Quantitative Analysis of Multicomponents in Qufeng Zhitong Capsule and Application of Network Pharmacology to Explore the Anti-Inflammatory Activity of Focused Compounds

The Potential Mechanisms of Qufeng Zhitong Capsule against Rheumatoid Arthritis Based on Network Pharmacology and In Vitro Experiments

Qufeng Zhitong capsule (QFZTC) is a traditional Chinese herbal formula with potential therapeutic efficacy in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). This study seeks to clarify the potential effects and mechanisms of QFZTC against RA. Active compounds and targets of QFZTC were retrieved from the Herbal Ingredients' Targets (HIT), Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform (TCMSP), and Traditional Chinese Medicine Integrated Database (TCMID) databases. RA-related targets were searched on GeneCards and DisGeNET databases. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was established using the STRING database. Gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Gene and Genome (KEGG) enrichment analyses were performed on hub targets. Molecular docking was conducted on hub targets and active compounds. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was applied to characterize the active compounds in QFZTC. RA-fibroblast like synoviocytes (RA-FLSs) were cultured and treated by QFZTC-containing serum, in which proinflammatory cytokines and hub targets were detected. Cell viability was determined by cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay. A total of 360 active compounds and 445 potential targets are identified for QFZTC against RA. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) network determined five hub targets, interleukin 6 (IL6), IL1B, VEGFA, JUN, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF). GO and KEGG analyses revealed that the MAPK pathway may be a critical signaling in QFZTC treating RA. Molecular docking showed that luteolin, kaempferol, and myricetin has good affinity with TNF, and they were identified by HPLC. In vitro experiments confirmed that QFZTC restrained the cell viability and inflammation in RA. This study revealed the active compounds and molecular targets for QFZTC treating RA. QFZTC is a promising drug and ameliorates RA by inhibiting inflammatory response.

Quality grade evaluation of Nvjin Pills based on traditional Chinese medicine reference drug and network pharmacology of target-focused compounds

To improve the effectiveness of marketed drugs related to active ingredients, it is necessary to designate a more unified quality evaluation standard. Taking Nvjin Pills as an example, this study reported the development of a novel principle of analysis in traditional Chinese medicine. The core of the experiment is to prepare three batches of traditional Chinese medicine reference drugs by high-quality Chinese materia medica. The active ingredients identified in the herbal formula including glycyrrhizic acid, cinnamaldehyde, paeonol, baicalin, hesperidin, paeoniflorin, and ferulic acid were analyzed in traditional Chinese medicine reference drugs by the high-performance liquid chromatography method combined with wavelength switching. The simple prediction results of network pharmacological analysis verified the feasibility and reliability of the established quantitative analysis method for seven target-focused compounds in Nvjin Pills, which were recommended as candidate indicators for quality evaluation ultimately. Using the seven target-focused compounds as the scientific ruler, quality grade specifications of Nvjin Pills were proposed by comprehensive analysis. Accordingly, 16, 47, and 13 batches of samples were primarily graded as first grade, second grade, and unqualified grade, respectively. This study will provide a chemical basis for quality control of Nvjin Pills, which is necessary for the production process of pharmaceutical development.

Quantitative Analysis of the Multicomponent and Spectrum-Effect Correlation of the Antispasmodic Activity of Shaoyao-Gancao Decoction

Shaoyao-Gancao Decoction (SGD) is a well-known classic traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) with antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory, and analgesic effects. This preparation has been widely used to treat spasticity diseases in the clinic. To date, the material basis of SGD remains unclear, and the spectrum-effect correlation of its antispasmodic activity has not been reported yet. In this study, high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used to establish the fingerprint and determine the multiple components of SGD. The common peaks of fingerprints were evaluated by the similarity with the chromatographic fingerprints of the TCM. Meanwhile, the multiple components were quantified and analysed using the heatmap and box size analysis. Furthermore, data on the antispasmodic effect were extracted through in vitro smooth muscle contraction assay. Grey relational analysis combined with partial least square regression was used to study the spectrum-effect correlation of SGD. Finally, the potential antispasmolytic components were validated using an isolated tissue experiment. The HPLC fingerprint was established, and 20 common peaks were identified. The similarities of 15 batches of SGD were all above 0.965. The HPLC method for simultaneous determination of the multiple components was accurate and reliable. The contents of albiflorin, paeoniflorin, liquiritin, and glycyrrhizic acid were higher than the other components in SGD. The heatmap and box size also showed that X3 (albiflorin), X4 (paeoniflorin), X5 (liquiritin), X11 (liquirtigenin), and X16 (glycyrrhizic acid) could be used as quality indicators in the further establishment of quality standards. The spectrum-effect correlation results indicated that X4, X11, and X16 were highly correlated with antispasmolytic activity. Verification tests showed that paeoniflorin (11.7-29.25 μg/mL) and liquirtigenin (17.19-28.65 μg/mL) could significantly reduce the maximum contractile (P < 0.01). These compounds exerted concentration-dependent spasmolytic effects with the inhibitory response for acetylcholine (Ach)-evoked contraction. Thus, SGD had a significant antispasmodic effect, which resulted from the synergistic activity of its multiple components. These findings can be used for the pharmacodynamics study of SGD and are of great significance for the determination of quality markers and quality control.