Multiomics Profiling Reveals Protective Function of Schisandra Lignans against Acetaminophen-Induced Hepatotoxicity

The regulation of GSH/GPX4-mediated lipid accumulation confirms that schisandra polysaccharides should be valued equally as lignans

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Acetaminophen (APAP) induced liver injury (AILI) is a common cause of clinical hepatic damage and even acute liver failure. Our previous research has shown that Schisandra chinensis lignan extract (SLE) can exert a hepatoprotective effect by regulating lipid metabolism. Although polysaccharides from Schisandra chinensis (S. chinensis), like lignans, are important components of S. chinensis, their pharmacological activity and target effects on AILI have not yet been explored.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This study aims to quantitatively reveal the role of SCP in the pharmacological activity of S. chinensis, and further explore the pharmacological components, potential action targets and mechanisms of S. chinensis in treating AILI.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The therapeutic effect of SCP on AILI was systematically determined via comparing the efficacy of SCP and SLE on in vitro and in vivo models. Network pharmacology, molecular docking and multi-omics techniques were then used to screen and verify the action targets of S. chinensis against AILI.

RESULTS

SCP intervention could significantly improve AILI, and the therapeutic effect was comparable to that of SLE. Notably, the combination of SCP and SLE did not produce mutual antagonistic effects. Subsequently, we found that both SCP and SLE could significantly reverse the down-regulation of GPX4 caused by the APAP modeling, and then further improving lipid metabolism abnormalities.

CONCLUSIONS

Hepatoprotective effects of SCP and SLE is most correlated with their regulation of GSH/GPX4-mediated lipid accumulation. This is the first exploration of the hepatoprotective effect and potential mechanism of SCP in treating AILI, which is crucial for fully utilizing S. chinensis and developing promising AILI therapeutic agents.

PROTAC technology: From drug development to probe technology for target deconvolution

Drug development remains a critical focus within the global pharmaceutical industry. To date, more than 80 % of disease targets are considered difficult to target. The emergence of PROTAC technology has, to some extent, alleviated this challenge. Since introduction, PROTAC technology has evolved through the peptide E3 ligase ligand phase and the small molecule E3 ligase ligand phase. Currently, multiple PROTAC molecules are in the clinical research phase, showing promising potential for addressing drug resistance, disease recurrence, and intractable targets. Target deconvolution is a crucial step in the drug discovery and development process. Due to the exceptional targeting ability and specificity of PROTAC, it is widely used and promoted as an innovative technology for discovering new drug targets, leading to significant breakthroughs. The use of PROTAC probe requires only a catalytic dose and weak interaction with the target protein to achieve target degradation. Thus, it offers substantial advantages over traditional probes, particularly in identifying new targets that are low-abundance or difficult to target. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the advancements made by PROTAC technology in drug development and drug target discovery, while also systematically reviewing the workflow of PROTAC probe. With the ongoing development of PROTAC technology, PROTAC probe is poised to become a key research area in future drug target deconvolution.

Compound Shouwu Jiangzhi Granule regulates triacylglyceride synthesis to alleviate hepatic lipid accumulation

BACKGROUND

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a common chronic liver disease with few therapeutic options currently available. Traditional Chinese medicine has been used for thousands of years and exhibited remarkable advantages against such complicated disease for its "multi-component, multi-target and multi-pathway" characteristics. Compound Shouwu Jiangzhi Granule (CSJG) is a clinical empirical prescription for the treatment of NAFLD, but its pharmacological mechanism remains unknown.

METHODS

The clinical efficacy of CSJG was retrospectively analyzed in NAFLD patients by comparing blood biomarkers levels and liver MR images before and after CSJG treatment. Then, high-fat/high-fructose (HFHF) diet-induced NAFLD mice were used to further confirm CSJG's effect against hepatic lipid accumulation through hepatic lipid determination and histopathological staining of liver samples. Next, the ingredients of CSJG were determined, and network pharmacology analysis was performed to predict potential targets of CSJG, followed by quantitative PCR (qPCR) and western blotting for verification. Then, lipidomics study was carried out to further explore the anti-NAFLD mechanism of CSJG from the perspective of triacylglyceride (TAG) synthesis but not free fatty acid (FFA) synthesis. The enzymes involved in this process were assayed by qPCR and western blotting. The potential interactions between the key enzymes of TAG synthesis and the active ingredients of CSJG were analyzed by molecular docking.

RESULTS

CSJG attenuated blood lipid levels and hepatic fat accumulation in both NAFLD patients and mice. Although network pharmacology analysis revealed the FFA synthesis pathway, CSJG only slightly affected it. Through lipidomics analysis, GSJG was found to significantly block the synthesis of diglycerides (DAGs) and TAGs in the liver, with decreased DGAT2 and increased PLD1 protein expression, which diverted DAGs from the synthesis of TAGs to the production of PEs, PCs and PAs and thus lowed TAGs level. Molecular docking suggested that rhein, luteolin and liquiritigenin from CSJG might be involved in this regulation.

CONCLUSION

Clinical and experimental evidence demonstrated that CSJG is a promising agent for the treatment of NAFLD. CSJG regulated TAGs synthesis to alleviate hepatic lipid accumulation. Rhein, luteolin and liquiritigenin from CSJG might play a role in it.

Natural Products for Acetaminophen-Induced Acute Liver Injury: A Review

The liver plays a vital role in metabolism, synthesis, and detoxification, but it is susceptible to damage from various factors such as viral infections, drug reactions, excessive alcohol consumption, and autoimmune diseases. This susceptibility is particularly problematic for patients requiring medication, as drug-induced liver injury often leads to underestimation, misdiagnosis, and difficulties in treatment. Acetaminophen (APAP) is a widely used and safe drug in therapeutic doses but can cause liver toxicity when taken in excessive amounts. This study aimed to investigate the hepatotoxicity of APAP and explore potential treatment strategies using a mouse model of APAP-induced liver injury. The study involved the evaluation of various natural products for their therapeutic potential. The findings revealed that natural products demonstrated promising hepatoprotective effects, potentially alleviating liver damage and improving liver function through various mechanisms such as oxidative stress and inflammation, which cause changes in signaling pathways. These results underscore the importance of exploring novel treatment options for drug-induced liver injury, suggesting that further research in this area could lead to the development of effective preventive and therapeutic interventions, ultimately benefiting patients with liver injury caused by medicine.

Schisandra lignans ameliorate nonalcoholic steatohepatitis by regulating aberrant metabolism of phosphatidylethanolamines

Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is a spectrum of chronic liver disease characterized by hepatic lipid metabolism disorder. Recent reports emphasized the contribution of triglyceride and diglyceride accumulation to NASH, while the other lipids associated with the NASH pathogenesis remained unexplored. The specific purpose of our study was to explore a novel pathogenesis and treatment strategy of NASH via profiling the metabolic characteristics of lipids. Herein, multi-omics techniques based on LC-Q-TOF/MS, LC-MS/MS and MS imaging were developed and used to screen the action targets related to NASH progress and treatment. A methionine and choline deficient (MCD) diet-induced mouse model of NASH was then constructed, and Schisandra lignans extract (SLE) was applied to alleviate hepatic damage by regulating the lipid metabolism-related enzymes CES2A and CYP4A14. Hepatic lipidomics indicated that MCD-diet led to aberrant accumulation of phosphatidylethanolamines (PEs), and SLE could significantly reduce the accumulation of intrahepatic PEs. Notably, exogenous PE (18:0/18:1) was proved to significantly aggravate the mitochondrial damage and hepatocyte apoptosis. Supplementing PE (18:0/18:1) also deteriorated the NASH progress by up regulating intrahepatic proinflammatory and fibrotic factors, while PE synthase inhibitor exerted a prominent hepatoprotective role. The current work provides new insights into the relationship between PE metabolism and the pathogenesis of NASH.

Insights into Q-markers and molecular mechanism of Sanguisorba saponins in treating ulcerative colitis based on lipid metabolism regulation

BACKGROUND

Sanguisorba saponin extract (SSE) is the main active part of Sanguisorba officinalis with various pharmacological activities such as anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial and anti-oxidant. However, its therapeutic role and underlying mechanisms for ulcerative colitis (UC) still need to be elucidated.

PURPOSE

This study aims to explore the therapeutic effect, effectiveness-material basis-quality markers (Q-markers) and prospective mechanism of function of SSE on UC.

METHODS

Fresh 2.5% dextran sulfate sodium salt (DSS) solution was placed in drinking bottles for 7 days to induce a mouse model of UC. SSE and sulfasalazine (SASP) were supplemented to mice by gavage for consecutive 7 days to investigate the therapeutic role of SSE on UC. Mouse monocyte macrophages (RAW264.7) and human normal colonic epithelial (NCM460) cells were treated with LPS to induce inflammatory responses, followed by pharmacodynamic examination with different concentrations of SSE. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) and Alcian blue staining were conducted to evaluate the pathological damage of mice colon. Lipidomic technology was conducted to explore the differential lipids closely related to the disease process of UC. Quantitative PCR analysis, immunohistochemistry and ELISA kit were used to measure the expression levels of the corresponding proteins and pro-inflammatory factors.

RESULTS

SSE treatment could effectively reduce the elevated expressions of pro-inflammatory factors in RAW264.7 and NCM460 cells due to LPS stimulation. Intragastric administration of SSE was found to significantly alleviate the symptoms of DSS-induced colon injury and low-polar saponins in SSE. Low polarity saponins, especially ZYS-II, were proved to be the main active substances of SSE in treating UC. In addition, SSE could significantly ameliorate the aberrant lipid metabolism in UC mice. The role of phosphatidylcholine (PC)34:1 in the UC pathogenesis has been fully verified in our previous studies. Herein, SSE-dosing effectively reversed the metabolic disorder of PCs in UC mice, and increased the PC34:1 level to normal via up-regulating the expression of phosphocholine cytidylyltransferase (PCYT1α).

CONCLUSION

Our data innovatively revealed that SSE could significantly alleviate the symptoms of UC by reversing the disorder of PC metabolism induced by DSS modeling. SSE was proved for the first time to be a promising and effective candidate for UC treatment.

Improved pharmacokinetics of tenofovir ester prodrugs strengthened the inhibition of HBV replication and the rebalance of hepatocellular metabolism in preclinical models

Tenofovir (TFV) ester prodrugs, a class of nucleotide analogs (NAs), are the first-line clinical anti-hepatitis B virus (HBV) drugs with potent antiviral efficacy, low resistance rate and high safety. In this work, three marketed TFV ester drugs, tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF), tenofovir alafenamide fumarate (TAF) and tenofovir amibufenamide fumarate (TMF), were used as probes to investigate the relationships among prodrug structures, pharmacokinetic characteristics, metabolic activations, pharmacological responses and to reveal the key factors of TFV ester prodrug design. The results indicated that TMF and TAF exhibited significantly stronger inhibition of HBV DNA replication than did TDF in HBV-positive HepG2.2.15 cells. The anti-HBV activity of TMF was slightly stronger than TAF after 9 days of treatment (EC₅₀ 7.29 ± 0.71 nM vs. 12.17 ± 0.56 nM). Similar results were observed in the HBV decline period post drug administration to the HBV transgenic mouse model, although these three TFV prodrugs finally achieved the same anti-HBV effect after 42 days treatments. Furthermore, TFV ester prodrugs showed a correcting effect on disordered host hepatic biochemical metabolism, including TCA cycle, glycolysis, pentose phosphate pathway, purine/pyrimidine metabolism, amino acid metabolism, ketone body metabolism and phospholipid metabolism. The callback effects of the three TFV ester prodrugs were ranked as TMF > TAF > TDF. These advantages of TMF were believed to be attributed to its greater bioavailability in preclinical animals (SD rats, C57BL/6 mice and beagle dogs) and better target loading, especially in terms of the higher hepatic level of the pharmacologically active metabolite TFV-DP, which was tightly related to anti-HBV efficacy. Further analysis indicated that stability in intestinal fluid determined the actual amount of TFV prodrug at the absorption site, and hepatic/intestinal stability determined the maintenance amount of prodrug in circulation, both of which influenced the oral bioavailability of TFV prodrugs. In conclusion, our research revealed that improved pharmacokinetics of TFV ester prodrugs (especially intestinal stability) strengthened the inhibition of HBV replication and the rebalance of hepatocellular metabolism, which provides new insights and a basis for the design, modification and evaluation of new TFV prodrugs in the future.

Exogenous glutathione exerts a therapeutic effect in ischemic stroke rats by interacting with intrastriatal dopamine

We previously showed that oral administration of exogenous glutathione (GSH) exerted a direct and/or indirect therapeutic effect on ischemic stroke rats, but the underlying mechanisms remain elusive. In the current study, we conducted a quantitative proteomic analysis to explore the pathways mediating the therapeutic effect of GSH in cerebral ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) model rats. Rats were subjected to middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) for 2 h followed by reperfusion. The rats were treated with GSH (250 mg/kg, ig) or levodopa (L-dopa, 100 mg/kg, ig) plus carbidopa (10 mg/kg, ig). Neurologic deficits were assessed, and the rats were sacrificed at 24 h after cerebral I/R surgery to measure brain infarct sizes. We conducted a proteomic analysis of the lesion side striatum samples and found that tyrosine metabolism and dopaminergic synapse were involved in the occurrence of cerebral stroke and the therapeutic effect of GSH. Western blot assay revealed that tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) mediated the occurrence of I/R-induced ischemic stroke and the therapeutic effect of GSH. We analyzed the regulation of GSH on endogenous small molecule metabolites and showed that exogenous GSH had the most significant effect on intrastriatal dopamine (DA) in I/R model rats by promoting its synthesis and inhibiting its degradation. To further explore whether DA-related alterations were potential targets of GSH, we investigated the therapeutic effect of DA accumulation on ischemic brain injury. The combined administration of the precursor drugs of DA (L-dopa and carbidopa) significantly ameliorated neurological deficits, reduced infarct size, and oxidative stress, and decreased pro-inflammatory cytokines levels in the striatum of I/R injury rats. More interestingly, exogenous L-dopa/carbidopa could also greatly enhance the exposure of intracerebral GSH by upregulating GSH synthetases and enhancing homocysteine (HCY) levels in the striatum. Thus, administration of exogenous GSH exerts a therapeutic effect on ischemic stroke by increasing intrastriatal DA, and the accumulated DA can, in turn, enhance the exposure of GSH and its related substances, thus promoting the therapeutic effect of GSH.

Mechanism of drug-induced liver injury and hepatoprotective effects of natural drugs

Drug-induced liver injury (DILI) is a common adverse drug reaction (ADR) and a serious threat to health that affects disease treatments. At present, no targeted clinical drugs are available for DILI. Traditional natural medicines have been widely used as health products. Some natural medicines exert specific hepatoprotective effects, with few side effects and significant clinical efficacy. Thus, natural medicines may be a promising direction for DILI treatment. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge, common drugs and mechanisms of DILI, as well as the clinical trials of natural drugs and their bioactive components in anticipation of the future development of potential hepatoprotective drugs.

Study on the Hepatoprotection of Schisandra chinensis Caulis Polysaccharides in Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Rats Based on Metabolomics

The aim of this study was to investigate the hepatoprotection of Schisandra chinensis Caulis polysaccharides (SCPs) in the nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) induced by high-fat diet (HFD) in rats. A total of 30 Wistar rats were randomly divided into the control group (CON), model group (MOD), and Schisandra chinensis caulis polysaccharide (SCP) group. Except for those in the CON group, the other rats were fed with high-fat diet for 4 weeks to establish an NAFLD model. From the 5th week, rats in the SCP group were given SCP solution (100 mg kg^-1) by gavage for 6 weeks, and those in the CON and MOD groups were given an equal volume of distilled water in the same way. Aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels in serum, the malondialdehyde (MDA) level, glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities in the liver tissue were detected. The small molecular metabolites in the blood of rats were determined by the metabolomics method of ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole/electrostatic field orbitrap high-resolution mass spectrometry (UHPLC-Q-Orbitrap-MS/MS) combined with multivariate analysis. The enrichment analysis and pathway analysis of the different metabolites were carried out. The therapeutic mechanism of SCP in NAFLD rats was verified by western blot. The results showed that the levels of AST, ALT, TG, TC, and LDL-C in the serum of rats in the SCP group were significantly lower, and the levels of HDL-C were significantly higher than those in the MOD group. The screening and analysis of the metabolic pathways showed that SCP could alleviate the development of NAFLD by regulating the expression of UDP-glucose pyrophosphorylase (UGP2), UDP-glucose 6-dehydrogenase (UGDH), acetyl CoA carboxylase (ACC), and fatty acid synthase (FAS) in the liver of NAFLD rats. This study may provide a theoretical basis for the development and utilization of SCP.

Application of comprehensive lipidomics to biomarker research on adverse drug reactions

Lipidomics is a relatively new field of omics that focuses on lipids, one of the major categories of metabolites. Owing to their various functions, lipids are considered suitable targets for biomarker development; in addition, lipidomics analysis of adverse drug reactions (ADRs) has been conducted recently. In this review, I have summarized information on comprehensive lipidomics, which involves the analysis of global lipids in a non-targeted manner. Mass spectrometry-based platforms are currently the dominant lipidomics platform owing to their versatile features. I have also summarized the application of lipidomics in biomarker research on ADRs caused by therapeutic drugs in humans and rodents. Additionally, general concerns in and emerging approaches of lipidomics research on ADR have been highlighted. Although biomarkers identified using the lipidomics analysis of ADRs have not been qualified, reported candidates will be evaluated for clinical application. In addition, novel biomarker candidates will be developed via classical and new approaches exemplified in this review.

Natural Products: Experimental Approaches to Elucidate Disposition Mechanisms and Predict Pharmacokinetic Drug Interactions

Natural products have been used by humans since antiquity for both egregious and beneficial purposes. Regarding the latter, these products have long been valued as a rich source of phytochemicals and developed into numerous life-saving pharmaceutical agents. Today, the sales and use of natural products with purported medicinal qualities continue to increase worldwide. However, natural products are not subject to the same premarket testing requirements as pharmaceutical agents, creating critical gaps in scientific knowledge about their optimal use. In addition, due to the common misperception that "natural" means "safe," patients may supplement or replace their prescription medications with natural products, placing themselves at undue risk for subefficacious pharmacotherapy or potentially toxic exposure. Collectively, with few exceptions, researchers, health care providers, and educators lack definitive information about how to inform consumers, patients, and students in the health professions on the safe and optimal use of these products. Recognition of this deficiency by key stakeholders, including the three pillars of biomedical research-industry, academia, and government-has facilitated multiple collaborations that are actively addressing this fundamental knowledge gap. This special issue contains a collection of articles highlighting the challenges faced by researchers in the field and the use of various experimental systems and methods to improve the mechanistic understanding of the disposition and drug interaction potential of natural products. Continued refinement of existing, and development of new, approaches will progress toward the common overarching goal of improving public health. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: Natural products with purported medicinal value constitute an increasing share of the contemporary health care market. Natural products are not subject to the same premarket testing requirements as drug products, creating fundamental scientific knowledge gaps about the safe and effective use of these products. Collaborations among industrial, academic, and governmental researchers in multiple disciplines are anticipated to provide the definitive information needed to fill these gaps and improve public health.