Combination of HPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS, Network Pharmacology, and Molecular Docking to Reveal the Mechanism of Apple Pollen in the Treatment of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Casuarina glauca branchlets' extract as a potential treatment for ulcerative colitis: chemical composition, in silico and in vivo studies

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is an inflammatory bowel disease that is often resistant to current treatment options, leading to a need for alternative therapies. Herbal products have shown promise in managing various conditions, including UC. However, the potential of Casuarina glauca branchlets ethanolic extract (CGBRE) in treating UC has not been explored. This study aimed to analyze the chemical composition of CGBRE and evaluate its efficacy in UC treatment through in silico and in vivo experiments. LC-ESI-MS/MS was used to identify 86 compounds in CGBRE, with 21 potential bioactive compounds determined through pharmacokinetic analysis. Network pharmacology analysis revealed 171 potential UC targets for the bioactive compounds, including EGFR, LRRK2, and HSP90 as top targets, which were found to bind to key CGBRE compounds through molecular docking. Molecular docking findings suggested that CGBRE may be effective in the prevention or treatment of ulcerative colitis mediated by these proteins, where key CGBRE compounds exhibited good binding affinities through formation of numerous interactions. In vivo studies in rats with acetic acid-induced UC demonstrated that oral administration of 300 mg/kg CGBRE for 6 days reduced UC symptoms and colonic expression of EGFR, LRRK2, and HSP90. These findings supported the therapeutic potential of CGBRE in UC and suggested the need for further preclinical and clinical investigation.

[Yifei Sanjie Pills alleviates cancer-related skeletal muscle atrophy in mice possibly by lowering inflammatory insulin resistance]

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effects of Yifei Sanjie Pills (YFSJ) on weight, strength, pathology, glycogen and lipid contents and metabolism of skeletal muscles in tumor-bearing mice and explore the therapeutic mechanism of YFSJ for cancer-related skeletal muscle atrophy.

METHODS

Sixteen female ICR mice bearing intraperitoneal Lewis lung adenocarcinoma xenografts were randomized into model group and YFSJ treatment group (daily dose of 4 g/kg for 21 days, n=8), with another 8 normal mice as the normal control group. The changes in body weight and gastrocnemius muscle weight of the mice were recorded. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) was used to analyze the drug components in YFSJ entering the blood. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to detect serum blood glucose and insulin concentrations and inflammatory cytokine levels in the serum and gastrocnemius. RNA-seq was performed to analyze the signaling pathways involved in the pathologies of the gastrocnemius muscle, and lipid contents in the muscle were observed using Oil red O staining. Adenosine triphosphatase staining was used to assess the metabolic intensity of the gastrocnemius muscle, and inflammatory cell infiltration and P-AKT level were evaluated using immunohistochemical staining; the contents of creatine kinase, lactate dehydrogenase and myoglobin in the gastrocnemius muscle were also detected.

RESULTS

Treatment with YFSJ significantly increased skeletal muscle strength and gastrocnemius muscle weight (P < 0.001) and reduced the levels of gastrocnemius muscle injury markers in the tumor-bearing mice (P < 0.01). RNA-seq and LC-MS showed that YFSJ alleviated gastrocnemius muscle injury in the tumor-bearing mice possibly by improving inflammatory infiltration, insulin resistance and lipid metabolism (P < 0.05). YFSJ lowered inflammatory cytokine levels in both the serum and gastrocnemius muscle (P < 0.05), reduced pro-inflammatory cell infiltration, increased P-AKT level, and improved glycogen and lipid contents and metabolic levels in the gastrocnemius muscle.

CONCLUSION

YFSJ alleviates cancer-related skeletal muscle atrophy possibly by reducing inflammatory insulin resistance.