Hepatoprotective effect of total flavonoids from Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch in liver injury mice

Effects of Crude Extract of Glycyrrhiza Radix and Atractylodes macrocephala on Immune and Antioxidant Capacity of SPF White Leghorn Chickens in an Oxidative Stress Model

The natural edible characteristics of Chinese herbs have led more and more people to study them as an alternative product to antibiotics. In this study, crude extracts of Glycyrrhiza radix and Atractylodes macrocephala (abbreviated as GRAM) with glycyrrhizic acid content not less than 0.2 mg/g were selected to evaluate the effects of GRAM on the immune and antioxidant capacity of model animals. Thirty 21-day-old male Leghorn chickens were weighed and randomly assigned to one of three groups of ten animals each. The treatments comprised a control group (CON), in which saline was injected at day 31, day 33, and day 35, an LPS-treated group (LPS), in which LPS (0.5 mg/kg of BW) was injected at day 31, day 33, and day 35, and finally a GRAM and LPS-treated group, (G-L) in which a GRAM-treated diet (at GRAM 2 g/kg) was fed from day 21 to day 35 with LPS injection (0.5 mg/kg of BW) at day 31, day 33, and day 35. The results of diarrhea grade and serum antioxidant measurement showed that the LPS group had obvious diarrhea symptoms, serum ROS and MDA were significantly increased, and T-AOC was significantly decreased. The oxidative stress model of LPS was successfully established. The results of immune and antioxidant indexes showed that feeding GRAM significantly decreased levels of the pro-inflammatory factors TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 (p < 0.05) and significantly increased levels of the anti-inflammatory factors IL-4 and IL-10 and levels of the antioxidant enzymes GSH-Px and CAT (p < 0.05). GRAM resisted the influence of LPS on ileum morphology, liver, and immune organs and maintained normal index values for ileum morphology, liver, and immune organs. In summary, this study confirmed the antidiarrheal effect of GRAM, which improved the immune and antioxidant capacity of model animals by regulating inflammatory cytokine levels and antioxidant enzyme activity in poultry.

Stigmasterol and gastrodin, two major components of banxia-baizhu-tianma decoction, alleviated the excessive phlegm-dampness hypertension by reducing lipid accumulation

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Banxia baizhu tianma decoction (BBTD) originated from the Qing Dynasty Chinese medicine book "Medical Xinwu", which has a clinical application history of more than 300 years. It's a classic prescription for expelling phlegm, extinguishing wind, strengthening the spleen (traditional Chinese medicine, ie, TCM, refers to the spleen channel) and dissipating excessive fluid based on TCM theory. BBTD is particularly effective in the treatment of excessive phlegm-dampness hypertension. However, the precise pharmacological effect of each herb of BBTD on hypertension treatment is not yet fully understood.

AIM OF THE STUDY

To investigate the pharmacological effects of each herb in BBTD on hypertension treatment and to explore the mechanisms behind them.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A high-fat-diet fed animal model was developed to evaluate the efficacy of different groups of drugs in BBTD for the treatment of hypertension. Untargeted metabolism was used to detect the metabolic changes after modeling and drug intervention. Then, Stigmasterol (STI) and gastrodin (GAS), major components of Pinellia Ternate Makino and Gastrodia elata Blume, were selected for treatment on HepG2 cell steatosis model. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting were used to detect changes of corresponding gene and protein after drug intervention to explore the exam anti-hyperlipidemia mechanism of STI and GAS combination.

RESULTS

The weight gain, elevated blood pressure and increased blood lipids induced by high-fat-diet were significantly decreased (p < 0.05) after each prescription medicine intervention in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, 28 differential metabolites (DMs) were detected after modeling and were regulated to normal at varying degrees after each drug group treatment. In addition, eight of the 28 DMs were significantly different from the model group after the full prescription drug intervention, primarily related to four metabolic pathways, while only two metabolites were significantly different from the model group after the unprincipled drug intervention, related to one metabolic pathway. In HepG2 hyperlipidemia cell model, STI, GAS and their combination significantly decreased TC, TG levels and lipid accumulation (p < 0.05), and decreased sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1c (SREBP-1c), fatty acid synthase (FAS), stearoyl-CoA desaturase-1 (SCD1) and their protein expressions (p < 0.05), increased adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and it's protein expression (p < 0.05). The two drugs work better in combination than alone.

CONCLUSION

BBTD has been shown to be effective in reducing lipid accumulation in a high-fat rat model, as well as in restoring the model-induced abnormal metabolites to normal levels in a dose-dependent manner. Pinellia ternata Makino and Gastrodia elata Blume, the main components of BBTD, may regulate lipid metabolism through fatty acid biosynthesis, arginine and proline metabolism. Their main active agents, STI and GAS, effectively reduce lipid accumulation and lipid content in cells and regulate the expression levels of genes and proteins associated with lipid metabolism. These results suggest that BBTD may regulate lipid metabolism via AMPK/SREBP-1c pathway.

A prospective review of the health-promoting potential of Jing Si Herbal Tea

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has gained considerable attention over the past few years for its multicomponent, multitarget, and multi-pathway approach to treating different diseases. Studies have shown that TCMs as adjuvant therapy along with conventional treatment may benefit in safely treating various disorders. However, investigations on finding effective herbal combinations are ongoing. A novel TCM formula, "Jing Si Herbal Tea (JSHT)," has been reported recently for their health-promoting effects in improving overall body and mental health. JSHT is a combination of eight herbs recognized in Chinese herbal pharmacopoeia for their anti-viral, anti-aging, and anti-cancer properties as well as protective effects against cardiovascular, metabolic, neural, digestive, and genitourinary diseases. Thus, to better understand the beneficial effects of the ingredients of JSHT on health, this review intends to summarize the preclinical and clinical studies of the ingredients of JSHT on human health and diseases, and possible therapeutic effects with the related mode of actions and future prospects for their application in complementary therapies.

Spatial Distribution and Characterization of the Small-Molecule Metabolites and In Situ Hydrolyzed Oligosaccharides in the Rhizome of Glycyrrhiza uralensis by Desorption Electrospray Ionization-Mass Spectrometry Imaging and High-Resolution Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry

Characterization and spatial distribution studies of the metabolome in plants are crucial for revealing the physiology of plants and developing functional foods. Using the rhizome of Glycyrrhiza uralensis as a case, we integrated desorption electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry imaging (DESI-MSI) and high-resolution liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry approaches aimed at characterizing and locating both the small molecules and the macromolecular polysaccharides. Under the optimal conditions, 21 flavonoids and 12 triterpenoids were detected and characterized in different tissues of the rhizome and another 19 components were characterized exclusively by DESI-MSI. Combined with hydrophilic interaction chromatography/ion mobility-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry, eight different degrees of polymerization of oligosaccharides (after in situ acid hydrolysis) were characterized from the rhizome of G. uralensis. Majority of these metabolites are located in the cortex, phloem, and medulla, which lays the foundation for understanding the physiology of G. uralensis. The useful information can benefit the sustainable utilization and further development of Glycyrrhiza resource.

The traditional herbal medicines mixture, Banhasasim-tang, relieves the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome via modulation of TRPA1, NaV1.5 and NaV1.7 channels

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

The cause of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), a functional gastrointestinal (GI) disorder, remains unclear. Banhasasim-tang (BHSST), a traditional herbal medicines mixture, mainly used to treat GI-related diseases, may have a potential in IBS treatment. IBS is characterized by abdominal pain as the main clinical symptom, which seriously affects the quality of life.

AIM OF THE STUDY

We conducted a study to evaluate the effectiveness of BHSST and its mechanisms of action in treating IBS.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We evaluated the efficacy of BHSST in a zymosan-induced diarrhea-predominant animal model of IBS. Electrophysiological methods were used to confirm modulation of transient receptor potential (TRP) and voltage-gated Na⁺ (NaV) ion channels, which are associated mechanisms of action.

RESULTS

Oral administration of BHSST decreased colon length, increased stool scores, and increased colon weight. Weight loss was also minimized without affecting food intake. In mice administered with BHSST, the mucosal thickness was suppressed, making it similar to that of normal mice, and the degree of tumor necrosis factor-α was severely reduced. These effects were similar to those of the anti-inflammatory drug-sulfasalazine-and antidepressant-amitriptyline. Moreover, pain-related behaviors were substantially reduced. Additionally, BHSST inhibited TRPA1, NaV1.5, and NaV1.7 ion channels associated with IBS-mediated visceral hypersensitivity.

CONCLUSIONS

In summary, the findings suggest that BHSST has potential beneficial effects on IBS and diarrhea through the modulation of ion channels.

Database of space life investigations and information on spaceflight plant biology

Extensive spaceflight life investigations (SLIs) have revealed observable space effects on plants, particularly their growth, nutrition yield, and secondary metabolite production. Knowledge of these effects not only facilitates space agricultural and biopharmaceutical technology development but also provides unique perspectives to ground-based investigations. SLIs are specialized experimental protocols and notable biological phenomena. These require specialized databases, leading to the development of the NASA Science Data Archive, Erasmus Experiment Archive, and NASA GeneLab. The increasing interests of SLIs across diverse fields demand resources with comprehensive content, convenient search facilities, and friendly information presentation. A new database SpaceLID (Space Life Investigation Database http://bidd.group/spacelid/ ) was developed with detailed menu search tools and categorized contents about the phenomena, protocols, and outcomes of 459 SLIs (including 106 plant investigations) of 92 species, where 236 SLIs and 57 plant investigations are uncovered by the existing databases. The usefulness of SpaceLID as an SLI information source is illustrated by the literature-reported analysis of metabolite, nutrition, and symbiosis variations of spaceflight plants. In conclusion, this study extensively investigated the impact of the space environment on plant biology, utilizing SpaceLID as an information source and examining various plant species, including Arabidopsis thaliana, Brassica rapa L., and Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch. The findings provide valuable insights into the effects of space conditions on plant physiology and metabolism.

Flavonoids of Chromolaena odorata (L.) R.M.King & H.Rob. as potential leads for treatment against tuberculosis

Tuberculosis (TB) is currently rated as the 13th leading cause of mortality and the second leading cause of death after COVID-19, and above AIDS. Existing challenges relating to the development of multidrug-resistant strains and dangerous side effects of currently used drugs add impetus to the search for additional TB treatments. Hence, interest has grown in the use of medicinal plants as a source of bioactive preparations with efficacy against TB-causing organisms, and also with the ability to ameliorate the negative effects of TB drugs. This study aimed to evaluate the antimycobacterial and hepatoprotective potentials of extracts and isolated flavonoid compounds from invasive Chromolaena odorata. Test organisms used were pathogenic Mycobacterium bovis and M. tuberculosis H37RV, and the fast-growing M. aurum, M. fortuitum and M. smegmatis. The selectivity index (SI) values of the test substances were determined through cytotoxicity assays to promote these extracts and compounds as leads for the development of effective and safe anti-tubercular drugs. The antimycobacterial activity was evaluated using a serial microdilution method, and the SI was calculated from the 50% lethal concentrations calculated from cytotoxicity tests. Hepatoprotective activity was determined using HepG2 liver cells treated with rifampicin as a toxin. The extracts and compounds had a range of antimycobacterial activity with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values ranging from 0.031 to 2.5 mg/mL. Two flavonoid compounds, 5,7,4'-trimethoxy flavanone and 5‑hydroxy-3,7,4'-trimethoxyflavone showed promising antimycobacterial potential, and minimal toxicity was observed, as most SI values were higher than 1. The flavonoid compound 5,7,4'-trimethoxy flavanone had the highest SI (6.452), which was against M. tuberculosis H37RV. The HepG2 cells were reduced to 65% due to toxicity by rifampicin, however, the flavonoid compounds were able to improve cell viability to between 81 and 89% at different concentrations tested. Results obtained indicate that C. odorata may serve as a lead for the development of safe and effective antimycobacterial and hepatoprotective drugs.

Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma: The popular occurrence of herbal medicine applied in classical prescriptions

Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma is a well-known herbal medicine with a wide range of pharmacological functions that has been used throughout Chinese history. This review presents a comprehensive introduction to this herb and its classical prescriptions. The article discusses the resources and distribution of species, methods of authentication and determination chemical composition, quality control of the original plants and herbal medicines, dosages use, common classical prescriptions, indications, and relevant mechanisms of the active content. Pharmacokinetic parameters, toxicity tests, clinical trials, and patent applications are discussed. The review will provide a good starting point for the research and development of classical prescriptions to develop herbal medicines for clinical use.

Treatment of Liver Fibrosis after Hepatitis B with TCM Combined with NAs Evaluated by Noninvasive Diagnostic Methods: A Retrospective Study

Objective. Chronic hepatitis B liver fibrosis is an important intermediate link in the development of liver cirrhosis. A retrospective cohort study was conducted in Longhua Hospital affiliated to the Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine in order to prove whether integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine could improve the incidence of CHB complications and clinical prognosis. There are 130 patients with hepatitis B liver fibrosis (being treated from 2011-2021) included in the study, and the patients were divided into 64 TCM users (NAs combined with TCM) and 66 TCM nonusers (NAs antiviral therapy). The serum noninvasive diagnostic model (APRI, FIB-4) and LSM value were used to classify the stages of fibrosis. The results showed that the LSM value was decreased significantly in TCM users compared with TCM nonusers (40.63% versus 28.79%). Indicators of FIB-4 and APRI of TCM users have improved significantly compared with that of TCM nonusers (32.81% versus 10.61% and 35.94% versus 24.24%). The AST, TBIL, and HBsAg levels in TCM users were lower than those in TCM nonusers, and the HBsAg level was inversely correlated with the CD3+, CD4+, and CD8+ in TCM users. The PLT and spleen thickness of TCM users also were improved considerably. The incidence rate of end-point events (decompensated cirrhosis/liver cancer) in TCM nonusers was higher than that of TCM users (16.67% versus 1.56%). The long course of the disease and a family history of hepatitis B were the risk factors for disease progression, and long-term oral administration of TCM was the protective factor. As a result, the serum noninvasive fibrosis index and imaging parameters in TCM users were lower than those of TCM nonusers. Patients in the treatment of NAs combined with TCM had better prognoses such as a lower HBsAg level, a more stable lymphocyte function, and a lower incidence of end-point events. The present findings suggest the effect of TCM combined with NAs in the treatment of chronic hepatitis B liver fibrosis is better than that of single drug treatment.

Inhibition of Soluble Epoxide Hydrolase Activity by Components of Glycyrrhiza uralensis

Soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH) is a target enzyme for the treatment of inflammation and cardiovascular disease. A Glycyrrhiza uralensis extract exhibited ~50% inhibition of sEH at 100 μg/mL, and column chromatography yielded compounds 1–11. Inhibitors 1, 4–6, 9, and 11 were non-competitive; inhibitors 3, 7, 8, and 10 were competitive. The IC50 value of inhibitor 10 was below 2 μM. Molecular simulation was used to identify the sEH binding site. Glycycoumarin (10) requires further evaluation in cells and animals.

Research progress of traditional Chinese medicine compound "Xiaochaihu Decoction" in the treatment of depression

Depression is a common psychiatric disorder under the category of depression syndrome in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) theory. Meanwhile, Xiaochaihu Decoction is a classical TCM formulation regulating Qi, resolving and dissipating stagnation. Clinically, the formulation has long been adopted to treat Shaoyang stagnation syndrome for depression syndrome. In this review, potential targets of action and the corresponding pathways of Xiaochaihu Decoction are explored for depression treatment via network pharmacology. The article also systematically summarizes the active components and pharmacological mechanisms of seven Chinese herbal medicine components in Xiaochaihu Decoction and guides the future study direction of Xiaochaihu Decoction, which may serve a promising treatment for depression.

The Synergistic Action of Metformin and Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fischer Extract Alleviates Metabolic Disorders in Mice with Diet-Induced Obesity

Metformin, an antidiabetic drug, and Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fischer (GU), an oriental medicinal herb, have been reported to exert anti-obesity effects. This study investigated the synergistic action of metformin and GU in improving diet-induced obesity. Mice were fed a normal diet, a high-fat diet (HFD), or HFD + 0.015% GU water extract for 8 weeks. The HFD and GU groups were then randomly divided into two groups and fed the following diets for the next 8 weeks: HFD with 50 mg/kg metformin (HFDM) and GU with 50 mg/kg metformin (GUM). GUM prevented hepatic steatosis and adiposity by suppressing expression of mRNAs and enzyme activities related to lipogenesis in the liver and upregulating the expression of adipocyte mRNAs associated with fatty acid oxidation and lipolysis, and as a result, improved dyslipidemia. Moreover, GUM improved glucose homeostasis by inducing glucose uptake in tissues and upregulating mRNA expressions associated with glycolysis in the liver and muscle through AMP-activated protein kinase activation. GUM also improved inflammation by increasing antioxidant activity in the liver and erythrocytes and decreasing inflammatory cytokine productions. Here, we demonstrate that GU and metformin exert synergistic action in the prevention of obesity and its complications.

Flavonoids and saponins: What have we got or missed?

BACKGROUND

Flavonoids and saponins are important bioactive compounds that have attracted wide research interests. This review aims to summarise the state of the art of the pharmacology, toxicology and clinical efficacy of these compounds.

METHODS

Data were retrieved from PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Proquest, CNKI, Chongqing VIP, Wanfang, NPASS and HIT 2.0 databases. Meta-analysis and systematic reviews were evaluated following the PRISMA guideline. Statistical analyses were conducted using SPSS23.0.

RESULTS

Rising research trends on flavonoids and saponins were observed since the 1990s and the 2000s, respectively. Studies on pharmacological targets and activities of flavonoids and saponins represent an important area of research advances over the past decade, and these important resources have been documented in open-access specialised databases and can be retrieved with ease. The rising research on flavonoids and saponins can be attributed, at least in part, to their links with some highly investigated fields of research, e.g., oxidative stress, inflammation and cancer; i.e., 6.88% and 3.03% of publications on oxidative stress cited by PubMed in 1990 - 2021 involved flavonoids and saponins, respectively, significantly higher than the percentage involving alkaloids (1.88%). The effects of flavonoids concern chronic venous insufficiency, cervical lesions, diabetes, rhinitis, dermatopathy, prostatitis, menopausal symptoms, angina pectoris, male pattern hair loss, lymphocytic leukaemia, gastrointestinal diseases and traumatic cerebral infarction, etc, while those of saponins may have impact on venous oedema in chronic deep vein incompetence, erectile dysfunction, acute impact injuries and systemic lupus erythematosus, etc. The volume of in vitro research appears way higher than in vivo and clinical studies, with only 10 meta-analyses and systematic reviews (involving 290 interventional and observational studies), and 36 clinical studies on flavonoids and saponins. Data are sorely needed on pharmacokinetics, in vitro pan-assay interferences, purity of tested compounds, interactions in complex herbal extracts, real impact of anti-oxidative strategies, and mid- and long-term toxicities. To fill these important gaps, further investigations are warranted. On the other hand, drug interactions may cause adverse effects but might also be useful for synergism, with the goals of enhancing effects or of detoxifying. Furthermore, the interactions between phytochemicals and the intestinal microbiota are worth investigating as the field may present a promising potential for novel drug development.

Protective Effects of Glycyrrhiza Total Flavones on Liver Injury Induced by Streptococcus agalactiae in Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)

Clinical studies have confirmed that Glycyrrhiza total flavones (GTFs) have good anti-hepatic injury, but whether they have a good protective effect on anti-hepatic injury activity induced by Streptococcus agalactiae in tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) is unknown. The aims of this study were to investigate the protective effects of Glycyrrhiza total flavones on liver injury induced by S. agalactiae (SA) and its underlying mechanism in fish. A total of 150 tilapia were randomly divided into five groups, each with three replicates containing 10 fish: normal control group, S. agalactiae infection group, and three Glycyrrhiza total flavone treatment groups (addition of 0.1, 0.5, or 1.0 g of GTF to 1 kg of feed). The normal control group was only fed with basic diet, after 60 d of feeding, and intraperitoneal injection of the same volume of normal saline (0.05 mL/10 g body weight); the S. agalactiae infection group was fed with basic diet, and the S. agalactiae solution was intraperitoneally injected after 60 d of feeding (0.05 mL/10 g body weight); the three GTF treatment groups were fed with a diet containing 0.1, 0.5, or 1.0 g/kg of GTF, and the S. agalactiae solution was intraperitoneally injected after 60 d of feeding (0.05 mL/10 g body weight). After 48 h injection, blood and liver tissues were collected to measure biochemical parameters and mRNA levels to evaluate the liver protection of GTFs. Compared with the control group, the serum levels of glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT), glutamic pyruvic transaminase (GPT), alkaline phosphatase (AKP) and glucose (GLU) in the streptococcal infection group increased significantly, while the levels of total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and reduced glutathione (GSH) decreased significantly; observations of pathological sections showed obvious damage to the liver tissue structure in response to streptococcal infection. S. agalactiae can also cause fatty liver injury, affecting the function of fatty acid β-oxidation and biosynthesis in the liver of tilapia, and also causing damage to function of the immune system. The addition of GTFs to the diet could improve oxidative stress injury caused by S. agalactiae in tilapia liver tissue to different degrees, promote the β-oxidation of fatty acids in the liver, accelerate the lipid metabolism in the liver, and repair the damaged liver tissue. GTFs have a good protective effect on liver injury caused by streptococcus.

Detoxification technology and mechanism of processing with Angelicae sinensis radix in reducing the hepatotoxicity induced by rhizoma Dioscoreae bulbiferae in vivo

Rhizoma Dioscoreae Bulbiferae (RDB) was effective on relieving cough and expectorant but accompanied by severe toxicity, especially in hepatotoxicity. A previous study found that processing with Angelicae Sinensis Radix (ASR) reduced RDB-induced hepatotoxicity. However, up to now, the optimized processing process of ASR-processed RDB has not been explored or optimized, and the detoxification mechanism is still unknown. This study evaluated the detoxification technology and possible mechanism of processing with ASR on RDB-induced hepatotoxicity. The optimized processing process of ASR-processed RDB was optimized by the content of diosbulbin B (DB), the levels of serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and histopathological analysis. The processing detoxification mechanism was evaluated by detecting the antioxidant levels of nuclear factor E2 related factor 2 (Nrf2) and its downstream heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1), quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1), glutamylcysteine ligase catalytic subunit (GCLM), and the levels of downstream antioxidant factors of Nrf2. Besides, the antitussive and expectorant efficacy of RDB was also investigated. This work found that processing with ASR attenuated RDB-induced hepatotoxicity, which can be verified by reducing the levels of ALT, AST, and ALP, and reversing the pathological changes of liver histomorphology. And the optimized processing process of ASR-processed RDB is “processing at a mass ratio of 100:20 (RDB:ASR) and a temperature of 140°C for 10 min.” Further results corroborated that the intervention of processed products of ASR-processed RDB remarkably upregulated the Nrf2/HO-1/NQO1/GCLM protein expression levels in liver, and conserved antitussive and expectorant efficacy of RDB. The above findings comprehensively indicated that the optimized processing process of ASR-processed RDB was “processing at a mass ratio of 100:20 (RDB:ASR) and a temperature of 140°C for 10 min,” and the processing detoxification mechanism involved enhancing the level of Nrf2-mediated antioxidant defense in liver as a key target organ.

Study on the mechanism of anti-hepatic fibrosis of Glycyrrhiza Uralensis-Salvia miltiorrhiza prescription based on serum and urine metabolomics and network pharmacology

Hepatic fibrosis (HF) is a kind of chronic epidemic liver disease. Glycyrrhiza Uralensis and Salvia Miltiorrhiza (GUSM), traditional Chinese medicine, has the obvious clinical treatment of liver fibrosis. This study aimed to investigate the mechanisms of GUSM against HF by an integrated strategy combining untargeted metabolomics with network pharmacology. The results showed that GUSM prescription can improve the morphology and structure of liver tissue, inhibit the proliferation of collagen fibers and reducing the inflammatory response of the liver and so on. Endogenous metabolites and HF-related potential biomarkers in serum and urine were detected by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF/MS). The metabolic pathways were enriched by MetaboAnalyst. GUSM prescription showed an antifibrotic effect on rats by regulating metabolic pathways, mainly pentose and glucuronate interconversions and arachidonic acid metabolism. Network pharmacology was then applied to find 42 overlapping targets of GUSM-HF. Quercetin was found to be the main active component and STAT3 was the main active target in GUSM prescription. Molecular docking showed high affinities between quercetin and STAT3. Therefore, GUSM has protective effects on HF by regulating the metabolism and different signaling pathways. The work also shows that the metabolomic and network pharmacology methods are promising tools to gain insight into the efficacy and mechanism research of traditional Chinese medicines.

Cordycepin Protects against Hepatic Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury via Inhibiting MAPK/NF-κB Pathway

Hepatic ischemia/reperfusion injury (HIRI) is a common complication of liver surgery requiring hepatic disconnection, such as hepatectomy and liver transplantation. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of cordycepin on HIRI and to elucidate the underlying mechanisms. Balb/c mice were randomly divided into six groups: a normal control group, sham group, H-cordycepin group, HIRI group, L-cordycepin (25 mg/kg) + HIRI group, and H-cordycepin (50 mg/kg) + HIRI group. Mice were subjected to I/R, and cordycepin was intragastrically administered for seven consecutive days before surgery. Orbital blood and liver specimens were collected at 6 and 24 h after HIRI. Serum levels of ALT and AST were decreased in the cordycepin pretreatment groups. Notably, cordycepin attenuated the inflammatory response and the production of proapoptosis proteins, while increasing expression of antiapoptosis proteins and decreasing expression of autophagy-linked proteins. Furthermore, cordycepin inhibited activation of the MAPK/NF-κB signaling pathway. Collectively, these results indicate that cordycepin pretreatment ameliorated hepatocyte injury caused by HIRI. As compared with the HIRI group, cordycepin pretreatment mitigated the inflammatory response and inhibited apoptosis and autophagy via regulation of the MAPK/NF-κB signaling pathway.

Croton urucurana Baill. Ameliorates Metabolic Associated Fatty Liver Disease in Rats

Background: Metabolic associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) affects a quarter of the worldwide population, but no drug therapies have yet been developed. Croton urucurana Baill. (Euphorbiaceae) is a medicinal species, that is, widely distributed in Brazil. It is used in popular medicine to treat gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, and endocrine system diseases. However, its hepatoprotective and lipid-lowering effects have not yet been scientifically investigated.

Aim of the study: The present study investigated the effects of an extract of C. urucurana in a rat model of MAFLD that was associated with multiple risk factors, including hypertension, smoking, and dyslipidemia.

Material and Methods: The phytochemical composition of C. urucurana was evaluated by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Spontaneously hypertensive rats received a 0.5% cholesterol-enriched diet and were exposed to cigarette smoke (9 cigarettes/day for 10 weeks). During the last 5 weeks, the animals were orally treated with vehicle (negative control [C-] group), C. urucurana extract (30, 100, and 300 mg/kg), or simvastatin + enalapril (two standard reference drugs that are commonly used to treat dyslipidemia and hypertension, respectively). One group of rats that were not exposed to these risk factors was also evaluated (basal group). Blood was collected for the analysis of cholesterol, triglyceride, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels. The liver and feces were collected for lipid quantification. The liver was also processed for antioxidant and histopathological analysis.

Results: The main constituents of the C. urucurana extract were flavonoids, glycosides, and alkaloids. The model successfully induced MAFLD, reflected by increases in AST and ALT levels, and induced oxidative stress in the C- group. Treatment with the C. urucurana extract (300 mg/kg) and simvastatin + enalapril decreased plasma and hepatic lipid levels. In contrast to simvastatin + enalapril treatment, C. urucurana reduced AST and ALT levels. Massive lesions were observed in the liver in the C- group, which were reversed by treatment with the C. urucurana extract (300 mg/kg).

Conclusion:C. urucurana extract exerted promising hepatoprotective and lipid-lowering effects in a preclinical rat model of MAFLD.

Isolation, Characterization, Pharmacology and Biopolymer Applications of Licorice Polysaccharides: Review

Licorice is known as "Gan-Cao" in traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), belonging to the genus Glycyrrhiza (Family: Fabaceae/Leguminosae). It has a long medicinal history and wide applications in China. Polysaccharides of licorice (LPs) are one of the key bioactive components. As herbal polysaccharides attracted increasing interest in the past several decades, their extraction, isolation, structural characterization, pharmacological activities, and medicinal application have been explored extensively. It is worth heeding that the method of extraction and purification effects LPs, apart from specie and origin specificity. This review evaluates the method of extraction and purification and demonstrates its performance in gaining specific composition and its structure-activity relationship, which might lead the readers to a fresh horizon for developing advanced treatment strategies. It is recently reported that the conformation of LPs plays a vital role as biopolymers, such as selenized modification, microencapsulation, nanocomposite, liposome formulation, drug/hydrogel combinations, biosensor device, and synergistic effect with a vaccine. In addition, LPs showed a good thermodynamics profile, as these properties enable them to interact with additional supramolecular interaction by chemical modifications or copolymerization. Functional polymers that are responsive to various external stimuli, such as physical, chemical, and biological signals, are a promising study topic. Thus, LPs are emerging as a new biomaterial that can enhance intended formulation along exerting its inherent medicinal effects. It is hoped that this review will provide a basis for the utilization and further developments of licorice polysaccharides in the vast medium.

Natural deep eutectic solvents as tailored and sustainable media for the extraction of five compounds from compound liquorice tablets and their comparison with conventional organic solvents

An efficient and environmentally friendly ultrasound-assisted (UAE) natural deep eutectic solvent (NADES) extraction method was applied for the extraction of five bioactive compounds (liquiritin, isoliquiritin, liquiritigenin, glycyrrhizic acid and isoliquiritigenin) from compound liquorice tablets (CPLTs), and the antioxidant activities of these compounds were evaluated. In this study, eighteen different NADES systems based on either two or three components were tested and a 1,4-butanediol–levulinic acid system (1 : 3 molar ratio) was selected as a topgallant solvent for maximizing analyte extraction yields. Various extraction parameters, such as water content, liquid/solid ratio, extraction time and temperature, were systematically optimized by single-factor and response surface methodology (RSM) experiments. The results indicated that the optimum extraction conditions for the analytes featured a water content of 17%, a liquid/solid ratio of 42 mL g⁻¹ and an extraction time of 30 min. The extracted amounts of liquiritin, isoliquiritin, liquiritigenin, glycyrrhizic acid and isoliquiritigenin reached 5.60, 3.17, 1.27, 74.62 and 1.34 mg g⁻¹, respectively, under optimized conditions, which were much higher than those extracted using conventional organic solvents. In addition, antioxidant tests revealed that the NADES extracts showed higher DPPH and hydroxyl radical-scavenging capacity than the conventional solvent extracts used for comparison. This study provides a suitable approach for efficiently extracting the bioactive compounds of CPLTs. Meanwhile, NADESs can be extended to other natural products as green extraction media.

A 1,4-butanediol–levulinic acid system was selected as a topgallant solvent and extraction parameters were optimized. NADES extracts exhibited higher extraction efficiency and in vitro antioxidant activities than conventional solvent extracts.

Discovery of natural 15-LOX small molecule inhibitors from Chinese herbal medicine using virtual Screening, biological evaluation and molecular dynamics studies

Chinese herbal medicines (CHM) are frequently used to treat different types of inflammatory diseases and 15-Lipoxygenase (15-LOX) is a critical target enzyme for treating various inflammatory diseases. In this study, natural 15-LOX inhibitors were identified in CHM using an approach of virtual screening combined with the biological assays. First, an in-house Chinese medicine database containing 360 compounds was screened using a virtual screening approach based on pharmacophore and molecular docking to uncover several novel potential 15-LOX inhibitors. Secondly, the inhibitory effect of virtual screening hits against the 15-LOX enzyme was validated in an in vitro enzyme inhibition assay. Then, a tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) release assay was carried out to explore the anti-inflammatory response of the active compounds. Furthermore, molecular dynamics (MD) simulation and binding free energy calculation were applied to analyze the process of inhibitors binding and also compared the mode of binding of the inhibitors by using the Molecular Mechanics-Generalized Born Surface Area (MM/GBSA) method. Finally, licochalcone B and eriodictyol were confirmed as inhibitors of the 15-LOX enzyme with IC₅₀ values of 9.67 and 18.99 μM, respectively. In vitro cell-based assay showed that licochalcone B and eriodictyol inhibited the release of TNF-α factor in RAW264.7 cells stimulated by lipopolysaccharides (LPS) in a dose-dependent manner. Molecular dynamics and binding free energy analysis showed that the two 15-LOX-ligand systems immediately attained equilibrium with almost 1 Å fluctuation, the calculated binding free energies were found around -18.89 and -12.96 kcal/mol for licochalcone B and eriodictyol, respectively. Thr412, Arg415, Val420, Thr429, Ile602 and Trp606 were the main amino acid residues for the inhibition of 15-LOX enzyme activity. The current study confirms that licochalcone B and eriodictyol are 15-LOX inhibitors and can suppress the release of the TNF-α factor in RAW264.7 cells stimulated by LPS, thus providing a basis for the follow-up research and development for 15-LOX inhibitors.

Morchella importuna Polysaccharides Alleviate Carbon Tetrachloride-Induced Hepatic Oxidative Injury in Mice

This study aimed to investigate the effects of Morchella importuna polysaccharides (MIPs) on carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced hepatic damage in mice. A total of 144 female mice were randomly assigned to four treatment groups, namely, control, CCl4, low-dose MIP (LMIP) group, and high-dose MIP (HMIP) group. After the 10-day experiment, serum and liver were sampled for biochemical and metabolomic analyses. The HMIPs markedly decreased the liver weight under CCl4 intoxication. Furthermore, the significantly elevated concentrations of five serum biochemical parameters, including alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, triglyceride, total cholesterol, and total bile acid under CCl4 treatment were subverted by MIP administration in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, MIPs relieved the increased hepatic malonaldehyde and protein carbonyl content and the decreased superoxide dismutase and catalase contents caused by CCl4 intoxication. There was also a dose-dependent decrease in the CCl4-induced inflammatory indices, such as the levels of interleukin-1, interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and myeloperoxidase, with MIP administration. Subsequent ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry-based serum metabolomics identified nine metabolites between the control and CCl4 groups and 10 metabolites between the HMIP and CCl4 groups, including some critical metabolites involved in flavonoid biosynthesis, amino acid metabolism, energy metabolism, and toxicant degradation. These novel findings indicate that MIPs may be of therapeutic value in alleviating the oxidative stress and inflammation caused by CCl4. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry-based metabolomics provides a valuable opportunity for identifying potential biomarkers and elucidating the protective mechanisms of medicinal mushrooms against hepatic oxidative injury.

Chemometric analysis of active compounds and antioxidant and α-glucosidase inhibitory activities for the quality evaluation of licorice from different origins

Contents of total flavonoids (TFc), total phenolics (TPc), and total crude polysaccharide (TCPc) in licorice from different origins were determined by optimized colorimetric methods, whereas five monomer ingredients (liquiritin [LQ], isoliquiritin [ILQ], liquiritigenin [LQG], isoliquiritigenin [ILQG], and glycyrrhizic acid [GA]) were simultaneously identified and quantified by HPLC-MS and HPLC. The results indicated that the contents of chemical compounds in licorice showed significant difference in different origins. Hierarchical cluster analysis and principal component analysis further proved that producing area indeed affected the quality including compounds and pharmacological activity in licorice. Licorice from Inner Mongolia exhibited the excellent DPPH assay, whereas samples from Gansu and Xinjiang showed high scavenging capacity to OH and ABTS free radicals. Meanwhile, α-Glu inhibitory activity of licorice samples was four times higher than the antioxidant activity. Correlation analysis made clear that TFc and TCPc both strongly contribute to DPPH scavenge capacity at P < 0.01 level, whereas TCPc contributed to α-Glu inhibitory activity at P < 0.05 level. This study would contribute to the comprehensive quality evaluation based on the compounds and pharmacological activity of licorice, and provide a reference for the choice of producing area to ensure the quality of licorice as a medicine.

Prediction of Srebp-1 as a Key Target of Qing Gan San Against MAFLD in Rats via RNA-Sequencing Profile Analysis

Metabolism-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is the most common chronic liver disease worldwide, and the use of traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs) to treat this disease has attracted increasing attention. The Qing Gan San (QGS) formula comprises Polygonatum sibiricum, the peel of Citrus reticulata Blanco, the leaves of Morus alba L, Cichorium intybus, Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch, and Cirsium setosum. The present study aimed to uncover the anti-hyperlipidaemic effects, hepatic fat accumulation-lowering effects and mechanisms of QGS in high-fat diet-induced MAFLD rats. QGS significantly reduced the levels of total cholesterol and triglycerides in both serum and liver tissue and partially protected hepatic function. Additionally, QGS significantly ameliorated hepatic lipid accumulation with histopathology observation, as demonstrated by H&E and oil red O staining. RNA sequencing was used to further investigate the key genes involved in the development and treatment of MAFLD. Hierarchical clustering analysis showed that the gene expression profiles in rats with MAFLD were reversed to normal after QGS treatment. QGS had 222 potential therapeutic targets associated with MAFLD. Enrichment analysis among these targets revealed that QGS affected biological functions/pathways such as the regulation of lipid metabolic processes (GO: 0019216) and the non-alcoholic fatty liver disease pathway (hsa04932), and identified Srebp-1 as a key regulator in the synthesis of cholesterol and triglycerides. Subsequently, both immunofluorescence and Western blot analyses demonstrated that QGS suppressed the transfer of Srebp-1 to the nucleus from the cytoplasm, suggesting that the activation of Srebp-1 was inhibited. Our study reveals the effects and mechanisms of QGS in the treatment of MAFLD and provides insights and prospects to further explore the pathogenesis of MAFLD and TCM therapies.

Metabolomic and Pharmacologic Insights of Aerial and Underground Parts of Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch. ex DC. for Maximum Utilization of Medicinal Resources

The roots of Glycyrrhiza spp. have been utilized in Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for thousands of years. Non-traditional (aerial) parts constitute a large portion of the biomass of Glycyrrhiza plants and are mostly discarded after harvesting the roots and rhizomes. Through comparative phytochemical and anti-inflammatory activity analyses, this study explored the potential benefits of the aerial parts of Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch. ex DC. as medicinal materials. First, a combined approach based on GC/MS and UHPLC-ESI-QTof MS analysis was adopted for the identification and quantitative examination of medicinally important compounds from G. uralensis. Additionally, a bioassay-guided fractioning of ethanolic extracts of G. uralensis leaf material was performed and its anti-inflammatory activity was tested. The aerial portion of G. uralensis was rich in medicinally important compounds. Two compounds (henicosane-1 and decahydroisoquinoline-2) were found to exert a significant anti-inflammatory effect, inhibiting the release of pro-inflammatory mediators (NO and PGE2) and cytokines (IL-1β, IL6, and TNF-α), without exerting cytotoxic effects. Moreover, both compounds down-regulated iNOS and COX-2 mRNA expression. These results suggest that non-traditional parts of G. uralensis are suitable sources of bioactive metabolites that can be explored for medicinal purposes.

Phenoxychromone and 4-hydroxyisoflavans from the roots of Glycyrrhiza uralensis

In an attempt to find species specific markers, a phenoxychromone (1) and eight isoflavonoids including six isoflavans (2-7) and two isoflavanones (8 and 9) were isolated from the root of Glycyrrhiza uralensis. Among the isolated phenolic compounds, glycyurelone (1), glycyurelvanins A and B (2 and 3) were found to be undescribed while others, (-)-vestitol (4), conferol A (5), glyasperin C (6), glyasperin D (7), (-)-licoisoflavanone (8), and (-)-3'-(γ,γ-dimethylallyl)kievitone (9) were previously reported. All compounds except 4 and 5 were prenylated and majority of these possess isoflavan scaffold with highly conserved stereo specificity at C-3 center. Structure elucidation was mainly based on extensive NMR, ECD and mass spectral data analysis.