Effects of Guilingji on Aging Rats and Its Underlying Mechanisms

Study on the anti-skin aging effect and mechanism of Sijunzi Tang based on network pharmacology and experimental validation

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Si Jun Zi Tang (SJZT) is a famous traditional Chinese medicine formula composing of 4 herbal medicines (Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma, Atractylodis macrocephalae Rhizoma, Poria, and Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma) with tonifying spleen and anti-aging effects. It is also known that SJZT can be used to tone, nourish the skin and accelerate wound healing. However, due to the complexity of the formulation, the anti-aging especially anti-skin aging mechanisms as well as the key components of SJZT have not been fully investigated. Therefore, further in vitro and in vivo experimental studies are particularly needed to investigate the anti-skin ageing efficacy of SJZT.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The purpose of this article was to explore the therapeutic effect and possible pharmacological mechanism of SJZT in the treatment of skin aging by topical application using network pharmacology and to validate the findings using in vitro and in vivo tests.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Network pharmacology method was applied to predict the underlying biological function and mechanism involved in the anti-skin aging effect of SJZT. Molecular docking was used to preliminarily predict the active components of SJZT-Skin Aging. UPLC QTOF MS/MS was carried out to analyze the chemical compounds. Finally, to confirm the anti-skin aging effort of SJZT, a mouse skin-aging model and UVB-induced EpiSCs (epidermal stem cells) senescence model were established.

RESULTS

PPI network analysis and KEGG studies indicated that TP53, CDKN2A, TNF, IL6, and IL1B might be parts of the core targets associated with EpiSCs senescence. Furthermore, molecular docking suggested the top active components, glycyrrhizin, ginsenoside Rg5, ginsenoside Rh2, liquiritin, polyporenic acid C and atractylenolide II showed strong affinity to the key proteins involved in cellular senescence signaling. UPLC QTOF MS/MS analysis of SJZT confirmed the presence of these key components. In-vivo experiments revealed that SJZT could improve UVB-induced skin thickening, increase the number of collagen fibers, strengthen the structure of elastin fibers, and decrease the expression of MDA, as well as increase the expression of CAT and T-SOD in the skin tissue of mouse. And, in-vitro experiments indicated that SJZT could reduce ROS generation and oxidative stress, increase mitochondrial membrane potential, and upregulate the expression of stem cell markers. Moreover, SJZT could suppress the expression of p53, p-p53 and p21, downregulated p38 phosphorylation. Furthermore, the anti-cellular senescence effect of SJZT on EpiSCs disappeared after treatment with the p38 inhibitor adesmapimod. Taken all together, the regulation of senescence signaling in EpiSCs is an important mechanism of SJZT in combating skin aging.

CONCLUSION

The research results indicate that SJZT has anti-skin aging effects on UVB-induced skin-aging model, possibly by mediating p38/p53 signaling pathway. These findings strongly demonstrate the great potential of SJZT as an active composite for anti-skin aging and cosmeceutical applications.

How soon do metabolic alterations and oxidative distress precede the reduction of muscle mass and strength in Wistar rats in aging process?

Here we investigate metabolic changes, the antioxidant system and the accumulation of oxidative damage in muscles with different fiber types during the aging process in Wistar rats and try to map how sooner the changes occur. To do so, 30 male Wistar rats were submitted to behavioral evaluation to determine voluntary strength in the 11, 15, and 19 month old rats, measuring the energy metabolism, antioxidant system, oxidative damage and structure in the soleus and extensor digitorum longus muscles. We detected structural and metabolic changes in both muscles, especially in the EDL of 15 month old rats and in the soleus of 19 month old rats. In the 15 month old rats, there was a reduction in the cross-sectional area of the fibers, and a reduction in the proportion of type I fibers, accompanied by an increase in fiber density and the amount of type IIA fibers. This change in the fiber profile was followed by an increase in the activity of anaerobic metabolism enzymes, suggesting a reduction in the oxidative capacity of the muscle. In addition, there was an increase in the rate of lipid peroxidation, accompanied by a reduced antioxidant capacity. In the 19 month old rats, these disturbances got stronger. In summary, the present study demonstrated that before functional disturbances, there was an accumulation of oxidative damage and structural changes in the skeletal muscle beginning at 15 months old in the EDL and the soleus only in the biochemical parameters. Therefore, the metabolic alterations occurred at 15 months old and not before.

Antioxidant and Anti-Aging Properties of Polyphenol-Polysaccharide Complex Extract from Hizikia fusiforme

Hizikia fusiforme has a long history of consumption and medicinal use in China. It has been found that natural plants containing polyphenol-polysaccharide complexes have better activity compared with polyphenols and polysaccharides. Therefore, in this study on enzymatic hydrolysis and fractional alcohol precipitation, two kinds of polyphenol-polysaccharide complexes (PPC), PPC1 and PPC2, were initially obtained from Hizikia fusiforme, while the dephenolization of PPC1 and PPC2 produced PPC3 and PPC4. Through in vitro assays, PPC2 and PPC4 were found to have higher antioxidant activity, and thus were selected for testing the PPCs' anti-aging activity in a subsequent in vivo experiment with D-gal-induced aging in mice. The results indicated that PPCs could regulate the expressions of antioxidant enzymes and products of oxidation, elevate the expressions of genes and proteins related to the Nrf2 pathway in the mouse brain, enrich the gut microbiota species and increase the Bacteroidota-Firmicute (B/F) ratio. Above all, the Hizikia fusiforme polyphenol-polysaccharide complex has potential in the development of natural anti-aging drugs.

A Systematic Review of In Vivo Studies of the Efficacy of Herbal Medicines for Anti-Aging in the Last Five Years

Background: The world’s population is rapidly aging, and attention to and research on the increase in life expectancy and age-related diseases are needed. This study aimed to review the in vivo studies on the anti-aging effects of herbal medicines. Methods: In vivo studies of single or complex herbal medicines for anti-aging that were published in the last five years were included in this review. The following databases were used: PubMed, Scopus, ScienceDirect, Web of Science and EMBASE. Results: A total of 41 studies were considered eligible for the review. The articles were classified into body organs and functions, experimental country, herbal medicine, extraction method, administration route, dosage, duration, animal model, aging-induced method, sex, number of animals per group, and outcomes and mechanisms A single herbal extract was used in a total of 21 studies including Alpinia oxyphylla Miq., Acanthopanax senticosus and Lyceum barbarum, and a multi-compound herbal prescription was used in a total of 20 studies, including Modified Qiongyu paste, Wuzi Yanzong recipe, etc. Each herbal medicine had anti-aging effects on learning and memory, cognition, emotion, internal organs, gastrointestinal tracts, sexual functions, musculoskeletal function and so on. The common mechanisms of action were antioxidant and anti-inflammatory, and various effects and mechanisms for each organ and function were identified. Conclusions: Herbal medicine exhibited beneficial effects on anti-aging in various parts of the body and its function. Further investigation of the appropriate herbal medicine prescriptions and their components is recommended.

Brain and testicular metabonomics revealed the protective effects of Guilingji on senile sexual dysfunction rats

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Guilingji (GLJ), which has been used to treat male diseases in China for centuries, contains 28 Chinese herbs and was previously established as an effective treatment for male sexual dysfunction. However, its mechanism of action remains unclear.

AIM OF THE STUDY

To explore the efficacy and mechanism of action of GLJ in improving senile sexual dysfunction (SSD) in aging rats.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

An aging rat model of SSD was induced by the subcutaneous injection of d-galactose (300 mg⋅kg^-1) and used to analyse the effects of GLJ (different concentrations of 37.5, 75, and 150 mg⋅kg^-1) on the mating of aging rats. At the end of the 8th week, histopathological analysis of testicular tissues, assessment of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis hormone levels in serum or brain, and metabonomics analysis of the brain and testicular tissue with liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry was performed to explore the mechanism of action of GLJ.

RESULT

After treatment with GLJ, the mount and ejaculation latency levels were increased in the treatment group than those in model group (P < 0.05), moreover, the testicular morphology was improved. Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) levels in rats were also improved significant (P < 0.05) compared with those in the model group. Furthermore, the metabonomics results in the testicular and brain tissue showed that GLJ improved SSD by adjusting amino acid and lipid metabolism.

CONCLUSION

This study integrated the complementary metabolic profiles of the target tissues. GLJ might affect SSD rats by regulating amino acid and lipid metabolism and may modulate sensitivity to the signaling pathway in the HPG axis. This study provides an essential basis for the broad clinical application of GLJ.

The Effect of Guilingji Capsules on Vascular Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Controlled Trial

Guilingji capsules (GLJC) have been shown to have antiaging effects and improve cognitive function. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of GLJC for the treatment of vascular mild cognitive impairment (VaMCI). A total of 96 patients with VaMCI (aged 60–85 years) were enrolled in this 24-week, randomized, double-blind, controlled clinical trial. The patients were randomly assigned to a GLJC group (n = 48) or a Ginkgo group (n = 48). Patients in the GLJC group were treated using GLJC, whereas those in the Ginkgo group received Ginkgo extract tablets. We evaluated the participants at baseline and after a 12- and 24-week treatment period using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale-Cognitive Subscale (ADAS-Cog), and Chinese Medicine Symptom Scale (CM-SS). The serum acetylcholine (Ach), acetylcholinesterase (AchE), homocysteine (Hcy), and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) serum levels of the patients were measured before and after 24-week treatment. Analysis of the results of both groups showed that both interventions significantly increased the MoCA and MMSE scores of the patients and decreased their ADAS-Cog and CM-SS scores (P < 0.05). The GLJC group showed greater improvement in MoCA, MMSE, and CM-SS scores than the Ginkgo group (P < 0.05). However, both groups showed a significant increase in serum Ach and a decrease in serum AchE, Hcy, and hs-CRP levels (P < 0.05). Furthermore, serum Ach increased and Hcy decreased more significantly in the GLJC group than in the Ginkgo group (P < 0.05). These findings indicate that GLJC can improve the cognitive function, cholinergic system, and inflammatory cytokine levels of patients with VaMCI. Furthermore, this treatment can improve symptoms of syndromes diagnosed according to traditional Chinese medicine practice in patients with VaMCI.

Guilingji Protects Against Spermatogenesis Dysfunction From Oxidative Stress via Regulation of MAPK and Apoptotic Signaling Pathways in Immp2l Mutant Mice

Male infertility is a major health issue with an estimated prevalence of 4.2% of male infertility worldwide. Oxidative stress (OS) is one of the main causes of male infertility, which is characterized by excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) or lack of antioxidants. Meanwhile, it is reported that oxidative stress plays an important role in the spermatogenic impairment in Inner mitochondrial membrane peptidase 2-like (Immp2l) mutant mice. In this study, we focused on the potential mechanism of Guilingji in protecting the spermatogenic functions in Immp2l mutant mice. The results revealed that Immp2l mutant mice exhibit impaired spermatogenesis and histology shows seminiferous tubules with reduced spermatogenic cells. After administration of Guilingji [150 mg/kg per day intragastric gavage], however, alleviated spermatogenesis impairment and reversed testis histopathological damage and reduced apoptosis. What’s more, western blotting and the levels of redox classic markers revealed that Guilingji can markedly reduce reactive oxygen species. Moreover, Guilingji treatment led to inhibition of the phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), regulated apoptosis in the cells. In summary, Guilingji can improve spermatogenesis in Immp2l mutant mice by regulating oxidation-antioxidant balance and MAPK pathway. Our data suggests that Guilingji may be a promising and effective antioxidant candidate for the treatment of male infertility.

Astilbin ameliorates oxidative stress and apoptosis in D-galactose-induced senescence by regulating the PI3K/Akt/m-TOR signaling pathway in the brains of mice

An increasing amount of evidence has shown that injection of D-galactose (D-gal) can mimic natural aging that typically is associated with brain injury. Oxidative stress and apoptosis has been shown to play an essential role in aging process. The purpose of this study was to investigate the protective effectsof astilbin (ASB) on D-Gal-induced agingin miceand to further explore the underlying mechanisms. We randomly divided 50 mice into 5 groups.To establish this model of aging, 40micewere intraperitoneally administered D-Gal (500 mg/kg). The mice in the treatmentgroupswere intragastricaly administratedASB at doses of 40 and 80 mg/kg. H&E and TUNEL staining were used to determine the effect of ASB on the number of apoptotic cells in the brain. Furthermore, biochemical indices of serum, oxidative stress factors, and apoptosis factors were determined to clarify the underlying mechanism using reagent test kits and western blotting. The results showed that varying doses of ASB could improve D-Gal-induced histopathological damageand significantly alleviatedthe aging induced by D-Galin mice. ASB remarkably decreased the activities of malondialdehyde (MDA)(p < 0.01)and Acetyl cholinesterase (AChE)(p < 0.05) and markedlyincreased the content of catalase (CAT)(p < 0.01)and superoxide dismutase (SOD)(p < 0.01), respectively. In addition, Western blotting revealed thatASB treatment (40 mg/kg)attenuated the D-gal-induced Bax and Caspase 3 protein expression(p < 0.01) and reversed the increase in Bcl-2protein expressionin brain. Moreover, ASB treatment significantly upregulated the protein expression ofp-PI3K/PI3K and altered the p-Akt/Akt ratio (p < 0.05), while inhibiting the expression of p-m-TOR relative to m-TOR(p < 0.05). Moreover, the expression of P53 tended to decreasein the low ASB treatmentgroup (40 mg/kg), whereas no change was observed in the high ASB treatmentgroup (80 mg/kg). In the intestinal flora, the richness of the normal group and the ASB group was higher than that of the D-Gal group. Heat map analysis also showed that ASB promoted Lactobacillus and other probiotics and also confirmed the advantages of ASB. The observed changes in intestinal flora further verified the efficacy of ASB.

Characterization of multiple chemical components of GuiLingJi by UHPLC-MS and 1H NMR analysis

GuiLingJi (GLJ), a classic traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formula, is composed of over 20 herbs, according to the Pharmacopeia of the People's Republic of China. Owing to its various activities, GLJ has been used in clinical settings for more than 400 years in China. However, the ambiguous chemical material basis limits the development of studies on the quality control and pharmacological mechanisms of GLJ. Therefore, comprehensive characterization of the multiple chemical components of GLJ is of great significance for the modernization of this formula. Given the great variety of herbs in GLJ, both UHPLC-MS and ¹H NMR techniques were employed in this study. In addition, solvent extraction with different polarities was used to eliminate signal interference and the concentration of trace components. A variety of MS analytic methods were also used, including implementation of a self-built compound database, diagnostic ion filtering, mass defect filtering, and Compound Discoverer 3.0 analysis software. Based on the above strategies, a total of 150 compounds were identified, including 5 amino acids, 13 phenolic acids and glycosides, 11 coumarins, 72 flavones, 20 triterpenoid and triterpenoid saponins, 23 fatty acids, and 6 other compounds. Moreover, 13 compounds were identified by ¹H NMR spectroscopy. The UHPLC-MS and ¹H NMR results supported and complemented each other. This strategy provides a rapid approach to analyzing and identifying the chemical composition of Chinese herbal prescriptions. The current study provides basis for further research on the quality control and pharmacological mechanism of GLJ.

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The integrated approach of UHPLC-MS and ¹H NMR techniques coupled with polarity partition strategy has been used for comprehensively characterizing the multiple chemical components of GLJ.

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A variety of HRMS analytic methods used included self-built compounds database, diagnostic ions filtering, mass defect filtering, and software analysis for rapid identification the chemical components of GLJ.

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The 163 compounds including flavones, phenolic acids and glycosides, triterpenoid and triterpenoid saponins, coumarin, fatty acids, amino acids, organic acids, organic bases and sugars were rapidly identified, and to clarify the chemical material basis of GLJ.

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Established an analysis strategy which could be applied to other TCM formula for comprehensive characterization and identification of chemical components.

Integrated adrenal and testicular metabolomics revealed the protective effects of Guilingji on the Kidney-Yang deficiency syndrome rats

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Guilingji (GLJ) is a well-known traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) prescription for the treatment of Kidney-Yang deficiency syndrome (KYDS).

AIM OF THE STUDY

This study aimed to address the protective effects of GLJ against KYDS in rats with pharmacodynamic indicators and target tissues (adrenal gland and testis) metabolomics.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The rats were injected intraperitoneally (i.p) hydrocortisone to simulate KYDS and administered orally of GLJ for 30 days. Traditional pharmacodynamic indicators (body weight, behavioral indicators, biochemical parameters and histological examination) were performed to evaluate the efficacy of GLJ. Furthermore, adrenal gland and testis metabolic profiles obtained by UHPLC-Q Exactive Orbitrap-MS coupled with multivariate analysis were conducted to explore the metabolic regulation mechanism of GLJ.

RESULTS

After administration of GLJ, the weight, levels of behavioral indicators and biochemical parameters of rats were increased compared with those of the model group, and the abnormalities of morphology in adrenal and testicular tissues were improved. Furthermore, GLJ had recovering effects via the adjustment of vitamins metabolism, which was accompanied by lipids metabolism, amino acid metabolism and nucleotides metabolism.

CONCLUSIONS

The study firstly integrated the target tissues metabolic profiles, which were complementary, and GLJ had protective effects on KYDS rats via the regulation of steroid hormone biosynthesis, oxidant-antioxidant balance and energy acquisition.