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Zhang Y, Wang Y, Xin E, Zhang Z, Ma D, Liu T, Gao F, Bian T, Sun Y, Wang M, Wang Z, Yan X, Li Y. Network pharmacology and experimental verification reveal the mechanism of Hedysari Radix and Curcumae Rhizoma with the optimal compatibility ratio against colitis-associated colorectal cancer. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2024; 322:117555. [PMID: 38110130 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2023.117555] [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: 09/22/2023] [Revised: 12/01/2023] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 12/20/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE The herb pair Astragali Radix (AR) and Curcumae Rhizoma (vinegar-processed, VPCR), derived from the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) text 'Yixuezhongzhongcanxilu', have long been used to treat gastrointestinal diseases, notably colitis-associated colorectal cancer (CAC). Hedysari Radix (HR), belonging to the same Leguminosae family as AR but from a different genus, is traditionally used as a substitute for AR when paired with VPCR in the treatment of CAC. However, the optimal compatibility ratio for HR-VPCR against CAC and the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. AIM OF THE STUDY To investigate the optimal compatibility ratio and underlying mechanisms of HR-VPCR against CAC using a combination of comparative pharmacodynamics, network pharmacology, and experimental verification. MATERIALS AND METHODS The efficacy of different compatibility ratios of HR-VPCR against CAC was evaluated using various indicators, including the body weight, colon length, tumor count, survival rate, disease activity index (DAI) score, Haemotoxylin and Eosin (H&E) pathological sections, inflammation cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10, TNF-α), tumor markers (K-Ras, p53), and intestinal permeability proteins (claudin-1, E-cadherin, mucin-2). Then, the optimal compatibility ratio of HR-VPCR against CAC was determined based on the fuzzy matter-element analysis by integrating the above indicators. After high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis for the optimal compatibility ratio of HR-VPCR, potential active components of HR-VPCR were identified by TCMSP and the previous bibliographies. Swiss Targets and GeneCards were adopted to predict the targets of the active components and the targets of CAC, respectively. Then, the common targets of HR-VPCR against CAC were obtained by Venn analysis. PPI networks were constructed in STRING. GO and KEGG enrichments were visualized by the David database. Finally, the predicted pathway was experimentally validated via Western blot. RESULTS Various compatibility ratios of HR-VPCR demonstrated notable therapeutic effects to some extent, evidenced by improvements in body weight, colon length, tumor count, pathological symptoms (DAI score), colon and organ indexes, survival rate, and modulation of inflammation factors (IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10, TNF-α), as well as tumor markers (K-Ras, p53), and down-regulation of intestinal permeability proteins (claudin-1, E-cadherin, mucin-2) in CAC mice. Among these ratios, the ratio 4:1 represents the optimal compatibility ratio by the fuzzy matter-element analysis. Thirty active components of HR-VPCR were carefully selected, targeting 553 specific genes. Simultaneously, 2022 targets associated with CAC were identified. 88 common targets were identified after generating a Venn plot. Following PPI network analysis, 29 core targets were established, with AKT1 ranking highest among them. Further analysis via GO and KEGG enrichment identified the PI3K-AKT signaling pathway as a potential mechanism. Experimental validation confirmed that HR-VPCR intervention effectively reversed the activated PI3K-AKT signaling pathway. CONCLUSIONS The optimal compatibility ratio for the HR-VPCR herb pair in alleviating CAC is 4:1. HR-VPCR exerts its effects by alleviating intestinal inflammation, improving intestinal permeability, and regulating the PI3K-AKT signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yugui Zhang
- College of Pharmacy, Gansu University of Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou, 730000, PR China; Key Laboratory of Standard and Quality of Chinese Medicine Research of Gansu, Engineering Research Center of Chinese Medicine Pharmaceutical Process of Gansu, Gansu University of Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou, 730000, PR China.
| | - Yanjun Wang
- College of Pharmacy, Gansu University of Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou, 730000, PR China; Key Laboratory of Standard and Quality of Chinese Medicine Research of Gansu, Engineering Research Center of Chinese Medicine Pharmaceutical Process of Gansu, Gansu University of Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou, 730000, PR China.
| | - Erdan Xin
- College of Pharmacy, Gansu University of Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou, 730000, PR China; Key Laboratory of Standard and Quality of Chinese Medicine Research of Gansu, Engineering Research Center of Chinese Medicine Pharmaceutical Process of Gansu, Gansu University of Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou, 730000, PR China.
| | - Zhuanhong Zhang
- College of Pharmacy, Gansu University of Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou, 730000, PR China; Key Laboratory of Standard and Quality of Chinese Medicine Research of Gansu, Engineering Research Center of Chinese Medicine Pharmaceutical Process of Gansu, Gansu University of Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou, 730000, PR China.
| | - Dingcai Ma
- College of Pharmacy, Gansu University of Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou, 730000, PR China; Key Laboratory of Standard and Quality of Chinese Medicine Research of Gansu, Engineering Research Center of Chinese Medicine Pharmaceutical Process of Gansu, Gansu University of Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou, 730000, PR China.
| | - Ting Liu
- College of Pharmacy, Gansu University of Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou, 730000, PR China; Key Laboratory of Standard and Quality of Chinese Medicine Research of Gansu, Engineering Research Center of Chinese Medicine Pharmaceutical Process of Gansu, Gansu University of Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou, 730000, PR China.
| | - Feiyun Gao
- College of Pharmacy, Gansu University of Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou, 730000, PR China; Key Laboratory of Standard and Quality of Chinese Medicine Research of Gansu, Engineering Research Center of Chinese Medicine Pharmaceutical Process of Gansu, Gansu University of Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou, 730000, PR China.
| | - Tiantian Bian
- College of Pharmacy, Gansu University of Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou, 730000, PR China; Key Laboratory of Standard and Quality of Chinese Medicine Research of Gansu, Engineering Research Center of Chinese Medicine Pharmaceutical Process of Gansu, Gansu University of Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou, 730000, PR China.
| | - Yujing Sun
- College of Pharmacy, Gansu University of Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou, 730000, PR China; Key Laboratory of Standard and Quality of Chinese Medicine Research of Gansu, Engineering Research Center of Chinese Medicine Pharmaceutical Process of Gansu, Gansu University of Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou, 730000, PR China; Scientific Research and Experimental Center, Gansu University of Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou, 730000, PR China.
| | - Maomao Wang
- College of Pharmacy, Gansu University of Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou, 730000, PR China; Key Laboratory of Standard and Quality of Chinese Medicine Research of Gansu, Engineering Research Center of Chinese Medicine Pharmaceutical Process of Gansu, Gansu University of Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou, 730000, PR China.
| | - Zhe Wang
- College of Pharmacy, Gansu University of Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou, 730000, PR China; Key Laboratory of Standard and Quality of Chinese Medicine Research of Gansu, Engineering Research Center of Chinese Medicine Pharmaceutical Process of Gansu, Gansu University of Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou, 730000, PR China.
| | - Xingke Yan
- College of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina, Gansu University of Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou, 730000, PR China.
| | - Yuefeng Li
- College of Pharmacy, Gansu University of Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou, 730000, PR China; Key Laboratory of Standard and Quality of Chinese Medicine Research of Gansu, Engineering Research Center of Chinese Medicine Pharmaceutical Process of Gansu, Gansu University of Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou, 730000, PR China; Scientific Research and Experimental Center, Gansu University of Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou, 730000, PR China.
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Wei X, Leng X, Li G, Wang R, Chi L, Sun D. Advances in research on the effectiveness and mechanism of Traditional Chinese Medicine formulas for colitis-associated colorectal cancer. Front Pharmacol 2023; 14:1120672. [PMID: 36909166 PMCID: PMC9995472 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1120672] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2022] [Accepted: 02/13/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) can progress into colitis-associated colorectal cancer (CAC) through the inflammation-cancer sequence. Although the mechanism of carcinogenesis in IBD has not been fully elucidated, the existing research indicates that CAC may represent a fundamentally different pathogenesis pattern of colorectal cancer. At present, there is no proven safe and effective medication to prevent IBD cancer. In recent years, Chinese medicine extracts and Chinese medicine monomers have been the subject of numerous articles about the prevention and treatment of CAC, but their clinical application is still relatively limited. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) formulas are widely applied in clinical practice. TCM formulas have demonstrated great potential in the prevention and treatment of CAC in recent years, although there is still a lack of review. Our work aimed to summarize the effects and potential mechanisms of TCM formulas for the prevention and treatment of CAC, point out the issues and limitations of the current research, and provide recommendations for the advancement of CAC research in the future. We discovered that TCM formulas regulated many malignant biological processes, such as inflammation-mediated oxidative stress, apoptosis, tumor microenvironment, and intestinal microecology imbalance in CAC, through a review of the articles published in databases such as PubMed, SCOPUS, Web of Science, Embase, and CNKI. Several major signal transduction pathways, including NF-κB, STAT3, Wnt/β-catenin, HIF-1α, and Nrf2, were engaged. TCM formula may be a promising treatment candidate to control the colitis-cancer transformation, however further high-quality research is required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiunan Wei
- College of First Clinical Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China
| | - Xiaohui Leng
- Weifang Traditional Chinese Hospital, Weifang, China
| | - Gongyi Li
- College of Chinese Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China
| | - Ruting Wang
- College of Chinese Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China
| | - Lili Chi
- Affiliated Hospital of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China
| | - Dajuan Sun
- Affiliated Hospital of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China
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Liu L, Gao H, Wen T, Gu T, Zhang S, Yuan Z. Tanshinone IIA attenuates AOM/DSS-induced colorectal tumorigenesis in mice via inhibition of intestinal inflammation. PHARMACEUTICAL BIOLOGY 2021; 59:89-96. [PMID: 33535870 PMCID: PMC8871617 DOI: 10.1080/13880209.2020.1865412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
CONTEXT Tanshinone IIA is a natural extract derived from a Chinese medicinal herb with multiple bioactivities; however, whether and how tanshinone IIA protects against colorectal cancer (CRC) are uncertain. OBJECTIVE We investigated the potential beneficial effects of tanshinone IIA in a colitis-associated colorectal tumorigenesis mouse model and its underlying mechanisms. MATERIALS AND METHODS Male C57BL/6 mice were treated with azoxymethane (AOM) 10 mg/kg body weight and dextran sulphate sodium (2.5% DSS) to induce a colitis-associated cancer model. Tanshinone IIA (200 mg/kg body weight) was given to the mice intraperitoneally. After 12 weeks, all mice were sacrificed to measure tumour formation, intestinal permeability, neutrophil infiltration, and colonic inflammation. In addition, whether tanshinone IIA has inhibitory effects on neutrophil activation was determined through in vitro investigations. RESULTS We observed that tanshinone IIA significantly decreased tumour formation in AOM/DSS-treated mice compared to AOM/DSS-treated alone mice (0.266 ± 0.057 vs. 0.78 ± 0.153, p = 0.013). Tanshinone IIA also decreased intestinal permeability compared to that in AOM/DSS-treated alone mice (3.12 ± 0.369 vs. 5.06 ± 0.597, p = 0.034) and consequently reduced neutrophil infiltration of the colonic mucosa (53.25 ± 8.85 vs. 107.6 ± 13.09, p = 0.014) as well as intestinal inflammation in mice. Mechanistically, tanshinone IIA downregulated the NF-κB signalling pathway in the colonic tumours of AOM/DSS-treated mice. In vitro assays further validated that tanshinone IIA suppressed LPS-induced neutrophil activation. CONCLUSION These data suggest that tanshinone IIA alleviates colorectal tumorigenesis through inhibition of intestinal inflammation. Tanshinone IIA may have a therapeutic potential for CRC in clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lijie Liu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin, China
- Department of Oncology, First Hospital of Qinhuangdao, Qinhuangdao, China
| | - Hanjing Gao
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin, China
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Tianjin 4TH Centre Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Tao Wen
- Medical Research Center, Beijing Chao-Yang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Tao Gu
- Department of Oncology, First Hospital of Qinhuangdao, Qinhuangdao, China
| | - Shuang Zhang
- Department of Cardiology, First Hospital of Qinhuangdao, Qinhuangdao, China
| | - Zhiyong Yuan
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin, China
- CONTACT Zhiyong Yuan Department of Radiation Oncology, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, West Huan-Hu Road, Hexi District, Tianjin300060, China
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Sui Y, Wu J, Chen J. The Role of Gut Microbial β-Glucuronidase in Estrogen Reactivation and Breast Cancer. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:631552. [PMID: 34458248 PMCID: PMC8388929 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.631552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2020] [Accepted: 07/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Over the past decade, the gut microbiota has received considerable attention for its interactions with the host. Microbial β-glucuronidase generated by this community has hence aroused concern for its biotransformation activity to a wide range of exogenous (foreign) and endogenous compounds. Lately, the role of gut microbial β-glucuronidase in the pathogenesis of breast cancer has been proposed for its estrogen reactivation activity. This is plausible considering that estrogen glucuronides are the primary products of estrogens' hepatic phase II metabolism and are subject to β-glucuronidase-catalyzed hydrolysis in the gut via bile excretion. However, research in this field is still at its very preliminary stage. This review outlines the biology of microbial β-glucuronidase in the gastrointestinal tract and elaborates on the clues to the existence of microbial β-glucuronidase-estrogen metabolism-breast cancer axis. The research gaps in this field will be discussed and possible strategies to address these challenges are suggested.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Sui
- School of Chinese Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Jianming Wu
- Sichuan Key Medical Laboratory of New Drug Discovery and Druggability Evaluation, Luzhou Key Laboratory of Activity Screening and Druggability Evaluation for Chinese Materia Medica, School of Pharmacy, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Jianping Chen
- School of Chinese Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
- Shenzhen Institute of Research and Innovation, The University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, China
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Sun Q, He M, Zhang M, Zeng S, Chen L, Zhao H, Yang H, Liu M, Ren S, Xu H. Traditional Chinese Medicine and Colorectal Cancer: Implications for Drug Discovery. Front Pharmacol 2021; 12:685002. [PMID: 34276374 PMCID: PMC8281679 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.685002] [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: 03/24/2021] [Accepted: 06/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
As an important part of complementary and alternative medicine, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has been applied to treat a host of diseases for centuries. Over the years, with the incidence rate of human colorectal cancer (CRC) increasing continuously and the advantage of TCM gradually becoming more prominent, the importance of TCM in both domestic and international fields is also growing with each passing day. However, the unknowability of active ingredients, effective substances, and the underlying mechanisms of TCM against this malignant tumor greatly restricts the translation degree of clinical products and the pace of precision medicine. In this review, based on the characteristics of TCM and the oral administration of most ingredients, we herein provide beneficial information for the clinical utilization of TCM in the prevention and treatment of CRC and retrospect the current preclinical studies on the related active ingredients, as well as put forward the research mode for the discovery of active ingredients and effective substances in TCM, to provide novel insights into the research and development of innovative agents from this conventional medicine for CRC treatment and assist the realization of precision medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Haibo Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
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Zhou Q, Chen YG, Xiao J, Chen TT, Liu JR, Zhou W, Li WZ, Wang Y, Zhang BP, lin J, Meng FD, Gong B, Zheng GY, Han ST, Cheng HB. Traditional Chinese medicine (Xiaoai Jiedu Decoction) as an adjuvant treatment for prevention new colorectal adenomatous polyp occurrence in post-polypectomy: Study protocol for a randomized controlled trial. Medicine (Baltimore) 2019; 98:e16680. [PMID: 31374049 PMCID: PMC6708956 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000016680] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Colorectal Adenomatous Polyp (CAP) was one precursor of colorectal cancer (CRC) and having a high chance of developing into CRC. There was a lack of conclusive chemoprevention evidences to prevention new CAP occurrence in post-polypectomy. Xiaoai Jiedu Decoction, Chinese National Medical Professor (Zhou Zhongying)'s experience formula, has been used to treat new CAP occurrence in post-polypectomy from the 20th century in China. However, clinical research of Xiaoai Jiedu Decoction in the treatment of CAP recurrence was lack. We design this study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Xiaoai Jiedu Decoction in the treatment of new CAP occurrence in post-polypectomy on colonoscopy. METHODS/DESIGN A randomized, controlled, blind and multicenter trial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Xiaoai Jiedu Decoction is proposed. CAP patients (after complete polypectomy under colonoscopy) will be randomly assigned into Xiaoai Jiedu Decoction group and Xiaoai Jiedu Decoction mimetic agent group. Patients will receive 6-course treatments and a 2-year follow-up. Follow-up colonoscopy will be anticipated to perform in 1 and 2 years after the baseline examinations. The primary outcome measure is the new CAP occurrence in 1 and 2 years. The secondary outcome measure is the occurrence of advanced adenoma in 1 and 2 years. DISCUSSION This study will provide objective evidences to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Xiaoai Jiedu Decoction as an adjuvant treatment for new CAP occurrence in post-polypectomy. TRIAL REGISTRATION NCT03616444.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qing Zhou
- Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine
| | - Yu-Gen Chen
- Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine
| | - Jun Xiao
- Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine
| | | | | | - Wan Zhou
- Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine
| | | | - Yan Wang
- The First Affiliated Hospital With Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu
| | - Bei-ping Zhang
- Guangdong Province Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong
| | - Jiang lin
- Longhua Hospital Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai
| | | | - Biao Gong
- Shuguang Hospital Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine
| | | | - Shu-tang Han
- Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine
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