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Zhu MZ, Yang MF, Song Y, Xu HM, Xu J, Yue NN, Zhang Y, Tian CM, Shi RY, Liang YJ, Yao J, Wang LS, Nie YQ, Li DF. Exploring the efficacy of herbal medicinal products as oral therapy for inflammatory bowel disease. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 165:115266. [PMID: 37541177 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.115266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2023] [Revised: 07/30/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 08/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) encompasses a collection of idiopathic diseases characterized by chronic inflammation in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Patients diagnosed with IBD often experience necessitate long-term pharmacological interventions. Among the multitude of administration routes available for treating IBD, oral administration has gained significant popularity owing to its convenience and widespread utilization. In recent years, there has been extensive evaluation of the efficacy of orally administered herbal medicinal products and their extracts as a means of treating IBD. Consequently, substantial evidence has emerged, supporting their effectiveness in IBD treatment. This review aimed to provide a comprehensive summary of recent studies evaluating the effects of herbal medicinal products in the treatment of IBD. We delved into the regulatory role of these products in modulating immunity and maintaining the integrity of the intestinal epithelial barrier. Additionally, we examined their impact on antioxidant activity, anti-inflammatory properties, and the modulation of intestinal flora. By exploring these aspects, we aimed to emphasize the significant advantages associated with the use of oral herbal medicinal products in the treatment of IBD. Of particular note, this review introduced the concept of herbal plant-derived exosome-like nanoparticles (PDENs) as the active ingredient in herbal medicinal products for the treatment of IBD. The inclusion of PDENs offers distinct advantages, including enhanced tissue penetration and improved physical and chemical stability. These unique attributes not only demonstrate the potential of PDENs but also pave the way for the modernization of herbal medicinal products in IBD treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min-Zheng Zhu
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, the Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, Guangdong, China
| | - Mei-Feng Yang
- Department of Hematology, Yantian District People's Hospital, Shenzhen 518020, Guangdong, China
| | - Yang Song
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shenzhen People's Hospital (the Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University; the First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology), Shenzhen 518020, Guangdong, China; Shenzhen Clinical Research Centre for Geriatrics, Shenzhen People's Hospital, Shenzhen 518020, Guangdong, China
| | - Hao-Ming Xu
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, the Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, Guangdong, China
| | - Jing Xu
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, the Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, Guangdong, China
| | - Ning-Ning Yue
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shenzhen People's Hospital (the Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University), Shenzhen 518020, Guangdong, China
| | - Yuan Zhang
- Department of Medical Administration, Huizhou Institute of Occupational Diseases Control and Prevention, Huizhou 516000, Guangdong, China
| | - Cheng-Mei Tian
- Department of Emergency, Shenzhen People's Hospital (the Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University; the First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology), Shenzhen 518020, Guangdong, China
| | - Rui-Yue Shi
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shenzhen People's Hospital (the Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University; the First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology), Shenzhen 518020, Guangdong, China; Shenzhen Clinical Research Centre for Geriatrics, Shenzhen People's Hospital, Shenzhen 518020, Guangdong, China
| | - Yu-Jie Liang
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Shenzhen Kangning Hospital, Shenzhen Mental Health Center, Shenzhen 518020, Guangdong, China.
| | - Jun Yao
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shenzhen People's Hospital (the Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University; the First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology), Shenzhen 518020, Guangdong, China; Shenzhen Clinical Research Centre for Geriatrics, Shenzhen People's Hospital, Shenzhen 518020, Guangdong, China.
| | - Li-Sheng Wang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shenzhen People's Hospital (the Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University; the First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology), Shenzhen 518020, Guangdong, China; Shenzhen Clinical Research Centre for Geriatrics, Shenzhen People's Hospital, Shenzhen 518020, Guangdong, China.
| | - Yu-Qiang Nie
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, the Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, Guangdong, China.
| | - De-Feng Li
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shenzhen People's Hospital (the Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University; the First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology), Shenzhen 518020, Guangdong, China; Shenzhen Clinical Research Centre for Geriatrics, Shenzhen People's Hospital, Shenzhen 518020, Guangdong, China.
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Shi G, Kong J, Wang Y, Xuan Z, Xu F. Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch. alleviates dextran sulfate sodium-induced colitis in mice through inhibiting of NF-κB signaling pathways and modulating intestinal microbiota. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2022; 298:115640. [PMID: 36030029 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2022.115640] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2022] [Revised: 07/26/2022] [Accepted: 08/08/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Licorice is widely used in traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for compound compatibility, which could reduce toxicity and increase efficacy of certain herbal medicine, and its active components prominently effects of inhibit of inflammation and regulate of immunity. AIM OF THE STUDY The study probed into the mechanism of the anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects of licorice based on the domination of the T helper type 17/regulatory T cells (Th17/Treg) differentiation balance and the composition and structure of the intestinal flora through the nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) signaling pathway. MATERIALS AND METHODS BALB/c mice were inoculated with dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) to establish animal models of ulcerative colitis (UC). For the pharmacodynamic study, UC mice were observed for the anti-inflammatory effect of licorice water extraction (LWE) in vivo, including clinical observation and measurement of colon length. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was used to evaluate pathological conditions. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were performed to observe the intestinal barrier of the colons. Inflammatory cytokine levels were measured using with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits. The proportions of T helper (Th) cells in the colons was assessed using flow cytometry. Gut microbiota diversity was detected using 16S ribosomal (r)DNA sequencing. In addition, Western blot (WB) assays were used to verify ROR-γt, Foxp3, TLR4, MyD88 and NF-κB expression according to a standard protocol. RESULTS LWE exerted a pharmacological anti-inflammatory effect by attenuating inflammation in the colonic tissues through affecting the protein expression of TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB, and increasing the expression of tight junction (TJ) protein in the colons, improving the integrity of the intestinal mucosal barrier in vivo. Moreover, LWE reversed the imbalance in Th17/Treg cells differentiation and influenced the protein expression of ROR-γt and Foxp3 in UC mouse colons. In particular, LWE significantly affected the diversity of the gut microbiota in UC mice, ameliorated the composition of dominant species, and significantly increased the type and quantity of probiotics. CONCLUSION Licorice tends to reduce inflammation and enhance the protective action of the intestinal mucosal barrier via the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signal transduction pathway and alter the imbalance of Th-cell differentiation. Notably, licorice may affect the diversity of intestinal microbiota and the content of beneficial bacteria in the colon, which is a potential mechanism for understanding anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects in UC mice in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gaoxiang Shi
- School of Pharmacy, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, 230012, PR China; School of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, 230012, PR China.
| | - Jinrong Kong
- School of Pharmacy, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, 230012, PR China.
| | - Yunlai Wang
- School of Pharmacy, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, 230012, PR China; Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicinal Formula, Hefei, 230012, PR China.
| | - Zihua Xuan
- School of Pharmacy, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, 230012, PR China.
| | - Fan Xu
- School of Pharmacy, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, 230012, PR China; Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicinal Formula, Hefei, 230012, PR China.
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Chen J, Shen B, Jiang Z. Traditional Chinese medicine prescription Shenling BaiZhu powder to treat ulcerative colitis: Clinical evidence and potential mechanisms. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:978558. [PMID: 36160392 PMCID: PMC9494158 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.978558] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2022] [Accepted: 08/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Ulcerative colitis (UC), characterized by syndromes including abdominal pain, bloody stool, diarrhea, weight loss, and repeated relapse, is a non-specific inflammatory intestinal disease. In recent years, with the changing dietary habits in China, the incidence of UC has shown an upward trend. UC belongs to the category of recorded as “diarrhea,” “chronic dysentery,” and “hematochezia” in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), and Shenling BaiZhu powder (SLBZP) is one of the most effective and commonly used prescriptions. In this review, we aim to systematically summarize the clinical application and pharmacological mechanism of SLBZP in the treatment of UC to provide a theoretical basis for its clinical use and experimental evaluation of SLBZP. Our results showed that both SLBZP and SLBZP in combination with chemical drugs, have a significant therapeutic effect against UC with few adverse reactions. Furthermore, combined therapy was better than western medicine. Further, pathophysiological studies indicated that SLBZP has anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, antioxidant effects, regulation relative cell signal transduction and regulation of gut microbiota. Although evidence suggests superior therapeutic efficacy of SLBZP for treating UC and the relative mechanism has been studied extensively, various shortcomings limit the existing research on the topic. There is a lack of UC animal models, especially UC with TCM syndromes, with no uniform standard and certain differences between the animal model and clinical syndrome. The dosage, dosage form, and therapeutic time of SLBZP are inconsistent and lack pharmacological verification, and clinical trial data are not detailed or sufficiently rigorous. In addition, SLSZP is composed of multiple Chinese drugs that contain massive numbers of ingredients and which or several components contribute to therapeutic effects. How they work synergistically together remains unknown. Therefore, on the one hand, large sample prospective cohort studies to clarify the clinical efficacy and safety of SLBZP in the treatment of UC are needed. In contrast, researchers should strengthen the study of the molecular biological mechanism of active ingredients and its synergistic actions, clarifying the mechanism of SLBZP in treating UC by multi-component, multi-target, and multi-pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Chen
- Department of Pharmacy, Taizhou Hospital of Zhejiang Province Affiliated to Wenzhou Medical University, Lin Hai, China
| | - Bixin Shen
- Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Zhengli Jiang
- Department of Pharmacy, Taizhou Hospital of Zhejiang Province Affiliated to Wenzhou Medical University, Lin Hai, China
- *Correspondence: Zhengli Jiang,
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