From Traditional Usage to Pharmacological Evidence: A Systematic Mini-Review of Spina Gleditsiae

Gleditsiae Sinensis Fructus ingredients and mechanism in anti-asthmatic bronchitis research

BACKGROUND

Gleditsiae Sinensis Fructus (GSF) is commonly used in traditional medicine to treat respiratory diseases such as bronchial asthma. However, there is a lack of research on the chemical composition of GSF and the pharmacological substance and mechanism of action for GSF in treating bronchial asthma.

PURPOSE

The chemical constituents of GSF were analyzed using ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-Orbitrap high-resolution mass spectrometry (UHPLC-Q-Orbitrap HRMS). In this study, we combined network pharmacology, molecular docking techniques, and experimental validation to explore the therapeutic efficacy and underlying mechanism of GSF in the treatment of bronchial asthma.

METHODS

Characterization of the chemical constituents of GSF was conducted using UHPLC-Q-Orbitrap HRMS. The identified chemical components were subjected to screening for active ingredients in the Swiss Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism, and Excretion (ADME) database. Relevant databases were utilized to retrieve target proteins for the active ingredients and targets associated with bronchial asthma disease, and the common targets between the two were selected. Subsequently, the protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed using the String database and Cytoscape software to identify key targets. Gene Ontology (GO) and the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses were performed using the Metascape database. The "component-common target" network was constructed using Cytoscape to identify the primary active ingredients. Molecular docking validation was conducted using AutoDock software. The bronchial asthma mouse model was established using ovalbumin (OVA), and the lung organ index of the mice was measured. Lung tissue pathological changes were observed using hematoxylin and eosin (HE), Periodic Acid-Schiff (PAS), and Masson staining. The respiratory resistance (Penh) of the mice was assessed using a pulmonary function test instrument. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to determine the levels of IgE, IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13 in the mouse serum. Immunofluorescence staining was performed to detect the protein expression levels of AKT and PI3K in the lung tissues. An in vitro experiment was performed to observe the effects of echinocystic acid (EA) on IL-4 stimulated Human ASMCs (hASMCs). Cell viability was measured using a CCK-8 assay to calculate the IC50 value of the EA. A wound healing test was conducted to observe the effect of EA on degree of healing. RT-qPCR was performed to detect the influence of EA on the mRNA expression levels of ALB, SRC, TNF-α, AKT1, and IL6 in the cells.

RESULTS

A total of 95 chemical constituents were identified from the GSF. Of these, 37 were identified as active ingredients. There were 169 overlapping targets between the active ingredients and the disease targets. A topological analysis of the protein-protein interaction (PPI) network identified the core targets as IL6, TNF, ALB, AKT1, and SRC. An enrichment analysis revealed that the treatment of bronchial asthma with GSF primarily involved the AGE-RAGE signaling pathway and the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, among others. The primary active ingredients included 13(s)-HOTRE, linolenic acid, and acacetin. The molecular docking results demonstrated a favorable binding activity between the critical components of GSF and the core targets. Animal experimental studies indicated that GSF effectively improved symptoms, lung function, and lung tissue pathological changes in the OVA-induced asthmatic mice, while alleviating inflammatory responses. GSF decreased the fluorescent intensity of the AKT and PI3K proteins. The IC50 value of EA was 30.02μg/ml. EA (30) significantly promoted the proliferation of IL4-stimulated hASMCs cells. EA (30) significantly increased the expression of ALB and SRC mRNA and decreased the expressions of TNF-α, AKT, and IL6 mRNA.

CONCLUSION

The multiple active ingredients found in GSF exerted their anti-inflammatory effects through multiple targets and pathways. This preliminary study revealed the core target and the mechanism of action underlying its treatment of bronchial asthma. These findings provided valuable insights for further research on the pharmacological substances and quality control of GSF.

Network pharmacology and bioinformatics to identify the molecular mechanisms of Gleditsiae Spina against colorectal cancer

Objective

In this study, network pharmacology, bioinformatics and molecular docking were used to explore the active phytochemicals, hub genes, and potential molecular mechanisms of Gleditsiae Spina in treating of colorectal cancer..

Methods

The targets of Gleditsiae Spina, and targets related to CRC were derived from databases. We identified the hub genes for Gleditsiae Spina anti-colorectal cancer following the protein-protein-interaction (PPI) network. Furthermore, Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment were used to analyze the hub genes from a macro perspective. Finally, we verified the hub genes by molecular docking, GEPIA, HPA, and starBase database.

Results

We identified nine active phytochemicals and 36 intersection targets. The GO enrichment analysis results showed that Gleditsiae Spina may be involved in gene targets affecting multiple biological processes, including response to radiation, response to ionizing radiation, cyclin-dependent protein kinase holoenzyme complex, serine/threonine protein kinase complex, cyclin-dependent protein serine/threonine kinase regulator activity and protein kinase regulator activity. KEGG enrichment analysis results indicated that the P53 signaling pathway, IL-17 signaling pathway, Toll-like receptor signaling pathway, PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, and JAK-STAT signaling pathway were mainly related to the effect of Gleditsiae Spina on colorectal cancer. Molecular docking analysis suggested that the active phytochemicals of Gleditsiae Spina could combine well with hub genes (PTGS1, PIK3CG, CCND1, CXCL8 and ADRB2).

Conclusion

This study provides clues for further study of anti-CRC phytochemicals as well as their mechanisms of provides a basis for their development model.

Comprehensive profiling of chemical composition of Gleditsiae spina using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry

RATIONALE

Gleditsiae spina (GS) is an important herb used in traditional and folk medicinal systems of East Asian countries for its various medicinal properties. In China, it has been traditionally used through the centuries for its anticancer, detoxication, detumescence, apocenosis, and antiparasitic effects. Although some of its ingredients have been isolated and identified, most active constituents remain unknown. Past research mostly exploited nuclear magnetic resonance for the identification of compounds, which is suitable for monomers only. Moreover, the extraction and isolation procedures for obtaining purified molecules are time consuming. Therefore, establishing an efficient approach will assist in rapid discovery of the potential active ingredients of GS. The present study aimed to identify the chemical constituents in GS by a data analysis strategy using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography combined with quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry.

METHODS

First, the theoretical formula of the candidate compound was calculated using the accurate mass of the precursor/adduct ions. Second, the compounds were classified by the diagnostic ions from the MS/MS data. Third, characteristic ion filtering was used to identify the structures. Finally, the diverse skeletons and substitutions were further identified through the neutral loss in the GS.

RESULTS

A total of 277 compounds were identified in GS, comprising 169 flavonoids, 70 lignans, and 38 other compounds. At least 43 potential new compounds were represented.

CONCLUSIONS

This experiment devised an efficient and systematic method for detecting complex compounds and provided a foundation for future research into bioactive ingredients and quality control of GS.

Simultaneous determination of twenty-nine active compounds in fuzhengjiedu granules by HPLC-QQQ-MS/MS

As an empirical medicine of traditional Chinese medicine, Fuzhengjiedu Granules have shown an effect against COVID-19 in clinical and inflammatory animal models. It is formulated with eight herbs, including Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata, Zingiberis Rhizoma, Glycyrrhizae Radix Et Rhizoma, Lonicerae Japonicae Flos, Gleditsiae Spina, Fici Radix, Pogostemonis Herba, and Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium. This study established a high-performance liquid chromatography-triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (HPLC-QQQ-MS/MS) method by simultaneously determining 29 active compounds in the granules with significant content differences. Separation by gradient elution using acetonitrile and water (0.1% formic acid) as mobile phases was performed on a Waters Acquilty UPLC T3 column (2.1 mm × 100 mm, 1.7 μm). A triple quadrupole mass spectrometer, operating in positive and negative ionization modes, was used for multiple reaction monitoring to detect the 29 compounds. All calibration curves showed good linear regression (r² > 0.998). RSDs of precision, reproducibility, and stability of active compounds were all lower than 5.0%. The recovery rates were 95.4-104.9%, with RSDs< 5.0%. This method was successfully used to analyze the samples, and the results showed that 26 representative active components from 8 herbs were detected in the granules. While aconitine, mesaconitine, and hypaconitine were not detected, indicating that the existing samples were safe. The granules had the maximum and minimum content of hesperidin (27.3 ± 0.375 mg/g) and benzoylaconine (38.2 ± 0.759 ng/g). To conclude, a fast, accurate, sensitive, and reliable HPLC-QQQ-MS/MS method was established, which can simultaneously detect 29 active compounds that have a considerable difference in the content of Fuzhengjiedu Granules. This study can be used to control the quality and safety of Fuzhengjiedu Granules and provide a basis and guarantee for further experimental research and clinical application.

Profiling of Widely Targeted Metabolomics for the Identification of chemical composition in epidermis, xylem and pith of Gleditsiae spina

Gleditsiae spina, the thorn of Gleditsia sinensis Lam., has a long history of being used as a traditional medicine in East Asian countries. However, only a few biologically active substances have been identified from Gleditsiae spina. In this study, the epidermis, xylem and pith of Gleditsiae spina, respectively, namely Gs-E, Gs-X and Gs-P, were studied. We used a widely targeted metabolomics method to investigate the chemical composition in Gs-E, Gs-X and Gs-P. A total of 728 putative metabolites were identified from Gleditsiae spina, including 211 primary metabolites and 517 secondary metabolites. These primary and secondary metabolites could be categorized into more than 10 different classes. Flavonoids, phenolic acids, lipids, and amino acids and derivatives, and organic acids constituted the main metabolite groups. Multivariate statistical analysis showed that the Gs-E, Gs-X and Gs-P samples could be clearly separated. Differential accumulated metabolite (DAM) analysis revealed that more than half of the DAMs exhibited the highest relative concentrations in Gs-E, and most of the DAMs showed the lowest relative concentrations in Gs-X. Moreover, 11 common differential primary metabolites and 79 common differential secondary metabolites were detected in all comparison groups. These results further our understanding of chemical composition and metabolite accumulation of Gleditsiae spina.

GT198 Is a Target of Oncology Drugs and Anticancer Herbs

Tumor angiogenesis is a hallmark of cancer. Therapeutic drug inhibitors targeting angiogenesis are clinically effective. We have previously identified GT198 (gene symbol PSMC3IP, also known as Hop2) as an oncoprotein that induces tumor angiogenesis in human cancers, including oral cancer. In this study, we show that the GT198 protein is a direct drug target of more than a dozen oncology drugs and several clinically successful anticancer herbs. GT198 is a DNA repair protein that binds to DNA. Using an in vitro DNA-binding assay, we tested the approved oncology drug set VII from the National Cancer Institute containing 129 oncology drugs. Identified GT198 inhibitors include but are not limited to mitoxantrone, doxorubicin, paclitaxel, etoposide, dactinomycin, and imatinib. Paclitaxel and etoposide have higher binding affinities, whereas doxorubicin has higher binding efficacy due to competitive inhibition. GT198 shares protein sequence homology with DNA topoisomerases, which are known drug targets, so that GT198 is likely a new drug target previously unrecognized. To seek more powerful GT198 inhibitors, we further tested several anticancer herbal extracts. The positive anticancer herbs with high affinity and high efficacy are all clinically successful ones, including allspice from Jamaica, Gleditsia sinensis or honey locust from China, and BIRM from Ecuador. Partial purification of allspice using an organic chemical approach demonstrated great feasibility of natural product purification, when the activity is monitored by the in vitro DNA-binding assay using GT198 as a target. Together, our study reveals GT198 as a new targeting mechanism for existing oncology drugs. The study also delivers an excellent drug target suitable for compound identification and natural product purification. In particular, this study opens an opportunity to rapidly identify drugs with high efficacy and low toxicity from nature.

Anticancer Effects of Gleditsia sinensis Extract in Rats Transplanted With Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells

The thorns of Gleditsia sinensis have been historically used in Chinese medicine and are considered one of the fundamental therapeutic herbs. Its anticancer effects are currently being explored. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common type of primary liver cancer and still requires the development of new drugs with higher efficiency. By using a rat HCC model implanted with cancerous Walker-256 cells, the therapeutic effects of G. sinensis extract (GSE) were assessed, as well as its regulatory effects on miRNAs. GSE significantly restored liver morphology and dramatically induced cell apoptosis in HCC rats. In addition, miR-21/181b/183 was upregulated in the HCC liver, and the elevation of these miRNAs could be alleviated by both GSE and sorafenib. PTEN/TIMP3/PDCD4 downregulation was consistent with the targets of miR-21/181b/183 in the HCC liver, and the alteration of these target genes was restored by both GSE and sorafenib. TIMP3 effects on MMP-2/9 expression were also determined. Our present findings indicate the potential of GSE in HCC treatment, and expand the understanding of miRNA-related mechanisms in the anticancer effects of GSE.

Yinang formulation versus placebo granules as a treatment for chronic kidney disease stages III-IV in patients with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease: study protocol for a double-blind placebo-controlled randomized clinical trial

BACKGROUND

Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is one of the most common potentially life-threatening inherited kidney diseases. It is the fourth most common cause of end-stage renal disease requiring renal replacement therapy. There are few management options for controlling disease progression. Hence, identification of alternative treatments for patients is important. The Chinese herbal yinang formulation (YNF), which is derived from a Chinese patent medicine, appears to have a satisfactory effect in treating ADPKD. Because a considerable proportion of ADPKD patients presenting with chronic kidney disease (CKD) stages III-IV are diagnosed with the spleen, kidney deficiency, and blood stasis syndrome according to the diagnostic criteria of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), we hypothesize that YNF may be a complementary drug for ADPKD patients with the corresponding syndrome. Therefore, we have designed a strict clinical trial to evaluate the safety and efficacy of YNF for ADPKD patients with CKD stages III-IV exhibiting the TCM syndrome of spleen, kidney deficiency, and blood stasis.

METHODS/DESIGN

This is a multi-center prospective double-blind randomized controlled trial. The total target sample size is planned to be 72 participants, with a balanced treatment allocation (1:1). The experimental intervention will be YNF plus conventional therapy and the control intervention will be a placebo plus conventional therapy for 24 weeks. An additional 24 weeks of follow-up will be conducted after treatment completion. The primary outcome will be the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). Changes in total kidney volume (TKV), serum creatinine (Scr), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), TCM symptoms, and pain will be the secondary outcomes. Adverse events (AEs) will be monitored throughout the trial.

DISCUSSION

This study will be the first placebo-controlled randomized controlled trial to assess whether YNF plus conventional therapy has a beneficial effect on eGFR, TKV, Scr, and BUN, and whether it can alleviate TCM clinical symptoms, reduce ADPKD-related pain, and reduce the frequency of AEs for ADPKD patients with CKD stages III-IV with the spleen, kidney deficiency, and blood stasis syndrome. The results of this trial may provide an evidence-based recommendation for clinicians.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Chinese Clinical Trials Register, ChiCTR-INR-16009914 . Registered on 18 November 2016.

The fruits of Gleditsia sinensis Lam. inhibits adipogenesis through modulation of mitotic clonal expansion and STAT3 activation in 3T3-L1 cells

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Gleditsia sinensis Lam. (G. sinensis) has been used in Oriental medicine for tumor, thrombosis, inflammation-related disease, and obesity.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The pharmacological inhibitory effects of fruits of G. sinensis (GFE) on hyperlipidemia have been reported, but its inhibitory effects on adipogenesis and underlying mechanisms have not been elucidated. Herein we evaluated the anti-adipogenic effects of GFE and described the underlying mechanisms.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The effects of ethanol extracts of GFE on adipocyte differentiation were examined in 3T3-L1 cells using biochemical and molecular analyses.

RESULTS

During the differentiation of 3T3-L1 cells, GFE significantly reduced lipid accumulation and downregulated master adipogenic transcription factors, including CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein-α and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ, at mRNA and protein levels. These changes led to the suppression of several adipogenic-specific genes and proteins, including fatty acid synthase, sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1, stearoyl-CoA desaturase-1, and acetyl CoA carboxylase. However, the inhibitory effects of GFE on lipogenesis were only shown when GFE is treated in the early stage of adipogenesis within the first two days of differentiation. As a potential mechanism, during the early stages of differentiation, GFE inhibited cell proliferation by a decrease in the expression of DNA synthesis-related proteins and increased p27 expression and suppressed signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) activation induced in a differentiation medium.

CONCLUSIONS

GFE inhibits lipogenesis by negative regulation of adipogenic transcription factors, which is associated with GFE-mediated cell cycle arrest and STAT3 inhibition.

Tou Nong San Attenuates Inflammation in TNBS-IBD Model by Inhibiting NF-κB Signaling Pathway

The incidence of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which predominantly comprises Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, is increasing worldwide. However, the treatment of IBD still faces great challenges. The involved NF-κB is the main signaling pathway in human IBD and thus is a prime target. There is abundant evidence that Tou Nong San (TNS), which is a traditional Chinese medicinal decoction used for treating sores and carbuncles, has a positive effect on the inflammation. This study investigated the effects of oral administration of TNS on colitis induced by 2,4,6-trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid (TNBS) and the underlying mechanism(s). Quality control of the major compounds in TNS was performed by high-performance liquid chromatography, and six chemical constituents were identified in aqueous extracts. TNS led to improvements in weight loss and water and food intake in rats. The macroscopic and microscopic scores of rat tissues greatly decreased. Protein and mRNA levels of proinflammatory cytokines, including interleukin-17 (IL-17), tumour necrosis factor-α, IL-1β, and IL6, involved in the NF-κB signaling pathway were greatly reduced. The results suggest that the anti-inflammatory effect of TNS is associated with the regulation of the NF-κB signaling pathway, which contributes to the network pharmacological effect of TNS on human IBD in clinical practice.

Characteristics of traditional Chinese medicine usage in children with precocious puberty: A nationwide population-based study

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Precocious puberty (PP) occurs in children with the early onset of pubertal development leading to physical and psychological problems. Current medical treatment is expensive and has its side effects. However, little is known about the utilization of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) among patients with PP. To characterize the application of TCM among these patients, we conducted a nationwide population-based study.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We used the Taiwanese National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD), to perform a nationwide population-based study. The NHIRD has a derived dataset with the information for a randomly selected half of all insured children from 1997 to 2008 in Taiwan. We identified children <18 years of age with newly diagnosed sexual precocity (ICD-9 CM code: 259.1). The subjects were categorized based on the inclusion of TCM in their treatment plan.

RESULTS

Overall, 3495 newly diagnosed subjects with sexual precocity were included. Among these children, 1.86% (N=65) had used TCM. There were significantly more subjects with no treatment, 87.32% (N=3052), than those with treatment of TCM, western medicine, or both. Most of the TCM users received Chinese herbal remedies (98.25%), and only 1.75% received acupuncture or manipulative therapies. Zhi-Bai-Di-Huang-Wan was the most frequently prescribed TCM formulation (23.73%), while Mai-Ya (Fructus Hordei Germinatus) was the most commonly prescribed single herb (10.87%).

CONCLUSION

Our study identified the characteristics and prescription patterns of TCM for children with PP in Taiwan. Further basic mechanistic studies and clinical trials are needed to confirm the efficacy and mechanism.