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Xu L, Cai C, Fang J, Wu Q, Zhao J, Wang Z, Guo P, Zheng L, Liu A. Systems pharmacology dissection of pharmacological mechanisms of Xiaochaihu decoction against human coronavirus. BMC Complement Med Ther 2023; 23:252. [PMID: 37475019 PMCID: PMC10357659 DOI: 10.1186/s12906-023-04024-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2022] [Accepted: 06/03/2023] [Indexed: 07/22/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is still rage worldwide, there are still very limited treatments for human coronaviruses (HCoVs) infections. Xiaochahu decoction (XCHD), which is one of the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) prescriptions in Qingfeipaidu decoction (QFPDD), is widely used for COVID-19 treatment in China and able to relieve the symptoms of fever, fatigue, anorexia, and sore throat. To explore the role and mechanisms of XCHD against HCoVs, we presented an integrated systems pharmacology framework in this study. METHODS We constructed a global herb-compound-target (H-C-T) network of XCHD against HCoVs. Multi-level systems pharmacology analyses were conducted to highlight the key XCHD-regulated proteins, and reveal multiple HCoVs relevant biological functions affected by XCHD. We further utilized network-based prediction, drug-likeness analysis, combining with literature investigations to uncover the key ani-HCoV constituents in XCHD, whose effects on anit-HCoV-229E virus were validated using cytopathic effect (CPE) assay. Finally, we proposed potential molecular mechanisms of these compounds against HCoVs via subnetwork analysis. RESULTS Based on the systems pharmacology framework, we identified 161 XCHD-derived compounds interacting with 37 HCoV-associated proteins. An integrated pathway analysis revealed that the mechanism of XCHD against HCoVs is related to TLR signaling pathway, RIG-I-like receptor signaling pathway, cytoplasmic DNA sensing pathway, and IL-6/STAT3 pro-inflammatory signaling pathway. Five compounds from XCHD, including betulinic acid, chrysin, isoliquiritigenin, schisandrin B, and (20R)-Ginsenoside Rh1 exerted inhibitory activity against HCoV-229E virus in Huh7 cells using in vitro CPE assay. CONCLUSION Our work presented a comprehensive systems pharmacology approach to identify the effective molecules and explore the molecular mechanism of XCHD against HCoVs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lvjie Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Functions of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Drug Target Identification and Drug Screening, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China
- Department of Pharmacy, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Chuipu Cai
- Division of Data Intelligence, Department of Computer Science, Key Laboratory of Intelligent Manufacturing Technology of Ministry of Education, Shantou University, Shantou, China
- Science and Technology Innovation Center, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jiansong Fang
- Science and Technology Innovation Center, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qihui Wu
- Science and Technology Innovation Center, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jun Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Functions of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Drug Target Identification and Drug Screening, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China
| | - Zhe Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Functions of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Drug Target Identification and Drug Screening, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China
| | - Pengfei Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Functions of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Drug Target Identification and Drug Screening, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China
| | - Lishu Zheng
- NHC Key Laboratory of Medical Virology and Viral Diseases, National Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention, China CDC, Beijing, China.
- Center for Biosafety Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
| | - Ailin Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Functions of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China.
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Drug Target Identification and Drug Screening, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China.
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Ma L, Huang M, Sun G, Lin Y, Lu D, Wu B. Puerariae lobatae radix protects against UVB-induced skin aging via antagonism of REV-ERBα in mice. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:1088294. [PMID: 36618934 PMCID: PMC9813444 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.1088294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2022] [Accepted: 12/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Puerariae lobatae radix (PLR) is a wildly used herbal medicine. Here we aimed to assess the PLR efficacy against UVB (ultraviolet-B)-induced skin aging and to determine the mechanisms thereof. We found a significant protective effect of PLR (topical application) on UVB-induced skin aging in mice, as evidenced by reduced skin wrinkles, epidermal thickness, and MDA (malondialdehyde) content as well as increased levels of HYP (hydroxyproline) and SOD (superoxide dismutase) in the skin. In the meantime, Mmp-1, p21 and p53 levels were decreased in the skin of PLR-treated mice. Anti-aging effects of PLR were also confirmed in L929 cells. Furthermore, PLR up-regulated skin expression of BMAL1, which is a known regulator of aging by promoting Nrf2 and antioxidant enzymes. Consistently, Nrf2 and several genes (i.e., Prdx6, Sod1, and Sod2) encoding antioxidant enzymes in the skin were increased in PLR-treated mice. Moreover, based on Gal4 chimeric assay, Bmal1 reporter gene and expression assays, we identified PLR as an antagonist of REV-ERBα that can increase Bmal1 expression. Intriguingly, loss of Rev-erbα protected mice against UVB-induced skin aging and abrogated the protective effect of PLR. In conclusion, PLR acts as an antagonist of REV-ERBα and promotes the expression of BMAL1 to protect against skin aging in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luyao Ma
- Institute of Molecular Rhythm and Metabolism, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Meiping Huang
- Institute of Molecular Rhythm and Metabolism, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Guanghui Sun
- College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yanke Lin
- College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Danyi Lu
- Institute of Molecular Rhythm and Metabolism, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Baojian Wu
- Institute of Molecular Rhythm and Metabolism, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
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Chaiprasongsuk A, Panich U. Role of Phytochemicals in Skin Photoprotection via Regulation of Nrf2. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:823881. [PMID: 35645796 PMCID: PMC9133606 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.823881] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2021] [Accepted: 04/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Ethnopharmacological studies have become increasingly valuable in the development of botanical products and their bioactive phytochemicals as novel and effective preventive and therapeutic strategies for various diseases including skin photoaging and photodamage-related skin problems including abnormal pigmentation and inflammation. Exploring the roles of phytochemicals in mitigating ultraviolet radiation (UVR)-induced skin damage is thus of importance to offer insights into medicinal and ethnopharmacological potential for development of novel and effective photoprotective agents. UVR plays a role in the skin premature aging (or photoaging) or impaired skin integrity and function through triggering various biological responses of skin cells including apoptosis, oxidative stress, DNA damage and inflammation. In addition, melanin produced by epidermal melanocytes play a protective role against UVR-induced skin damage and therefore hyperpigmentation mediated by UV irradiation could reflect a sign of defensive response of the skin to stress. However, alteration in melanin synthesis may be implicated in skin damage, particularly in individuals with fair skin. Oxidative stress induced by UVR contributes to the process of skin aging and inflammation through the activation of related signaling pathways such as the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)/activator protein-1 (AP-1), the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt), the nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) and the signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) in epidermal keratinocytes and dermal fibroblasts. ROS formation induced by UVR also plays a role in regulation of melanogenesis in melanocytes via modulating MAPK, PI3K/Akt and the melanocortin 1 receptor (MC1R)-microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF) signaling cascades. Additionally, nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)-regulated antioxidant defenses can affect the major signaling pathways involved in regulation of photoaging, inflammation associated with skin barrier dysfunction and melanogenesis. This review thus highlights the roles of phytochemicals potentially acting as Nrf2 inducers in improving photoaging, inflammation and hyperpigmentation via regulation of cellular homeostasis involved in skin integrity and function. Taken together, understanding the role of phytochemicals targeting Nrf2 in photoprotection could provide an insight into potential development of natural products as a promising strategy to delay skin photoaging and improve skin conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Uraiwan Panich
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
- *Correspondence: Uraiwan Panich,
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