Combined Extracts of Epimedii Folium and Ligustri Lucidi Fructus with Budesonide Attenuate Airway Remodeling in the Asthmatic Rats by Regulating Apoptosis and Autophagy

A review of botany, phytochemistry, pharmacology, and applications of the herb with the homology of medicine and food: Ligustrum lucidum W.T. Aiton

Ligustrum lucidum W.T. Aiton is an outstanding herb with the homology of medicine and food. Its ripe fruits are traditionally used as an important tonic for kidneys and liver in China. Ligustrum lucidum W.T. Aiton is rich in nutritional components and a variety of bioactive ingredients. A total of 206 compounds have been isolated and identified, they mainly include flavonoids, phenylpropanoids, iridoid glycosides, and triterpenoids. These compounds exert anti-osteoporosis, anti-tumor, liver protective, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory effects. Ligustrum lucidum W.T. Aiton has been traditionally used to treat many complex diseases, including osteoporotic bone pain, rheumatic bone, cancer, related aging symptoms, and so on. In the 2020 Edition of Chinese Pharmacopoeia, there are more than 100 prescriptions containing L. lucidum W.T. Aiton. Among them, some classical preparations including Er Zhi Wan and Zhenqi fuzheng formula, are used in the treatment of various cancers with good therapeutic effects. Additionally, L. lucidum W.T. Aiton has also many excellent applications for functional food, ornamental plants, bioindicator of air pollution, algicidal agents, and feed additives. Ligustrum lucidum W.T. Aiton has rich plant resources. However, the application potential of it has not been fully exploited. We hope that this paper provides a theoretical basis for the high-value and high-connotation development of L. lucidum W.T. Aiton in the future.

Effects of the combination of Epimedii Folium and Ligustri Lucidi Fructus on apoptosis and autophagy in SOP rats and osteoblasts via PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to investigate the effects of the combination of Epimedii Folium (EF) and Ligustri Lucidi Fructus (LLF) on regulating apoptosis and autophagy in senile osteoporosis (SOP) rats.

METHODS

Firstly, we identified the components in the decoction and drug-containing serum of EL (EF&LLF) by Ultra performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time of flight-mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF-MS). Secondly, SOP rats were treated with EF, LLF, EL and caltrate to evaluate the advantages of EL. Finally, H2O2-, chloroquine-, and MHY1485-induced osteoblasts were treated with different doses of EL to reveal the molecular mechanism of EL. We detected bone microstructure, oxidative stress levels, ALP activity and the expressions of Bax, Bcl-2, caspase3, P53, Beclin-1, p-PI3K, PI3K, p-Akt, Akt, p-mTOR, mTOR, and LC3 in vivo and in vitro.

RESULTS

36 compounds in EL decoction and 23 in EL-containing serum were identified, including flavonoids, iridoid terpenoids, phenylethanoid glycosides, polyols and triterpenoids. EL could inhibit apoptosis activity and increase ALP activity. In SOP rats and chloroquine-inhibited osteoblasts, EL could improve bone tissue microstructure and osteoblasts functions by upregulating Bcl-2, Beclin1, and LC3-II/LC3-I, while downregulating p53 in all treatment groups. In H2O2-induced osteoblasts, EL could upregulate the protein and mRNA expressions of Bcl-2 while downregulate LC3-II/LC3-I, p53 and Beclin1. Besides, EL was able to down-regulate PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway which activated in SOP rats and MHY1485-induced osteoblasts.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings demonstrate that EL with bone protective effects on SOP rats by regulating autophagy and apoptosis via PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway, which might be an alternative medicine for the treatment of SOP.

The mechanism and application of traditional Chinese medicine extracts in the treatment of lung cancer and other lung-related diseases

Lung cancer stands as one of the most prevalent malignancies worldwide, bearing the highest morbidity and mortality rates among all malignant tumors. The treatment of lung cancer primarily encompasses surgical procedures, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy, which are fraught with significant side effects, unfavorable prognoses, and a heightened risk of metastasis and relapse. Although targeted therapy and immunotherapy have gradually gained prominence in lung cancer treatment, diversifying the array of available methods, the overall recovery and survival rates for lung cancer patients remain suboptimal. Presently, with a holistic approach and a focus on syndrome differentiation and treatment, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has emerged as a pivotal player in the prognosis of cancer patients. TCM possesses characteristics such as targeting multiple aspects, addressing a wide range of concerns, and minimizing toxic side effects. Research demonstrates that Traditional Chinese Medicine can significantly contribute to the treatment or serve as an adjunct to chemotherapy for lung cancer and other lung-related diseases. This is achieved through mechanisms like inhibiting tumor cell proliferation, inducing tumor cell apoptosis, suppressing tumor angiogenesis, influencing the cellular microenvironment, regulating immune system function, impacting signal transduction pathways, and reversing multidrug resistance in tumor cells. In this article, we offer an overview of the advancements in research concerning Traditional Chinese Medicine extracts for the treatment or adjunctive chemotherapy of lung cancer and other lung-related conditions. Furthermore, we delve into the challenges that Traditional Chinese Medicine extracts face in lung cancer treatment, laying the foundation for the development of diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic targets.

Shaoyao-Gancao-Tang regulates the T-helper-type 1/T-helper-type 2 ratio in the lung and gut and alters gut microbiota in rats with ovalbumin-induced asthma

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Shaoyao-Gancao Tang (SGT) is a traditional Chinese medicine formulation. It has been used to treat kinds of pain and to alleviate asthma in clinic. However, the mechanism of action is not known.

AIM OF THE STUDY

To investigate the anti-asthma effect of SGT involving modulation of the T-helper type 1 (Th1) Th1/Th2 ratio in the gut-lung axis and alteration of the gut microbiota (GM) in rats with ovalbumin (OVA)-induced asthma.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The main constituents of SGT were analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). A model of asthma was established in rats by OVA-induced allergen challenge. Rats suffering from asthma (RSAs) were treated with SGT (2.5, 5.0 and 10.0 g/kg), dexamethasone (1 mg/kg) or physiologic saline for 4 weeks. The level of immunoglobulin (Ig)E in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and serum was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Histology of lung and colon tissues was investigated using staining (hematoxylin and eosin and periodic acid-Schiff). The Th1/Th2 ratio and levels of cytokines (interferon (IFN)-γ and interleukin (IL)-4) in the lung and colon were detected by immunohistochemistry. The GM in fresh feces was analyzed by 16 S rRNA gene sequencing.

RESULTS

Twelve main constituents (gallic acid, albiflorin, paeoniflorin, liquiritin apioside, liquiritin, benzoic acid, isoliquiritin apioside, isoliquiritin, liquiritigenin, glycyrrhizic acid, isoliquiritigenin and glycyrrhetinic acid) of SGT were simultaneously determined by HPLC. SGT treatment (5.0 and 10.0 g/kg) was found to reduce the IgE level (a vital marker of hyper-responsiveness) in BALF and serum, improve typical morphological changes (inflammatory-cell infiltration and goblet cell metaplasia) in the lung and colon, alleviate airway remodeling (including bronchiostenosis and basement membrane-thickening) in the lung, significantly decrease the IL-4 level and increase the IFN-γ level in the lung and colon, which led to restoration of the IFN-γ/IL-4 ratio. The dysbiosis and dysfunction of GM in RSAs were modulated by SGT. The abundance of bacteria of the genera Ethanoligenens and Harryflintia was increased in RSAs and was decreased upon SGT treatment. The abundance of Family_XIII_AD3011_group was decreased in RSAs and increased upon SGT treatment. Moreover, SGT therapy increased the abundance of bacteria of the genera Ruminococcaceae_UCG-005 and Candidatus_Sacchrimonas, and decreased that of Ruminococcus_2 and Alistipes.

CONCLUSIONS

SGT ameliorated rats with OVA-induced asthma via regulation of the Th1/Th2 ratio in the lung and gut, and modulated the GM.

Combined Epimedii Folium and Ligustri Lucidi Fructus with dexamethasone alleviate the proliferation of airway smooth muscle cells by regulating apoptosis/autophagy

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) theory believes kidney deficiency is the root cause of chronic refractory asthma with pathological changes of airway remodeling. Our previous experiments confirmed that the combination of Epimedii Folium and Ligustri Lucidi Fructus (ELL) with the effect of nourishing Yin and Yang of the kidney could improve the pathological changes of airway remodeling in asthmatic rats, but the specific mechanism remains unclear.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This research was designed to reveal the synergy of ELL and dexamethasone (Dex) in the proliferation, apoptosis, and autophagy of airway smooth muscle cells (ASMCs).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Primary cultures of ASMCs from rats were prepared and induced with histamine (Hist), Z-DEVD-FMK (ZDF), rapamycin (Rap), or 3-Methyladenine (3-MA) at generation 3-7 for 24 or 48 h. Subsequently, the cells were treated with Dex, ELL, and ELL&Dex for 24 or 48 h. The effect of various concentrations of inducers and drugs on cell viability was detected by Methyl Thiazolyl Tetrazolium (MTT) assay, cell proliferation was tested using immunocytochemistry (ICC) by detecting Ki67 protein, cell apoptosis was measured by Annexin V-FITC/PI assay and Hoechst nuclear staining, cell ultrastructure was observed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and immunofluorescence (IF), western blot (WB) combined with quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) were used for measuring autophagy and apoptosis-related genes including protein 53 (P53), cysteinyl aspartate-specific proteinase (Caspase)-3, microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 (LC3), Beclin-1, mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) and p-mTOR.

RESULTS

In ASMCs, Hist and ZDF promoted cell proliferation, significantly decreased Caspase-3 protein expression, and up-regulated Beclin-1 levels; Dex alone and in combination with ELL promoted Beclin-1, Caspase-3, and P53 expression, enhancing autophagy activity and apoptosis in Hist and ZDF-induced AMSCs. In contrast, Rap inhibited cell viability, increased Caspase-3, P53, Beclin-1, and LC3-II/I and decreased the levels of mTOR and p-mTOR with promoting apoptosis and autophagy; ELL or ELL&Dex reduced P53, Beclin-1, and LC3-II/I to down-regulate apoptosis and the excessive autophagic state of ASMCs induced by Rap. In the 3-MA model, cell viability and autophagy were reduced; ELL&Dex significantly upgraded the expression of Beclin-1, P53, and Caspase-3 and promoted apoptosis and autophagy of ASMCs.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that ELL combined with Dex may regulate the proliferation of ASMCs by promoting apoptosis and autophagy and be a potential medicine for the treatment of asthma.

Osthole exhibits an antitumor effect in retinoblastoma through inhibiting the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway via regulating the hsa_circ_0007534/miR-214-3p axis

CONTEXT

Osthole shows antitumor effects in various tumours. Studies describing the effect of osthole on retinoblastoma (RB) are rare.

OBJECTIVE

This study investigates the antitumor activity of osthole on RB.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

RB cells were treated with different concentrations of osthole and then subjected to cell viability, colony formation, apoptosis, and western blot assays. The expression of hsa_circ_0007534 in RB tissues was determined by qRT-PCR. Hsa_circ_0007534 overexpression plasmid (oe-circ_0007534), miR-214-3p mimics and negative controls were transfected into RB cells to investigate cell viability. Athymic nude mice were injected with Y-79 cells to establish subcutaneous RB models. These mice were treated with osthole (0.5 mmol/kg) or corn oil for 36 days. Tumour tissues were collected for further analysis.

RESULTS

Osthole inhibited cell viability of RB cells with an IC₅₀ of 200 μM for 24 h treatment and 120 μM for 48 h treatment, respectively. Hsa_circ_0007534 was increased significantly in RB tissues as compared to the matched nontumor tissues (p < 0.001). Oe-circ_0007534 counteracted the inhibitory effect of osthole on cell viability and colony numbers of Y-79 cells (p < 0.01). In vivo experiments indicated osthole significantly decreased the expression of hsa_circ_0007534 (p < 0.01) and increased the level of miR-214-3p in vivo. Furthermore, as compared to the control, osthole decreased the ratios of p-PI3K/PI3K, p-AKT/AKT and p-mTOR/mTOR (p < 0.01). However, hsa_circ_0007534 overexpression reversed the effect of osthole on the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS

Osthole exhibited an antitumour effect in RB, providing a scientific basis for further research and clinical applications of osthole in RB treatment.

Conciliatory Anti-Allergic Decoction Attenuates Pyroptosis in RSV-Infected Asthmatic Mice and Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-Induced 16HBE Cells by Inhibiting TLR3/NLRP3/NF-κB/IRF3 Signaling Pathway

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection can deteriorate asthma by inducing persistent airway inflammation. Increasing evidence elucidated that pyroptosis plays a pivotal role in asthma. Conciliatory anti-allergic decoction (CAD) exhibits an anti-inflammatory effect in ovalbumin (OVA)-induced asthma; however, the effects and mechanisms of CAD in RSV-infected asthmatic mice have not yet been elucidated. The RSV-infected asthmatic mice model and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced 16HBE cell pyroptosis model were established, respectively. Pulmonary function, ELISA, and histopathologic analysis were performed to assess the airway inflammation and remodeling in mice with CAD treatment. Furthermore, ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight/mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF/MS) was conducted to identify the chemical compounds of high-dose CAD (30 g/kg). Cell viability and apoptosis of 16HBE cells were assessed by CCK-8 and flow cytometry assays, respectively. Finally, the expression levels of apoptosis-, pyroptosis-, and TLR3/NLRP3/NF-κB/IRF3 signaling-related genes were measured with qRT-PCR or western blotting, respectively. Pulmonary function tests showed that CAD significantly ameliorated respiratory dysfunction, airway hyperresponsiveness, inflammation cell recruitment in BALF, pulmonary inflammation, collagen deposition, and cell death in lung tissues. CAD significantly decreased the content of TNF-α, IL-13, IL-4, IL-1β and IL-5 in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), IL-17, IL-6, and OVA-specific IgE in serum and increased serum IFN-γ in asthma mice. The results of UPLC-Q-TOF/MS showed that high-dose CAD had 88 kinds of chemical components. In vitro, CAD-contained serum significantly suppressed LPS-induced 16HBE cell apoptosis. Additionally, CAD and CAD-contained serum attenuated the up-regulated expressions of Bax, Cleaved caspase-3, NLRP3, ASC, Cleaved caspase-1, GSDMD-N, IL-18, IL-1β, TLR3, p-P65, p-IκBα, and IRF3 but increased Bcl-1 and GSDMD levels in the asthma mice and LPS-induced 16HBE cells, respectively. These results illustrated that CAD may have a potential role in improving airway inflammation and pyroptosis through inhibition of the TLR3/NLRP3/NF-κB/IRF3 signaling pathway.

Huanglong Antitussive Granule Relieves Acute Asthma Through Regulating Pulmonary Lipid Homeostasis

Background: Asthma is a respiratory disease with chronic airway inflammatory, and individuals with asthma exacerbations is one of the most frequent causes of hospitalization. Huanglong antitussive granule (HL Granule), a Chinese proprietary herbal medicine, has been proved to be effective in the clinical treatment of pulmonary disease. This study is devoted to the pharmacodynamics of HL Granule in acute asthma and the possible mechanism from the perspective of lipidomics. Methods: Mice were divided into four groups, control group, acute asthma model group, HL Granule treatment and montelukast sodium treatment group. Acute asthma was induced by ovalbumin (OVA). Histopathology, pulmonary function and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) were used to validated model and effect of HL Granule. Lipids were detected by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to hybrid Quadrupole-Exactive Orbitrap mass spectrometry (UHPLC-Q-Exactive Orbitrap MS) and identified by MS-DAIL and built-in Lipidblast database. Differentially expressed lipids recalled in HL Granule treatment group were extracted for heatmap, enrichment analysis and correlation analysis. Results: HL Granule was effective in decreasing airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR), airway inflammatory and the levels of IL-4 and IL-5. A total of 304 and 167 lipids were identified in positive and negative ion mode, respectively. Among these, 104 and 73 lipids were reserved in HL Granule group (FDR < 0.05), including acylcarnitine (ACar), fatty acid (FA), lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC), phosphatidylcholine (PC), lysophosphatidylethanolamine (LPE), phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), phosphatidylglycerol (PG), phosphatidylinositol (PI), phosphatidylserine (PS), diglyceride (DG), triglyceride (TG), sphingomyelin (SM) and ceramide (Cer). Furthermore, 118 and 273 correlations among 47 and 96 lipids in the positive and negative were observed, with ether-linked phosphatidylethanolamine (PEe) and phosphatidylcholine (PCe) (FDR < 0.001, Spearman correlation coefficient r ² > 0.75). Conclusion: HL Granule might improve pulmonary lipid homeostasis and could be used as an alternative or supplementary therapy in clinical for the treatment of asthma.