time point between NTG and MTG (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSION

The PK-PD model of the combined administration of HSYA and CA was successfully established in rats, and the differences in pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic properties between the normal and cerebral ischemic rats were evaluated. Based on comprehensive data analysis, we found that the combination of HSYA and CA may exert protective effects against I/R injury in rats via anti-apoptotic and anti-inflammatory pathways. The study provided additional insights into the development of drugs for ischemic stroke as well as the design of appropriate dosing regimens.

Pharmacological Actions, Molecular Mechanisms, Pharmacokinetic Progressions, and Clinical Applications of Hydroxysafflor Yellow A in Antidiabetic Research

Hydroxysafflor yellow A (HSYA), a nutraceutical compound derived from safflower (Carthamus tinctorius), has been shown as an effective therapeutic agent in cardiovascular diseases, cancer, and diabetes. Our previous study showed that the effect of HSYA on high-glucose-induced podocyte injury is related to its anti-inflammatory activities via macrophage polarization. Based on the information provided on PubMed, Scopus and Wanfang database, we currently aim to provide an updated overview of the role of HSYA in antidiabetic research from the following points: pharmacological actions, molecular mechanisms, pharmacokinetic progressions, and clinical applications. The pharmacokinetic research of HSYA has laid foundations for the clinical applications of HSYA injection in diabetic nephropathy, diabetic retinopathy, and diabetic neuropathy. The application of HSYA as an antidiabetic oral medicament has been investigated based on its recent oral delivery system research. In vivo and in vitro pharmacological research indicated that the antidiabetic activities of HSYA were based mainly on its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory mechanisms via JNK/c-jun pathway, NOX4 pathway, and macrophage differentiation. Further anti-inflammatory exploration related to NF-κB signaling, MAPK pathway, and PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway might deserve attention in the future. The anti-inflammatory activities of HSYA related to diabetes and diabetic complications will be a highlight in our following research.

Research Progress in Chinese Herbal Medicines for Treatment of Sepsis: Pharmacological Action, Phytochemistry, and Pharmacokinetics

Sepsis is a life-threatening organ dysfunction caused by a dysregulated host response to infection; the pathophysiology of sepsis is complex. The incidence of sepsis is steadily increasing, with worldwide mortality ranging between 30% and 50%. Current treatment approaches mainly rely on the timely and appropriate administration of antimicrobials and supportive therapies, but the search for pharmacotherapies modulating the host response has been unsuccessful. Chinese herbal medicines, i.e., Chinese patent medicines, Chinese herbal prescriptions, and single Chinese herbs, play an important role in the treatment of sepsis through multicomponent, multipathway, and multitargeting abilities and have been officially recommended for the management of COVID-19. Chinese herbal medicines have therapeutic actions promising for the treatment of sepsis; basic scientific research on these medicines is increasing. However, the material bases of most Chinese herbal medicines and their underlying mechanisms of action have not yet been fully elucidated. This review summarizes the current studies of Chinese herbal medicines used for the treatment of sepsis in terms of clinical efficacy and safety, pharmacological activity, phytochemistry, bioactive constituents, mechanisms of action, and pharmacokinetics, to provide an important foundation for clarifying the pathogenesis of sepsis and developing novel antisepsis drugs based on Chinese herbal medicines.

MYC/NBS1-Mediated DNA Damage Response is Involved in the Inhibitory Effect of Hydroxysafflor Yellow A on Glioma Cells

Background

The role of Hydroxysafflor Yellow A (HSYA) in glioma is less studied, this research determined the effect of HSYA on glioma cells.

Methods

The expressions of MYC and NBS1 in glioma tissues were detected by bioinformatics analysis and verified by RT-qPCR. The target relationship between MYC and NBS1 was predicted by bioinformatics. After treating the cells with HSYA, silenced MYC, or overexpressed NBS1, the viability, apoptosis, proliferation, invasion, migration, and DNA damage of the glioma cells were detected by MTT, flow cytometry, colony formation, transwell, wound healing, and γH2AX immunofluorescence assays, respectively. IC₅₀ of HSYA in glioma cells was analyzed by Probit regression analysis. The expressions of MYC, NBS1, factors related to migration, invasion, apoptosis, and DNA damage of the glioma cells were determined by Western blot or RT-qPCR.

Results

MYC and NBS1 were high-expressed in glioma, and NBS1 was targeted by MYC. HSYA and siRNA targeting MYC inhibited the cell viability, proliferation, invasion, migration, and induced the cell apoptosis of glioma cells. HSYA upregulated the expressions of MYC, γH2AX, E-Cadherin, Bax, and Cleaved-PARP1, stimulated the activation of NBS1, MRE11, RAD50, and ATM, and downregulated the expressions of N-Cadherin and Bcl2 in glioma cells. SiMYC decreased the IC₅₀ of HSYA in the glioma cells, enhanced the sensitivity of glioma cells to HSYA, and inhibited the activation of NBS1 and ATM. NBS1 overexpression reversed the effect of siRNA targeting MYC on glioma cells.

Conclusion

MYC silencing inhibited the DNA damage response via regulation of NBS1, leading to DNA repair deficiency, and subsequently enhanced the sensitivity of glioma cells to HSYA.

Integrated metabolomics and network pharmacology to reveal the mechanisms of hydroxysafflor yellow A against acute traumatic brain injury

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) has become a leading cause of mortality, morbidity and disability worldwide. Hydroxysafflor yellow A (HSYA) is effective in treating TBI, but the potential mechanisms require further exploration. We aimed to reveal the mechanisms of HSYA against acute TBI by an integrated strategy combining metabolomics with network pharmacology. A controlled cortical impact (CCI) rat model was established, and neurological functions were evaluated. Metabolomics of brain tissues was used to identify differential metabolites, and the metabolic pathways were enriched by MetaboAnalyst. Then, network pharmacology was applied to dig out the potential targets against TBI induced by HSYA. The integrated network of metabolomics and network pharmacology was constructed based on Cytoscape. Finally, the obtained key targets were verified by molecular docking. HSYA alleviated the neurological deficits of TBI. Fifteen potentially significant metabolites were found to be involved in the therapeutic effects of HSYA against acute TBI. Most of these metabolites were regulated to recover after HSYA treatment. We found 10 hub genes according to network pharmacology, which was partly consistent with the metabolomics findings. Further integrated analysis focused on 4 key targets, including NOS1, ACHE, PTGS2 and XDH, as well as their related core metabolites and pathways. Molecular docking showed high affinities between key targets and HSYA. Region-specific metabolic alterations in the cortex and hippocampus were illuminated. This study reveals the complicated mechanisms of HSYA against acute TBI. Our work provides a novel paradigm to identify the potential mechanisms of pharmacological effects derived from a natural compound.

Hydroxysafflor Yellow A: A Systematical Review on Botanical Resources, Physicochemical Properties, Drug Delivery System, Pharmacokinetics, and Pharmacological Effects

Hydroxysafflower yellow A (HSYA), as a principal natural ingredient extracted from safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.), has significant pharmacological activities, such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticoagulant, and anticancer effects. However, chemical instability and low bioavailability have been severely hampering the clinical applications of HSYA during the treatment of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease. Therefore, this present review systematically summarized the materials about HSYA, including acquisition methods, extraction and detection methods, pharmacokinetics, pharmacological effects and molecular mechanism, especially focus on the possible causes and resolutions about the chemical instability and low bioavailability of HSYA, in order to provide relatively comprehensive basic data for the related research of HSYA.