Chemomics-Integrated Proteomics Analysis of Jie-Geng-Tang to Ameliorate Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Acute Lung Injury in Mice

Jiegeng decoction ameliorated acute pharyngitis through suppressing NF-κB and MAPK signaling pathways

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Jiegeng decoction (JGD), consisting of Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma and Platycodonis Radix at the ratio of 2:1, is a classical Chinese medicine prescription firstly recorded in "Treatise on Febrile Diseases". JGD has been extensively utilized to treat sore throat and lung diseases for thousands of years in China. However, the pharmacological effect and mechanism of JGD on acute pharyngitis (AP) remain unclear.

AIM OF THE STUDY

Our research aimed to reveal the pharmacological effect of JGD on AP and its potential mechanisms.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The chemical components of JGD were analyzed based on the UPLC-MS analysis. The anti-inflammatory effect of JGD was evaluated by NO production using the Griess assay in RAW 264.7 cells. The mRNA expression of iNOS, IL-1β, IL-10, TNF-α, IL-6 and MCP-1 was determined by qRT-PCR in vitro. A 15% ammonia-induced AP model was established. The histopathology, the inflammatory cytokines IL-6 and MCP-1 in serum and the apoptosis-related genes caspease-8 and caspease-3 were determined by H&E staining, ELISA and qRT-PCR, respectively. The expression levels of p-p65, p65, p-JNK, JNK, p-p38, p38, p-ERK1/2, ERK1/2, and COX2 were measured through western blotting.

RESULTS

Nine compounds, including liquiritin, liquiritin apiosde, liquiritigenin, platycodin D, platycoside A, licorice saponin J2, licorice saponin G2, glycyrrhizic acid, and licochalcone A, were identified. JGD significantly inhibited NO production and regulated the mRNA expression levels of cytokines in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. The results of in vivo experiments confirmed that JGD ameliorated AP through improving the pathological state of pharyngeal tissue, decreasing the serum levels of IL-6 and MCP-1 and preventing the tissue mRNA expression of caspease-8 and caspease-3. Furthermore, JGD also inhibited the NF-κB and MAPK pathways in the AP model.

CONCLUSIONS

This study suggested that JGD could alleviate AP through its anti-inflammation via NF-κB and MAPK pathways, which supported the traditional application of JGD for the treatment of throat diseases.

Fangji Fuling Decoction Alleviates Sepsis by Blocking MAPK14/FOXO3A Signaling Pathway

OBJECTIVE

To examine the therapeutic effect of Fangji Fuling Decoction (FFD) on sepsis through network pharmacological analysis combined with in vitro and in vivo experiments.

METHODS

A sepsis mouse model was constructed through intraperitoneal injection of 20 mg/kg lipopolysaccharide (LPS). RAW264.7 cells were stimulated by 250 ng/mL LPS to establish an in vitro cell model. Network pharmacology analysis identified the key molecular pathway associated with FFD in sepsis. Through ectopic expression and depletion experiments, the effect of FFD on multiple organ damage in septic mice, as well as on cell proliferation and apoptosis in relation to the mitogen-activated protein kinase 14/Forkhead Box O 3A (MAPK14/FOXO3A) signaling pathway, was analyzed.

RESULTS

FFD reduced organ damage and inflammation in LPS-induced septic mice and suppressed LPS-induced macrophage apoptosis and inflammation in vitro (P<0.05). Network pharmacology analysis showed that FFD could regulate the MAPK14/FOXO signaling pathway during sepsis. As confirmed by in vitro cell experiments, FFD inhibited the MAPK14 signaling pathway or FOXO3A expression to relieve LPS-induced macrophage apoptosis and inflammation (P<0.05). Furthermore, FFD inhibited the MAPK14/FOXO3A signaling pathway to inhibit LPS-induced macrophage apoptosis in the lung tissue of septic mice (P<0.05).

CONCLUSION

FFD could ameliorate the LPS-induced inflammatory response in septic mice by inhibiting the MAPK14/FOXO3A signaling pathway.

Semilicoisoflavone B Induces Apoptosis of Oral Cancer Cells by Inducing ROS Production and Downregulating MAPK and Ras/Raf/MEK Signaling

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is the sixth most common type of cancer worldwide. Despite advancement in treatment, advanced-stage OSCC is associated with poor prognosis and high mortality. The present study aimed to investigate the anticancer activities of semilicoisoflavone B (SFB), which is a natural phenolic compound isolated from Glycyrrhiza species. The results revealed that SFB reduces OSCC cell viability by targeting cell cycle and apoptosis. The compound caused cell cycle arrest at the G2/M phase and downregulated the expressions of cell cycle regulators including cyclin A and cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) 2, 6, and 4. Moreover, SFB induced apoptosis by activating poly-ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP) and caspases 3, 8, and 9. It increased the expressions of pro-apoptotic proteins Bax and Bak, reduced the expressions of anti-apoptotic proteins Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL, and increased the expressions of the death receptor pathway protein Fas cell surface death receptor (FAS), Fas-associated death domain protein (FADD), and TNFR1-associated death domain protein (TRADD). SFB was found to mediate oral cancer cell apoptosis by increasing reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. The treatment of the cells with N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) caused a reduction in pro-apoptotic potential of SFB. Regarding upstream signaling, SFB reduced the phosphorylation of AKT, ERK1/2, p38, and JNK1/2 and suppressed the activation of Ras, Raf, and MEK. The human apoptosis array conducted in the study identified that SFB downregulated survivin expression to induce oral cancer cell apoptosis. Taken together, the study identifies SFB as a potent anticancer agent that might be used clinically to manage human OSCC.

Reducing the production of acrylamide during the roasting of balloon flower roots in consumer appliances and industrial equipment

This study aimed to determine what conditions were needed to reduce the production of acrylamide when balloon flower roots [Platycodon grandiflorum (Jacq. A. DC.)] were heated. The conditions of temperature, time, and the type of equipment (i.e., consumer appliance or industrial equipment) were the important variables in the experiment. The official criterion for a recommended standard of acrylamide in tea product is less than 1000 µg/kg as determined by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety in South Korea. A response surface methodology was used to determine whether the heated samples met the safety requirements. The most significant condition for consumer appliances was time and for industrial equipment was temperature. The optimal roasting time was 3.01 min with a consumer appliance and 4.18 min with industrial equipment at 110 ℃, a typical temperature in the field. The acrylamide content of the tested sample was significantly in agreement with the predicted amount (R ² > 0.950).

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10068-023-01242-z.

Knockdown of phosphoinositide-dependent kinase 1 (PDK1) inhibits fibrosis and inflammation in lipopolysaccharide-induced acute lung injury rat model by attenuating NF-κB/p65 pathway activation

Background

Acute lung injury (ALI) is a common inflammatory disease of the lung. This study aimed to investigate the effect of 3-phosphoinositide-dependent kinase 1 (PDK1) interference on the levels of fibrosis and proinflammatory factors in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced ALI and discuss the relevant mechanism.

Methods

An ALI model was established by intravenous injection of LPS treatment. A total of 24 Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: sham group; ALI group; ALI + shRNA-NC group; and ALI + PDK1-shRNA group. Lung injury score, minute ventilation, lung volume, and airway resistance were used to evaluate lung function injury. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to detect PDK1 messenger RNA (mRNA) level. Western blot was performed to detect expression levels of PDK1, transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), p65, and myeloid differentiation primary response gene 88 (MyD88). The contents of interleukin-6 (IL-6), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The pathological changes and fibrosis of lung tissues were estimated by hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) and Masson staining.

Results

The results revealed that high lung injury score, low minute ventilation, low lung volume, and small airway resistance were present in the ALI group. Likewise, severe histopathological damage and fibrosis were apparent in the ALI group. Otherwise, contents of TNF-α, iNOS, IL-6, MCP-1, and levels of α-SMA, TGF-β, TLR4, phosphorylated (p)-p65, and MyD88 were enhanced in the ALI group. Interestingly, pathological changes and fibrosis were improved significantly in the ALI + PDK1-shRNA group. Besides, knockdown of PDK1 reduced lung injury score and enhanced minute ventilation, lung volume, and airway resistance. Moreover, knockdown of PDK1 decreased the contents of TNF-α, iNOS, IL-6, MCP-1, and levels of TGF-β, α-SMA, TLR4, p-p65, and MyD88.

Conclusions

Knockdown of PDK1 protects LPS-induced ALI via attenuating activation of the nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB)/p65 pathway.

Pharmacologic Activities of Plant-Derived Natural Products on Respiratory Diseases and Inflammations

Respiratory inflammation is caused by an air-mediated disease induced by polluted air, smoke, bacteria, and viruses. The COVID-19 pandemic is also a kind of respiratory disease, induced by a virus causing a serious effect on the lungs, bronchioles, and pharynges that results in oxygen deficiency. Extensive research has been conducted to find out the potent natural products that help to prevent, treat, and manage respiratory diseases. Traditionally, wider floras were reported to be used, such as Morus alba, Artemisia indica, Azadirachta indica, Calotropis gigantea, but only some of the potent compounds from some of the plants have been scientifically validated. Plant-derived natural products such as colchicine, zingerone, forsythiaside A, mangiferin, glycyrrhizin, curcumin, and many other compounds are found to have a promising effect on treating and managing respiratory inflammation. In this review, current clinically approved drugs along with the efficacy and side effects have been studied. The study also focuses on the traditional uses of medicinal plants on reducing respiratory complications and their bioactive phytoconstituents. The pharmacological evidence of lowering respiratory complications by plant-derived natural products has been critically studied with detailed mechanism and action. However, the scientific validation of such compounds requires clinical study and evidence on animal and human models to replace modern commercial medicine.

Characterization of the chemical constituents of Jie-Geng-Tang and the metabolites in the serums and lungs of mice after oral administration by LC-Q-TOF-MS

Jie-Geng-Tang (JGT), a traditional formula, is employed in the treatment of sore throat and cough and comprises Platycodonis Radix and Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma in the ratio 1 : 2. Our previous study demonstrated that JGT protected mice from S. aureus-induced acute lung injury (ALI). Five constituents of JGT showed antibacterial activities against S. aureus in vitro. However, the potential effective constituents of JGT in vivo were still unclear. In this study, the chemical constituents of JGT were identified by liquid chromatography with quadrupole time-of-flight spectrometry (LC-Q-TOF-MS). A total of 96 constituents were identified or assumed, including seven organic acids, 45 flavonoids, 36 triterpene saponins, and eight compounds of other types. The structures of 31 of the constituents were confirmed by comparing them with corresponding authentic standards. Moreover, 15 prototypes and 49 metabolites were deduced in the serums of mice, 24 prototypes and 47 metabolites were deduced in the lungs of mice after the oral administration of JGT. Three types of constituents, namely organic acids, flavonoids, and triterpene saponins, could be absorbed into the blood. Moreover, flavonoids and triterpene saponins were more likely distributed in the lung than in the blood. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on the systematic metabolites profile of JGT in vivo. The results reported were beneficial to the elucidation of the effective material basis of JGT.

Non-targeted proteomics of acute respiratory distress syndrome: clinical and research applications

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is characterized by refractory hypoxemia caused by accumulation of pulmonary fluid with a high mortality rate, but the underlying mechanism is not yet fully understood, causing absent specific therapeutic drugs to treat with ARDS. In recent years, more and more studies have applied proteomics to ARDS. Non-targeted studies of proteomics in ARDS are just beginning and have the potential to identify novel drug targets and key pathways in this disease. This paper will provide a brief review of the recent advances in the application of non-targeted proteomics to ARDS.

Properties of the Novel Chinese Herbal Medicine Formula Qu Du Qiang Fei I Hao Fang Warrant Further Research to Determine Its Clinical Efficacy in COVID-19 Treatment

Introduction: COVID-19, the infectious disease induced by the virus severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus-2, has caused increasing global health concerns, and novel strategies to prevent or ameliorate the condition are needed. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) herbal formulas have been used in the treatment of epidemics in China for over 2000 years. This study investigated the therapeutic effects of Qu Du Qiang Fei I Hao Fang (QDQF1) "Eliminating Virus and Strengthening Lung-No.1 Formula," in the treatment and prevention of COVID-19. QDQF1 consists of Shēng Huáng Qí, Běi Shā Shēn, Chuān Jié Gěng, Zhì Fáng Fēng, Qīng Lián Qiáo, Jīn Yín Huā, Bǎn Lán Gēn, Chǎo Cāng Zhú, Zǐ Huā Dì Dīng, and Shēng gān căo. Materials and Methods: A literature survey was performed by conducting systematic electronic searches in PubMed, Science Direct, Google Scholar, and in books. Results: Each herb in this formula has long been used to treat various diseases due to their pharmacologic, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial effects that inhibit microbial adherence to mucosal or epithelial surfaces, inhibit endotoxin shock, and selectively inhibit microbial growth. Conclusion: The herbs chosen for the QDQF1 formula have been historically paired, and cast a wide net over the potential COVID-19 symptomatology. Their combined functions provide comprehensive and balanced therapeutics from both TCM and allopathic perspectives. Individual herbs and herbal combinations are analyzed for their applicability to pertinent TCM patterns of COVID-19 presentations, including heat and cold patterns, damp and phlegm syndromes, toxicity, and deficiency patterns. A further study in a randomized, double-blind, and placebo-controlled trial of QDQF1 is recommended to assess its therapeutic efficacy in the treatment of COVID-19.

Principles and treatment strategies for the use of Chinese herbal medicine in patients at different stages of coronavirus infection

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a novel, human-infecting β-coronavirus enveloped, positive-sense single-stranded RNA viruses, similar to the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) infection that emerged in November 2002. In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), the epidemic disease concepts of "febrile epidemics" (wenyi) or "warm diseases" (wenbing) are based on geographic and cultural aspects, and Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) played an important role in the treatment of epidemic diseases. CHM was widely used to treat patients suffered with SARS almost two decades ago during outbreak of SARS, with proven safety and potential benefits. TCM has also been widely used to treat cancer patients for a long history and much of them associate with immunomodulatory activity and are used to treat coronavirus-related diseases. We propose the use of CHM treatment principles for clinical practice, based on four main stages of COVID-19 infection: early, intermediate, severe, and convalescence. We suggest corresponding decoctions that exhibit antiviral activity and anti-inflammatory effects in the early stage of infection; preventing the disease from progressing from an intermediate to severe stage of infection; restoring normal lung function and improving consciousness in the severe stage; and ameliorating pulmonary and vascular injury in the convalescent stage. We summarize the pharmaceutical mechanisms of CHM for treating coronavirus via antiviral, anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects.

Bioactive platycodins from Platycodonis Radix: Phytochemistry, pharmacological activities, toxicology and pharmacokinetics

Platycodonis Radix, the root of Platycodon grandiflorum (Jacq.) A. DC., is a well-known edible herbal medicine. It is a common vegetable used for the preparation of side dish, kimchi, dessert, and tea. Besides, it has been used to treat respiratory disease including cough, excessive phlegm, and sore throat for a long history. In the past decades, the bioactive components and the pharmacological activities of Platycodonis Radix have been widely investigated. Thereinto, platycodins, the oleanane-type triterpenoid saponins were demonstrated to be the main bioactive components in Platycodonis Radix, and more than 70 platycodins have been identified up to date. This paper mainly reviewed the phytochemistry, pharmacological activities (apophlegmatic, anti-tussive, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, anti-obesity, anti-diabetic, immunomodulatory, cardiovascular protective, and hepatoprotective activities, etc.), toxicology and pharmacokinetics of platycodins isolated from Platycodonis Radix, aiming to promote further investigation on therapeutic potential of these platycodins.

Novel insight into the genetic basis of high-altitude pulmonary hypertension in Kyrgyz highlanders

The Central Asian Kyrgyz highland population provides a unique opportunity to address genetic diversity and understand the genetic mechanisms underlying high-altitude pulmonary hypertension (HAPH). Although a significant fraction of the population is unaffected, there are susceptible individuals who display HAPH in the absence of any lung, cardiac or hematologic disease. We report herein the analysis of the whole-genome sequencing of healthy individuals compared with HAPH patients and other controls (total n = 33). Genome scans reveal selection signals in various regions, encompassing multiple genes from the first whole-genome sequences focusing on HAPH. We show here evidence of three candidate genes MTMR4, TMOD3 and VCAM1 that are functionally associated with well-known molecular and pathophysiological processes and which likely lead to HAPH in this population. These processes are (a) dysfunctional BMP signaling, (b) disrupted tissue repair processes and (c) abnormal endothelial cell function. Whole-genome sequence of well-characterized patients and controls and using multiple statistical tools uncovered novel candidate genes that belong to pathways central to the pathogenesis of HAPH. These studies on high-altitude human populations are pertinent to the understanding of sea level diseases involving hypoxia as a main element of their pathophysiology.

Systems biology approaches in the study of Chinese herbal formulae

Systems biology is an academic field that attempts to integrate different levels of information to understand how biological systems function. It is the study of the composition of all components of a biological system and their interactions under specific conditions. The core of systems biology is holistic and systematic research, which is different from the manner of thinking and research of all other branches of biology to date. Chinese herbal formulae (CHF) are the main form of Chinese medicine and are composed of single Chinese herbal medicines (CHMs) with pharmacological and pharmacodynamic compatibility. When single CHMs are combined into CHF, the result is different from the original effect of a single drug and can be better adapted to more diseases with complex symptoms. CHF represent a complex system with multiple components, targets and effects. Therefore, the use of systems biology is conducive to revealing the complex characteristics of CHF. With the rapid development of omics technologies, systems biology has been widely and increasingly applied to the study of the basis of the pharmacological substances, action targets and mechanisms of CHF. To meet the challenges of multiomics synthesis-intensive studies and system dynamics research in CHF, this paper reviews the common techniques of genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics, and metagenomics and their applications in research on CHF.

Platycodon grandiflorum Saponins Ameliorate Cisplatin-Induced Acute Nephrotoxicity through the NF-κB-Mediated Inflammation and PI3K/Akt/Apoptosis Signaling Pathways

Although cisplatin is a potent chemotherapeutic agent against cancers, its clinical application is seriously limited by its severe side effects of nephrotoxicity. Previous studies reported that saponins isolated from the roots of Platycodon grandiflorum (PGS) exerted protective effects in various animal models of renal injury, with no confirmation on cisplatin-induced injury. This study was designed to investigate the protective effect of PGS (15 and 30 mg/kg) on cisplatin-induced kidney injury in mice. The levels of serum creatinine (CRE) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and renal histopathology demonstrated the protective effect of PGS against cisplatin-induced kidney injury. PGS exerted anti-inflammation effects via suppressing nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) activation and alleviating the cisplatin-induced increase in inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) in kidney tissues. The expressions of phosphorylation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B and its downstream apoptotic factors, such as Bcl-2 and caspase families were regulated by PGS in a dose-dependent manner. In conclusion, PGS exerted kidney protection effects against cisplatin-induced kidney injury by inhibiting the activation of NF-κB and regulating PI3K/Akt/apoptosis signaling pathways in mice.

Identification of NF-κB as Determinant of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Its Inhibition by the Chinese Herbal Remedy Free and Easy Wanderer

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental disorder developing after exposure to traumatic events. Although psychotherapy reveals some therapeutic effectiveness, clinically sustainable cure is still uncertain. Some Chinese herbal formulae are reported to work well clinically against mental diseases in Asian countries, but the safety and their mode of action are still unclear. In this study, we investigated the mechanisms of Chinese remedy free and easy wanderer (FAEW) on PTSD. We used a reverse pharmacology approach combining clinical data to search for mechanisms of PTSD with subsequent in vitro verification and bioinformatics techniques as follows: (1) by analyzing microarray-based transcriptome-wide mRNA expression profiling of PTSD patients; (2) by investigating the effect of FAEW and the antidepressant control drug fluoxetine on the transcription factor NF-κB using reporter cell assays and western blotting; (3) by performing molecular docking and literature data mining based on phytochemical constituents of FAEW. The results suggest an involvement of inflammatory processes mediated through NF-κB in the progression of PTSD. FAEW was non-cytotoxic in vitro and inhibited NF-κB activity and p65 protein expression. FAEW's anti-inflammatory compounds, i.e., paeoniflorin, isoliquiritin, isoliquiritin apioside and ononin were evaluated for binding to IκK and p65-RelA in a molecular docking approach. Paeoniflorin, albiflorin, baicalin, isoliquiritin and liquiritin have been reported to relieve depression in vivo or in clinical trials, which might be the active ingredients for FAEW against PTSD.