Effects of yukmi, an herbal formula, on the liver of senescence accelerated mice (SAM) exposed to oxidative stress

Insights into the Molecular Mechanisms of Liuwei Dihuang Decoction via Network Pharmacology

The traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs) have been used to treat diseases over a long history, but it is still a great challenge to uncover the underlying mechanisms for their therapeutic effects due to the complexity of their ingredients. Based on a novel network pharmacology-based approach, we explored in this study the potential therapeutic targets of Liuwei Dihuang (LWDH) decoction in its neuroendocrine immunomodulation (NIM) function. We not only collected the known targets of the compounds in LWDH but also predicted the targets for these compounds using the balanced substructure-drug-target network-based inference (bSDTNBI), which is a target prediction method based on network inferring developed by our laboratory. A "target-(pathway)-target" (TPT) network, in which targets of LWDH were connected by relevant pathways, was constructed and divided into several separate modules with strong internal connections. Then the target module that contributes the most to NIM function was determined through a contribution scoring algorithm. Finally, the targets with the highest contribution score to NIM-related diseases in this target module were recommended as potential therapeutic targets of LWDH.

Protective Effects of Traditional Polyherbs on Cisplatin-Induced Acute Kidney Injury Cell Model by Inhibiting Oxidative Stress and MAPK Signaling Pathway

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a disease caused by sudden renal dysfunction, which is an important risk factor for chronic renal failure. However, there is no effective treatment for renal impairment. Although some traditional polyherbs are commercially available for renal diseases, their effectiveness has not been reported. Therefore, we examined the nephroprotective effects of polyherbs and their relevant mechanisms in a cisplatin-induced cell injury model. Rat NRK-52E and human HK-2 subjected to cisplatin-induced AKI were treated with four polyherbs, Injinhotang (IJ), Ucha-Shinki-Hwan (US), Yukmijihwang-tang (YJ), and Urofen^TM (Uro) similar with Yondansagan-tang, for three days. All polyherbs showed strong free radical scavenging activities, and the treatments prevented cisplatin-induced cell death in both models, especially at 1.2 mg/mL. The protective effects involved antioxidant effects by reducing reactive oxygen species and increasing the activities of superoxide dismutase and catalase. The polyherbs also reduced the number of annexin V-positive apoptotic cells and the expression of cleaved caspase-3, along with inhibited expression of mitogen-activated protein kinase-related proteins. These findings provide evidence for promoting the development of herbal formulas as an alternative therapy for treating AKI.

Modified yukmijihwangtang suppresses the production of proinflammatory cytokines in the intravesical hydrochloric acid-induced cystitis rat model via the NF-κB pathway

Yukmijihwangtang (YM), a boiled extract of medicinal plants, has been prescribed for patients with kidney dysfunction in Korea; however, the mechanism underlying its therapeutic effects has not been fully elucidated. This study was conducted to evaluate the beneficial effects on bladder function by using modified YM (M-YM), which included Ulmi radicis cortex in addition to the six traditional medicinal plants in YM. Bladder irritation of the rats was caused by intravesical instillation of HCl. The animals were divided into six groups: sham group, cystitis-injury group with no treatment, cystitis-injury group with prednisolone treatment (5 mg/kg), and cystitis-injury with M-YM treatment (100, 200 or 500 mg/kg groups). Whole bladders were collected at day eight after injury. Samples were analyzed by histological and immunological examinations. An in vitro study was performed to determine whether M-YM extracts inhibit lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced nitric oxide (NO) production and IκB phosphorylation in a human uroepithelial cell line of T24 cells. Administration of M-YM notably improved bladder histological changes, and suppressed IL-6/TNF α production and IκB phosphorylation in a rat model of chronic cystitis. M-YM also inhibited LPS-induced NO production and IκB phosphorylation in T24 cells. This study suggests that administration of M-YM might be an applicable therapeutic traditional medicine for the treatment of interstitial cystitis.

Yukmijihwang-tang inhibits receptor activator for nuclear Factor-κB ligand-induced osteoclast differentiation

Yukmijihwang-tang (YMT) is a traditional herbal medicine known to enhance memory in brain injury models. The aims of this study were to evaluate the inhibitory effect of YMT on osteoclast differentiation and to determine its molecular mechanism of action. YMT dose-dependently inhibited receptor activator for nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) ligand (RANKL)-induced tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) activity and the formation of multinucleated osteoclasts in RAW264.7 cells. In addition, quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction showed that YMT significantly decreased RANKL-induced expression of osteoclast differentiation-specific genes (TRAP, matrix metalloproteinase-9, cathepsin K, and the d2 isoform of vacuolar ATPase V(0) domain). Furthermore, YMT inhibited RANKL-induced phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (extracellular signal-regulated kinase, c-Jun N-terminal kinase, and p38), phosphorylation of I-κBα, phosphorylation of NF-κB p65, and the expression of transcription factors Fra-2 and nuclear factor of activated T-cells, cytoplasmic 1. Furthermore, YMT inhibited the bone-resorptive activity of differentiated osteoclasts, suggesting that YMT inhibits osteoclast differentiation by suppressing RANKL-induced signaling molecules and transcription factors that affect the regulation of genes for osteoclast differentiation. As such, YMT may have therapeutic potential in bone diseases.

Mechanism underlying mitochondrial protection of asiatic acid against hepatotoxicity in mice

Asiatic acid (AA) is one of the triterpenoid components of Terminalia catappa L., which has antioxidative, anti-inflammatory and hepatoprotective activity. This research focused on the mitochondrial protection of AA against acute liver injury induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and D-galactosamine (D-GalN) in mice. It was found that pretreatment with 25, 50 or 100 mg kg(-1) AA significantly blocked the LPS + D-GalN-induced increase in both serum aspartate aminotransferase (sAST) and serum alanine aminotransferase (sALT) levels, which was confirmed by ultrastructural observation under an electron microscope, showing improved nuclear condensation, ameliorated mitochondrion proliferation and less lipid deposition. Meanwhile, different doses of AA could decrease both the transcription and the translation level of voltage-dependent anion channels (VDACs), the most important mitochondrial PTP component protein, and block the translocation of cytochrome c from mitochondria to cytosol. On the other hand, pre-incubation with 25, 50 and 100 microg mL(-1) AA inhibited the Ca(2+)-induced mitochondrial permeability transition (MPT), including mitochondrial swelling, membrane potential dissipation and releasing of matrix Ca(2+) in liver mitochondria separated from normal mice, indicating the direct role of AA on mitochondria. Collectively, the above data suggest that AA could protect liver from damage and the mechanism might be related to up-regulating mitochondrial VDACs and inhibiting the process of MPT.

Yukmijihwang-tang ameliorates ischemia/reperfusion-induced renal injury in rats

The present study was designed to examine whether Yukmijihwang-tang (YJT), which is a Korean decoction for the treatment of renal disease, has an effect on renal functional parameters in association with the expression of aquaporin 2 (AQP 2), Na,K-ATPase, heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) in rats with ischemia/reperfusion-induced acute renal failure (ARF). Polyuria caused by down-regulation of renal AQP 2 in the ischemia/reperfusion-induced ARF rats was markedly restored by administration of YJT (100 or 200 mg/kg, p.o.) with restoring expression of AQP 2 in the kidney. The expressions of Na,K-ATPase alpha1 and beta1 subunits in the renal medulla and cortex of the ARF rats were also restored in them by the administration of YJT. Administration of YJT lowered the expression of renal HO-1, which was up-regulated in rats with ischemia/reperfusion-induced ARF. The renal functional parameters including creatinine clearance, urinary sodium excretion, urinary osmolality, and solute-free reabsorption were also markedly restored in ischemia-ARF rats by administration of YJT. Histological study also showed that renal damages in the ARF rats were abrogated by administration of YJT. Taken together, these data indicate that YJT ameliorates renal defects in rats with ischemia/reperfusion-induced ARF.

Hepatoprotection of oleanolic acid is related to its inhibition on mitochondrial permeability transition

The protective effects of oleanolic acid (OA) on carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced liver mitochondrial damage and the possible mechanisms were investigated. Pretreatment with OA prior to the administration of CCl4 significantly suppressed the increases of serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (4.2- and 19.9-fold, respectively) in a dose-dependent manner in mice. The dissipation of mitochondrial membrane potential (14.8%) and intra-mitochondrial Ca2+ overload (2.1-fold) in livers of CCl4-insulted mice were also dose-dependently prevented by pretreatment with 20, 50 or 100 mg/kg OA. In addition, the effects of OA on liver mitochondria permeability transition (MPT) induced by Ca2+ were assessed by measuring the change in mitochondrial membrane potential, release of matrix Ca2+ and mitochondrial swelling in vitro. The results showed that preincubation with 50 or 100 microg/ml OA obviously inhibited the Ca2+-induced mitochondrial swelling, mitochondrial membrane depolarization and intra-mitochondrial Ca2+ release. It could be concluded that OA has protective effects on liver mitochondria and the mechanisms underlying its protection may be related to its inhibitory action on MPT.

Polygonum multiflorum extracts improve cognitive performance in senescence accelerated mice

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of Polygonum multflorum (PM) Thunb. on the learning and memory ability in one and seven-month-old male senescence accelerated mice (SAMP8). The mice were fed with two different diets for 18 weeks; they were casein dietary group (control group) and casein diet supplemented with PM extracts. Active shuttle avoidance test was performed to determine the learning and memory ability of the mice while the spongy degeneration and the lipofuscin, malondialdehyde, and total thiol levels of the brain were measured to evaluate the extent of the brain degeneration and oxidative status. Results of active shuttle avoidance test showed the mice fed with the PM extracts had significantly better learning and memory ability than the control group. The spongy degeneration and the lipofuscin and malondialdehyde concentrations of the mice in the PM groups were significantly lower than the control in both age groups, whereas the total thiol levels were higher but not significantly different. It was concluded that the supplement of the PM extracts could improve the learning and memory ability and reduce the brain pathological changes in mice. This might be due to the antioxidant phytochemicals of the PM extracts.

What's in a name? A systematic review of the nomenclature of Chinese medical formulae

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has been modified to some extent in other Far Eastern countries such as Korea and Japan. Researchers of each of the three countries seem to use different English names for the same Chinese medicinal formulae. Lack of knowledge of the Chinese characters is destined to increase this confusion. In order to investigate this matter systematically, all investigations of Chinese medicine formulae published in the American Journal of Chinese Medicine (AJCM, 1997-March 2001) were evaluated. Moreover, PubMed (1966-June 2001) was searched using keywords differentiated by language, location and number of hyphens, and upper-or lower-case of the first letter of the English equivalent of each Chinese character. Fifty-four formulae of TCM were identified in 45 reports published in AJCM. Thirty-two were named in Chinese only (23 reports); six in Japanese (six reports); and five in Korean (five reports). Ten formulae were named in Japanese with the Chinese name in brackets (ten reports); and one in Chinese with the Japanese name in brackets (one report). By computerized literature search, different numbers of research papers were retrieved by using keywords differentiated by language, location and number of hyphens. Such confusion may prevent progress in the evaluation of TCM. To increase the efficiency of studies on Chinese medical formulae, standardization of terminology is required.