1
|
Chen M, Huang F, Chen B, Kang J, Yao Y, Liua M, Li Y, Li Y, Zhou T, Peng D, Luo L, Wei C, Xing Y, Wu Q, Zhou H, Tong G. A classical herbal formula alleviates high-fat diet induced nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) via targeting mitophagy to rehabilitate dysfunctional mitochondria, validated by UPLC-HRMS identification combined with in vivo experiment. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 168:115831. [PMID: 37939615 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.115831] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2023] [Revised: 10/17/2023] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 11/10/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) has caused a significant burden on public health care systems, the economy and society. However, there has still been no officially approved pharmacotherapy for NASH. It has been suggested that oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction play vital roles in NASH pathological progression. Shugan Xiaozhi (SG) formula, as a kind of classical herbal formula, was shown to attenuate NASH. PURPOSE This study aimed to explore the potential mechanisms of SG formula treating NASH. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS Ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometry combined with bioinformatics analysis was applied to explore the therapeutic targets and main components of SG formula. Moreover, in vivo NASH model was utilized to confirmed the therapeutic effects of SG formula. Molecular docking analysis and further validation experiments were conducted to verify the results of bioinformatics analysis. RESULTS The in vivo experiments confirmed SG formula significantly attenuated hepatic pathological progression and relieved oxidative stress in high-fat diet (HFD) induced - NASH model. Ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometry (UPLC-HRMS) combined with bioinformatics analysis expounded the components of SG formula and revealed the mitochondrial regulation mechanism of SG formula treating NASH. Further in vivo experiments validated that SG formula could alleviate oxidative stress by rehabilitating the structure and function of mitochondria, which was strongly related to regulating mitophagy. CONCLUSION In summary, this study demonstrated that SG formula, which could attenuate NASH by regulating mitochondria and might be a potential pharmacotherapy for NASH.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mingtai Chen
- Faculty of Chinese Medicine and State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Taipa, Macau; Shenzhen Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Shenzhen, PR China
| | - Furong Huang
- Faculty of Chinese Medicine and State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Taipa, Macau
| | - Bohao Chen
- Shenzhen Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Shenzhen, PR China
| | - Junli Kang
- Faculty of Chinese Medicine and State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Taipa, Macau
| | - Yijing Yao
- Faculty of Chinese Medicine and State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Taipa, Macau
| | - Mengnan Liua
- National Traditional Chinese Medicine Clinical Research Base and Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, the Affiliated Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, PR China
| | - Yuanyuan Li
- Faculty of Chinese Medicine and State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Taipa, Macau
| | - Yaqin Li
- Faculty of Chinese Medicine and State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Taipa, Macau; Department of Infectious Disease, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, PR China
| | - Tianran Zhou
- Shenzhen Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Shenzhen, PR China
| | - Deti Peng
- Shenzhen Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Shenzhen, PR China
| | - Lidan Luo
- Shenzhen Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Shenzhen, PR China
| | - Chunshan Wei
- Shenzhen Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Shenzhen, PR China
| | - Yufeng Xing
- Shenzhen Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Shenzhen, PR China
| | - Qibiao Wu
- Faculty of Chinese Medicine and State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Taipa, Macau.
| | - Hua Zhou
- Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Guangdong Provincial Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Dampness Syndrome of Chinese Medicine, Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Joint Lab on Chinese Medicine and Immune Disease Research, Guangzhou, PR China.
| | - Guangdong Tong
- Faculty of Chinese Medicine and State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Taipa, Macau; Shenzhen Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Shenzhen, PR China; Shenzhen Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Shenzhen, PR China.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Yang R, Yang H, Jiang D, Xu L, Feng L, Xing Y. Investigation of the potential mechanism of the Shugan Xiaozhi decoction for the treatment of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease based on network pharmacology, molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation. PeerJ 2022; 10:e14171. [PMID: 36389420 PMCID: PMC9657198 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.14171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2022] [Accepted: 09/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a metabolic disease, the incidence of which increases annually. Shugan Xiaozhi (SGXZ) decoction, a composite traditional Chinese medicinal prescription, has been demonstrated to exert a therapeutic effect on NAFLD. In this study, the potential bioactive ingredients and mechanism of SGXZ decoction against NAFLD were explored via network pharmacology, molecular docking, and molecular dynamics simulation. Methods Compounds in SGXZ decoction were identified and collected from the literature, and the corresponding targets were predicted through the Similarity Ensemble Approach database. Potential targets related to NAFLD were searched on DisGeNET and GeneCards databases. The compound-target-disease and protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks were constructed to recognize key compounds and targets. Functional enrichment analysis of Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) was performed on the targets. Molecular docking was used to further screen the potent active compounds in SGXZ. Finally, molecular dynamics (MD) simulation was applied to verify and validate the binding between the most potent compound and targets. Results A total of 31 active compounds and 220 corresponding targets in SGXZ decoction were collected. Moreover, 1,544 targets of NAFLD were obtained, of which 78 targets intersected with the targets of SGXZ decoction. Key compounds and targets were recognized through the compound-target-disease and PPI network. Multiple biological pathways were annotated, including PI3K-Akt, MAPK, insulin resistance, HIF-1, and tryptophan metabolism. Molecular docking showed that gallic acid, chlorogenic acid and isochlorogenic acid A could combine with the key targets. Molecular dynamics simulations suggested that isochlorogenic acid A might potentially bind directly with RELA, IL-6, VEGFA, and MMP9 in the regulation of PI3K-Akt signaling pathway. Conclusion This study investigated the active substances and key targets of SGXZ decoction in the regulation of multiple-pathways based on network pharmacology and computational approaches, providing a theoretical basis for further pharmacological research into the potential mechanism of SGXZ in NAFLD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rong Yang
- Faculty of Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macau, China
| | - Huili Yang
- Department of Hepatology, Shenzhen Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Shenzhen, China
| | - Dansheng Jiang
- Department of Hepatology, Shenzhen Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Shenzhen, China
| | - Linyi Xu
- Department of Hepatology, Shenzhen Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Shenzhen, China
| | - Lian Feng
- Department of Hepatology, Shenzhen Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yufeng Xing
- Department of Hepatology, Shenzhen Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Shenzhen, China
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Intervention of Shugan Xiaozhi Decoction on Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease via Mediating Gut-Liver Axis. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2022; 2022:4801695. [PMID: 35837380 PMCID: PMC9276511 DOI: 10.1155/2022/4801695] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2022] [Accepted: 06/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a chronic liver disease with an increasing incidence rate but few therapies. Shugan Xiaozhi decoction (SX) has demonstrated beneficial effects in treating NAFLD with an unclear mechanism. This study was aimed at investigating the therapeutic mechanism of SX on high-fat diet-induced NAFLD rats via the gut-liver axis. Hepatic steatosis and integrity of intestinal mucosa in NAFLD rats were assessed by histopathological staining. The level of lipid and inflammation were estimated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Western Blotting was used to detect apolipoprotein (apo) B48 expression. 16S rRNA analysis was used to measure the changes of gut microbial composition after SX treatment. The expressions of zona occludens 1 protein (ZO-1), occludin, and secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA) in the colon were detected by immunostaining to investigate the intestinal barrier function. Our study found that SX reduced hepatic steatosis, the levels of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, total cholesterol, and triglyceride and apoB48 expression but increased peroxisome proliferator activated receptor α (PPARα) level. Moreover, SX altered the diversity of gut microbiota, upregulating the relative abundance of f_Prevotellaceae, while downregulating f_Bacteroidales_ S24-7, f_Lachnospiraceae, f_Ruminococcaceae, f_Erysipelotrichaceae, and f_Desulfovibrionaceae. By increasing the expression of ZO-1 and occludin and decreasing the level of proinflammatory factors, including sIgA, lipopolysaccharide, tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-1β, monocyte chemotactic protein-1, and transforming growth factor-β1, SX improved intestinal mucosal integrity and barrier function. Our study illustrated that the gut-liver axis was a potential way for SX to ameliorate NAFLD, that is, by regulating the expression of PPARα, apoB48, and modulating gut microbiota to protect the intestinal barrier function, and thus alleviate lipid deposition and inflammatory response in the liver.
Collapse
|
4
|
Chen M, Xie Y, Gong S, Wang Y, Yu H, Zhou T, Huang F, Guo X, Zhang H, Huang R, Han Z, Xing Y, Liu Q, Tong G, Zhou H. Traditional Chinese medicine in the treatment of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. Pharmacol Res 2021; 172:105849. [PMID: 34450307 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2021.105849] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2021] [Revised: 08/21/2021] [Accepted: 08/22/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is a common chronic liver disease in clinical practice. It has been considered that NASH is one of the main causes of chronic liver disease, cirrhosis and carcinoma. The mechanism of the NASH progression is complex, including lipid metabolism dysfunction, insulin resistance, oxidative stress, inflammation, apoptosis, fibrosis and gut microbiota dysbiosis. Except for lifestyle modification and bariatric surgery, there has been no pharmacological therapy that is being officially approved in NASH treatment. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), as a conventional and effective therapeutic strategy, has been proved to be beneficial in treating NASH in numbers of studies. In the light of this, TCM may provide a potential therapy for treating NASH. In this review, we summarized the associated mechanisms of action TCM treating NASH in preclinical studies and systematically analysis the effectiveness of TCM treating NASH in current clinical trials.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mingtai Chen
- Faculty of Chinese Medicine and State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Taipa, Macao, PR China; Department of Cardiovascular Disease, Shenzhen Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Shenzhen, PR China
| | - Ying Xie
- School of Pharmacy and State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macao, PR China
| | - Shenglan Gong
- Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong, PR China
| | - Yunqiao Wang
- Faculty of Chinese Medicine and State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Taipa, Macao, PR China
| | - Hao Yu
- Faculty of Chinese Medicine and State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Taipa, Macao, PR China
| | - Tianran Zhou
- Department of Liver Disease, Shenzhen Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Shenzhen, PR China
| | - Furong Huang
- Department of Liver Disease, Shenzhen Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Shenzhen, PR China
| | - Xin Guo
- Faculty of Chinese Medicine and State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Taipa, Macao, PR China
| | - Huanhuan Zhang
- Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong, PR China
| | - Ruolan Huang
- Department of Neurology, Shenzhen University Clinical Research Center for Neurological Diseases, Shenzhen University General Hospital, Shenzhen, PR China
| | - Zhiyi Han
- Department of Liver Disease, Shenzhen Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Shenzhen, PR China
| | - Yufeng Xing
- Faculty of Chinese Medicine and State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Taipa, Macao, PR China; Department of Liver Disease, Shenzhen Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Shenzhen, PR China
| | - Qiang Liu
- Department of Cardiovascular Disease, Shenzhen Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Shenzhen, PR China
| | - Guangdong Tong
- Faculty of Chinese Medicine and State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Taipa, Macao, PR China; Department of Liver Disease, Shenzhen Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Shenzhen, PR China.
| | - Hua Zhou
- Faculty of Chinese Medicine and State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Taipa, Macao, PR China; Joint Laboratory for Translational Cancer Research of Chinese Medicine of the Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, Macau University of Science and Technology, Taipa, Macao, PR China.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Torelli Hijo AH, Coutinho CP, Alba-Loureiro TC, Moreira Leite JS, Bargi-Souza P, Goulart-Silva F. High fat diet modulates the protein content of nutrient transporters in the small intestine of mice: possible involvement of PKA and PKC activity. Heliyon 2019; 5:e02611. [PMID: 31667423 PMCID: PMC6812199 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2019.e02611] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2019] [Revised: 07/23/2019] [Accepted: 10/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Aims Chronic high fat consumption has been shown to modulate nutrient transporter content in the intestine of obese mice; however it is unclear if this regulation occurs before or after the establishment of obesity, and the underlying molecular mechanism requires elucidation. Main methods Towards this goal C57BL/6 mice were fed a low fat diet (LFD) or high fat diet (HFD), and specific protein and gene expression levels were assessed for up to 12 weeks. Similar experiments were also performed with leptin-deficient (Ob/Ob) mice. Key findings The results showed that the HFD group presented decreased GLUT2, PEPT1, FAT/CD36 and NPC1L1, and increased NHE3, MTTP and L-FABP content. Animals fed an HFD also presented enhanced lipid transporter gene expression of Slc27a4, Npc1l1, Cd36, Mttp and L-Fabp. Additionally, FAT/CD36 and NPC1L1 protein levels were reduced in both HFD-induced obese and Ob/Ob mice. Ob/Ob mice also exhibited increased Slc2a2 and Slc15a1 mRNAs expression, but the protein expression levels remained unchanged. The HFD also attenuated PKA and PKC activities. The inhibition of PKA was associated with decreased FAT/CD36 content, whereas increased L-FABP levels likely depend on CREB activation, independent of PKA. It is plausible that the HFD-induced changes in NPC1L1, MTTP and L-FABP protein content involve regulation at the level of transcription. Moreover, the changes in GLUT2 and PEPT1 content might be associated with low PKC activity. Significance The results indicated that an HFD is capable of reducing nutrient transporter content, possibly attenuating nutrient uptake into the intestine, and may represent a feedback mechanism for regulating body weight. Furthermore, the elevated levels of NHE3, L-FABP and MTTP may account for the increased prevalence of hypertension and dyslipidemia in obese individuals. All of these changes are potentially linked to reduced PKA or PKC activities.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Camille Perella Coutinho
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | | | - Paula Bargi-Souza
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Institute of Biological Science, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Francemilson Goulart-Silva
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|