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Huang Y, Wu Q, Li S, Lin X, Yang S, Zhu R, Fu C, Zhang Z. Harnessing nature's pharmacy: investigating natural compounds as novel therapeutics for ulcerative colitis. Front Pharmacol 2024; 15:1394124. [PMID: 39206263 PMCID: PMC11349575 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2024.1394124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2024] [Accepted: 07/01/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Backgrounds Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a form of chronic inflammatory bowel disease, and UC diagnosis rates continue to rise throughout the globe. The research and development of new drugs for the treatment of UC are urgent, and natural compounds are an important source. However, there is a lack of systematic summarization of natural compounds and their mechanisms for the treatment of UC. Methods We reviewed the literature in the databases below from their inception until July 2023: Web of Science, PubMed, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, and Wanfang Data, to obtain information on the relationship between natural compounds and UC. Results The results showed that 279 natural compounds treat UC through four main mechanisms, including regulating gut microbiota and metabolites (Mechanism I), protecting the intestinal mucosal barrier (Mechanism II), regulating intestinal mucosal immune response (Mechanism III), as well as regulating other mechanisms (Mechanism Ⅳ) such as cellular autophagy modulation and ferroptosis inhibition. Of these, Mechanism III is regulated by all natural compounds. The 279 natural compounds, including 62 terpenoids, 57 alkaloids, 52 flavonoids, 26 phenols, 19 phenylpropanoids, 9 steroids, 9 saponins, 8 quinonoids, 6 vitamins, and 31 others, can effectively ameliorate UC. Of these, terpenoids, alkaloids, and flavonoids have the greatest potential for treating UC. It is noteworthy to highlight that a total of 54 natural compounds exhibit their therapeutic effects by modulating Mechanisms I, II, and III. Conclusion This review serves as a comprehensive resource for the pharmaceutical industry, researchers, and clinicians seeking novel therapeutic approaches to combat UC. Harnessing the therapeutic potential of these natural compounds may significantly contribute to the improvement of the quality of life of patients with UC and promotion of disease-modifying therapies in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- You Huang
- School of Pharmacy/School of Modern Chinese Medicine Industry, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Qiuhong Wu
- School of Pharmacy/School of Modern Chinese Medicine Industry, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Sha Li
- School of Pharmacy/School of Modern Chinese Medicine Industry, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Xia Lin
- School of Pharmacy/School of Modern Chinese Medicine Industry, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Shasha Yang
- School of Pharmacy/School of Modern Chinese Medicine Industry, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Rui Zhu
- School of Pharmacy/School of Modern Chinese Medicine Industry, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Chaomei Fu
- School of Pharmacy/School of Modern Chinese Medicine Industry, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Zhen Zhang
- School of Pharmacy/School of Modern Chinese Medicine Industry, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
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Li X, Xu S, Zhang Y, Li K, Gao XJ, Guo MY. Berberine Depresses Inflammation and Adjusts Smooth Muscle to Ameliorate Ulcerative Colitis of Cats by Regulating Gut Microbiota. Microbiol Spectr 2022; 10:e0320722. [PMID: 36287004 PMCID: PMC9769923 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.03207-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2022] [Accepted: 09/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Intestinal microbiota dysbiosis is a well established characteristic of ulcerative colitis (UC). Regulating the gut microbiota is an effective UC treatment strategy. Berberine (BBR), an alkaloid extracted from several Chinese herbs, is a common traditional Chinese medicine. To establish the efficacy and mechanism of action of BBR, we constructed a UC model using healthy adult shorthair cats to conduct a systematic study of colonic tissue pathology, inflammatory factor expression, and gut microbiota structure. We investigated the therapeutic capacity of BBR for regulating the gut microbiota and thus work against UC in cats using 16S rRNA genes amplicon sequencing technology. Our results revealed that dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced cat models of UC showed weight loss, diarrhea accompanied by mucous and blood, histological abnormalities, and shortening of the colon, all of which were significantly alleviated by supplementation with BBR. A 16S rRNA gene-based microbiota analysis demonstrated that BBR could significantly benefit gut microbiota. Western blot, quantitative PCR, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) showed that in DSS-induced cat models, the expression of the inflammatory factors was increased, activating the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway, and treatment with BBR reversed this effect. The myosin light chain (MLC) phosphorylation in the smooth muscle of the intestines is associated with motility of inflammation-related diarrhea in cats. This study used gut flora analyses to demonstrate the anti-UC effects of BBR and its potential therapeutic mechanisms and offers novel insights into the prevention of inflammatory diseases using natural products. IMPORTANCE Ulcerative colitis (UC) is common in clinics. Intestinal microbiota disorder is correlated with ulcerative colitis. Although there are many studies on ulcerative colitis in rats, there are few studies on colitis in cats. Therefore, this study explored the possibility of the use of BBR as a safe and efficient treatment for colitis in cats. The results demonstrated the therapeutic effects of BBR on UC based on the state of the intestinal flora. The study found BBR supplementation to be effective against dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis, smooth muscle damage, and gut microbiota dysbiosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xueying Li
- Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, People’s Republic of China
| | - Shuang Xu
- Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yanhe Zhang
- Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, People’s Republic of China
| | - Kan Li
- Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xue-Jiao Gao
- Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, People’s Republic of China
| | - Meng-yao Guo
- Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, People’s Republic of China
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Hua L, Liang S, Zhou Y, Wu X, Cai H, Liu Z, Ou Y, Chen Y, Chen X, Yan Y, Wu D, Sun P, Hu W, Yang Z. Artemisinin-derived artemisitene blocks ROS-mediated NLRP3 inflammasome and alleviates ulcerative colitis. Int Immunopharmacol 2022; 113:109431. [DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2022.109431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2022] [Revised: 10/23/2022] [Accepted: 11/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
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Jia X, Li Z, Guo Y, Ma H, Wang J, Xue Y, Li B, Cai Y, Yang Q. The potential mechanism of huazhuojiedu decoction in the treatment of ulcerative colitis based on network pharmacology and experimental validation. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:1033874. [PMID: 36313293 PMCID: PMC9614068 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.1033874] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2022] [Accepted: 10/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Huazhuojiedu decoction (HZJDD), a traditional Chinese medicine prescription, has been clinically proven to be an effective treatment for ulcerative colitis (UC). However, the mechanism of HZJDD in the treatment of UC remains unclear. This study combined network pharmacology with experimental validation to explore the potential mechanism of HZJDD on UC. First, the relationship network diagrams between HZJDD and UC were established based on multiple databases. Then, the HZJDD-UC intersection genes target network was constructed and Gene Ontology-Biological processes (GO-BP) analysis was performed to discover the potential pharmacological mechanism. Finally, the results of GO-BP were verified in dextran sulfate sodium salt (DSS) induced UC rats. The network pharmacology results showed that 119 active components and 146 potential targets were screened for HZJDD, and six of the top 15 biological processes belonged to inflammatory response, cellular response to hypoxia, and cellular response to lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The GO-BP results indicated that the mechanism of HZJDD treatment of UC was related to inflammation, oxidative stress, and the regulation of LPS. Animal experiments showed that HZJDD could significantly reduce the disease activity index (DAI) score, improve colon length, and effectively repair the histomorphological and micromorphological changes in DSS-induced UC rats. Moreover, HZJDD reduced the expressions of CRP, TNF-α, IL-6, LPS, IL-1β, and IL-18; downregulated the activity of MDA; and upregulated the activities of CAT, GSH, and SOD in DSS-induced UC rats. Furthermore, HZJDD suppressed the expression of the NLRP3/caspase-1 signaling pathway at the gene and protein levels to inhibit pyroptosis. Network pharmacology and animal experiments showed that HZJDD exerted a therapeutic effect on DSS-induced UC rats by reducing inflammation, oxidative stress, and restraining the NLRP3/caspase-1 signaling pathway to inhibit pyroptosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuemei Jia
- The First Affiliated Hospital, Hebei University of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang, China
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hebei Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Ze Li
- The First Affiliated Hospital, Hebei University of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang, China
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hebei Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Yuxi Guo
- The First Affiliated Hospital, Hebei University of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang, China
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hebei Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Hongyu Ma
- The First Affiliated Hospital, Hebei University of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang, China
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Hebei General Hospital, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Jie Wang
- The First Affiliated Hospital, Hebei University of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang, China
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hebei Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Yucong Xue
- The First Affiliated Hospital, Hebei University of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang, China
- School of Pharmacy, Hebei University of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Bolin Li
- The First Affiliated Hospital, Hebei University of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang, China
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hebei Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Yanru Cai
- The First Affiliated Hospital, Hebei University of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang, China
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hebei Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang, China
- *Correspondence: Yanru Cai, ; Qian Yang,
| | - Qian Yang
- The First Affiliated Hospital, Hebei University of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang, China
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hebei Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang, China
- *Correspondence: Yanru Cai, ; Qian Yang,
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NMR-Based Metabolomic Analysis of Cardiac Tissues Clarifies Molecular Mechanisms of CVB3-Induced Viral Myocarditis and Dilated Cardiomyopathy. Molecules 2022; 27:molecules27186115. [PMID: 36144851 PMCID: PMC9500976 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27186115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2022] [Revised: 09/10/2022] [Accepted: 09/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Viral myocarditis (VMC), which is defined as inflammation of the myocardium with consequent myocardial injury, may develop chronic disease eventually leading to dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). Molecular mechanisms underlying the progression from acute VMC (aVMC), to chronic VMC (cVMC) and finally to DCM, are still unclear. Here, we established mouse models of VMC and DCM with Coxsackievirus B3 infection and conducted NMR-based metabolomic analysis of aqueous metabolites extracted from cardiac tissues of three histologically classified groups including aVMC, cVMC and DCM. We showed that these three pathological groups were metabolically distinct from their normal counterparts and identified three impaired metabolic pathways shared by these pathological groups relative to normal controls, including nicotinate and nicotinamide metabolism; alanine, aspartate and glutamate metabolism; and D-glutamine and D-glutamate metabolism. We also identified two extra impaired metabolic pathways in the aVMC group, including glycine, serine and threonine metabolism; and taurine and hypotaurine metabolism Furthermore, we identified potential cardiac biomarkers for metabolically distinguishing these three pathological stages from normal controls. Our results indicate that the metabolomic analysis of cardiac tissues can provide valuable insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying the progression from acute VMC to DCM.
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