Identifying the functions and biomarkers of Codonopsis pilosula and Astragalus membranaceus aqueous extracts in hepatic cells

A Systematic Review of the Phytochemical Profile and Potential Medicinal Functions of Codonopsis pilosula in Cancer

As a valuable medicine and food homology plant suitable for people of all ages, Codonopsis pilosula has been used for dietary nourishment and medicinal purposes with high acceptance for a long history. Interest in the potential anticancer functions of C. pilosula has increased due to its numerous chemical constituents with diverse structures and extensive pharmacological activities. With the growing interest, C. pilosula-based antitumor traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formulations are also considered as vital intervention strategy for cancer, which exhibit prospective antitumor potential with multiple targets, multiple signaling pathways, and less side effects in both experimental and epidemiological studies. However, the prospective molecular mechanisms and newly emerging research methods in cancer auxiliary regulation require further elaboration. Consequently, this review systematically presents the latest research progress and future prospect of C. pilosula and highlights current gaps in knowledge, which facilitate the great rejuvenation of C. pilosula for the long-term therapy use of tumor. Remarkably, with the gathering of the findings of biological evaluation, combinations with network computing approaches, such as network pharmacology, molecular docking, and quantum-chemical calculations, this review is expected to provide theoretical support and open further research perspectives on C. pilosula in biological function and potential clinical efficacy.

Therapeutic potential of Astragalus-based Eefooton in patients with chronic kidney disease: from clinical to bench study

Objective: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a global health concern, and recent clinical evidence suggests the potential of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) to slow CKD progression. This offers alternative strategies for CKD patients, mitigating risks related to polypharmacy and adverse drug reactions. Our self-controlled, prospective study aims to assess the impact of Eefooton (EFT), a TCM-based regimen, on kidney health in stage 3-5 CKD patients. Additionally, we conduct a cell culture study to explore the potential mechanisms of EFT in protecting renal function. Materials and methods: Between 2021 and 2022, 75 stage 3-5 CKD patients (56% males; mean age 68.20y) at Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital and Wu San-Chiang Medical Clinic received six months of EFT treatment alongside conventional CKD medications. The primary outcome assessed was the change in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) at 6 months, with secondary outcomes including kidney size and blood biomarker changes. Adverse events were monitored. In an in vitro study, EFT effects on HK-2 cell viability and clonogenicity, as well as analysis of apoptosis and fibrosis-related proteins through Western blot, were investigated. Results: Median eGFR significantly improved from 34.37 ± 13.58 to 42.47 ± 18.82 mL/min/1.73 m2 (p < 0.001) at month 6 post-treatment. Notably, improvements were observed across different baseline CKD stages (stage 3: p < 0.001, stage 4: p = 0.037). Ultrasonography scans indicated a slight increase in mean kidney size. In vitro, EFT enhanced HK-2 cell viability and increased clonogenicity. Indoxyl sulfate exposure raised cleaved and total PARP-1 activity. Co-treatment with EFT and IS reduced cleaved PARP-1 activity. EFT decreased IS-induced expression of fibrosis-related proteins (α-smooth muscle actin) without affecting apoptosis-related proteins (Caspase 3). Conclusions: When combined with conventional CKD medications, EFT has shown effectiveness in enhancing kidney function in individuals with stage 3-5 CKD, with no reported safety concerns. The PARP-1 inhibition and anti-fibrosis properties of EFT present potential benefits in the context of CKD.

Effect of miR-488 on Colon Cancer Biology and Clinical Applications

Objective

To explore the expression levels of miR-488, miR-29c-3p, and growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF15) in colon cancer tissue and analyze their relationship with clinicopathological features in patients with colon cancer.

Methods

The study was conducted from November 2012 to November 2020. A total of 200 patients with colon cancer were treated in our hospital during this period. During the operation, the colon cancer tissues and the adjacent tissues whose distance from the cancer tissues were more than 5 cm were collected, and the expression levels of miR-488, miR-29c-3p, and GDF15 mRNA in colon cancer tissues were detected by qRT-PCR (real-time fluorescence quantitative). The relationship between them and the clinicopathological features and prognosis of patients with colon cancer were analyzed and discussed.

Results

The level of miR-488 in colon cancer tissues was lower than that in adjacent tissues, but the levels of miR-29c-3p and GDF15 mRNA in colon cancer tissues were higher than those in adjacent tissues (P < 0.05). Compared with paracancerous tissues, the expression rates of miR-29c-3p and GDF15 protein were higher in colon cancer tissues (P < 0.05). There was no difference in age, sex, tumor location, and tumor diameter between high expression of miR-488 group and low expression of miR-488 group (P > 0.05). The degree of differentiation, depth of invasion, TNM stage, lymph node metastasis, and other factors have a direct impact on the level of miR-488 and the expression of miR-29c-3p (P < 0.05). The depth of invasion, TNM stage, and lymph node metastasis could affect the expression of GDF15 in patients with colon cancer (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

miR-488, miR-29c-3p, and GDF15 in colon cancer tissue are related to the clinicopathological features of patients in varying degrees and may become markers after early warning of colon cancer, which can provide effective guidance for clinical diagnosis and treatment.

Network Pharmacology Integrated with Transcriptomics Deciphered the Potential Mechanism of Codonopsis pilosula against Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the fourth main reason of cancer-related death. Codonopsis pilosula is a commonly used traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for patients with HCC. However, its potential mechanism for treatment of HCC remains unclear. Here, we used transcriptomics and network pharmacology to explore the potential molecular mechanisms of Codonopsis pilosula. In our study, twelve differentially expressed genes (DEGs) (5 upregulated and 7 downregulated) of Codonopsis pilosula treating HepG2 cells (a kind of HCC cell) were identified. Among the 12 DEGs, HMOX1 may play an essential role. Codonopsis pilosula mainly affects the mineral absorption pathway in HCC. We acquired 2957, 1877, and 255 targets from TCMID, SymMap, and TCMSP, respectively. Codonopsis pilosula could upregulate HMOX1 via luteolin, capsaicin, and sulforaphane. Our study provided new understanding of the potential pharmacological mechanisms of Codonopsis pilosula in treating HCC and pointed out a direction for further experimental research.

Revealing the potential mechanism of Astragalus membranaceus improving prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma by combining transcriptomics and network pharmacology

Background

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the fourth leading cause of cancer-related death. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has special advantages in relieving HCC, while Astragalus membranaceus is commonly used in TCM treatment. However, its underlying mechanisms for treatment of HCC are unclear.

Methods

Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) of Astragalus membranaceus treatment in HepG2 cells were identified, and Astragalus membranaceus-gene network was constructed. The hub genes were then obtained via protein-protein interaction (PPI) analysis. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG), Gene Ontology (GO), and Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) were subsequently performed. Furthermore, prognosis genes related to HCC from The Cancer Genome Atlas Program (TCGA) was identified to explore the correlation between Astragalus membranaceus treatment and prognosis of HCC. Finally, Astragalus membranaceus-component-target network was established through SymMap.

Results

Twenty five DEGs (15 up-regulated and 10 down-regulated) of Astragalus membranaceus treatment in HepG2 cells were identified. Among the 25 genes, MT1F, MT1G, MT1X and HMOX1 may play essential roles. Astragalus membranaceus mainly affects the Mineral absorption pathway in HCC. A total of 256 genes (p < 0.01) related to prognosis of HCC were identified, and MT1G is a common gene between prognosis genes and DEGs. Furthermore, Astragalus membranaceus may directly down-regulate MT1G through daidzein to promote ferroptosis of HCC cells and improve prognosis for HCC.

Conclusion

Our study provided new understandings of the pharmacological mechanisms by which Astragalus membranaceus improves the prognosis of HCC, and showed that the combination of transcriptomics and network pharmacology is helpful to explore mechanisms of TCM and traditional medicines from other nations.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12906-021-03425-9.

Scalable Total Synthesis of (+)- and (-)-Codonopiloneolignanin A via Ti(IV)/NHC Cooperative Control Highly Enantioselective Dimerization of Multisubstituted Cinnamaldehyde

The first gram-scale asymmetric total synthesis of (+)- and (-)-codonopiloneolignanin A has been achieved from multisubstituted cinnamaldehyde in four steps with 37% overall yield. The synthetically challenging tricyclic [5, 3, 0, 0^3,8] decane skeleton was efficiently constructed via a highly enantioselective dimerization of multisubstituted cinnamaldehyde, followed by a sequence of cascade reactions including Prins cyclization, cation mediated cyclization, and deprotection. Furthermore, the scope of NHC-catalyzed/Ti(IV)-mediated synergistic control multisubstituted cinnamaldehyde dimerization was investigated. Significantly, the bioactivity of codonopiloneolignanin A and its enantiomer, particularly scarce in nature, was tested and showed good anticancer activity.

Extraction, purification, structural characteristics and biological properties of the polysaccharides from Codonopsis pilosula: A review

Codonopsis pilosula (Franch.) Nannf., as a well-known homology plant of medicine and food, has the function of replenishing the Qi, strengthening the spleen and tonifying the lung, nourishing the blood and engendering the liquid in traditional Chinese medicine. Accumulating evidence has demonstrated that the C. pilosula polysaccharides (CPPs) are one of the major and representative pharmacologically active macromolecules and present multiple biological activities both in vitro and in vivo methods, such as immunomodulatory, antitumor, antioxidant, neuroprotective, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, anti-fatigue, hypoglycemic, anti-hypoxia, renoprotective, gastroprotective, hepatoprotective, and prebiotic. The purpose of the present review is to provide comprehensively and systematically reorganized information in the extraction and purification, structure characterization, biological activities and the underlying mechanisms of action as well as toxicities of CPPs to support their therapeutic potentials and sanitarian functions. New valuable insights for the future researches regarding CPPs were also proposed in the fields of therapeutic agents and functional foods.

Lobetyolin induces apoptosis of colon cancer cells by inhibiting glutamine metabolism

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the anti‐cancer property of Lobetyolin on colorectal cancer and explore its potential mechanism. Lobetyolin was incubated with HCT‐116 cells in the absence or presence of ASCT2 inhibitor Benser or p53 inhibitor Pifithrin‐α. The levels of glutamine, glutamic acid, α‐ketoglutarate, ATP and GSH were determined to measure the glutamine metabolism. Annexin V‐FITC/PI staining and TUNEL assay were applied to estimate the apoptotic condition. The levels of ASCT2 were examined by RT‐qPCR, Western blot and immunofluorescence staining. The expressions of cleaved‐caspase‐3, caspase‐3, cleaved‐caspase‐7, caspase‐7, cleaved‐PARP, PARP, p53, p21, bax and survivin were detected using Western blot analysis. As a result, the treatment with Lobetyolin effectively induced apoptosis and glutamine metabolism in HCT‐116 cells through ASCT2 signalling. The inhibition of ASCT2 reduced the glutamine‐related biomarkers and augmented the apoptotic process. We further found that the effect of Lobetyolin on HCT‐116 was related to the expressions of p21 and bax, and transportation of p53 to nucleus. The inhibition of p53 by Pifithrin‐α promoted the inhibitory effect of Lobetyolin on ASCT2‐mediated apoptosis. Lobetyolin also exerted anti‐cancer property in nude mice. In conclusion, the present work suggested that Lobetyolin could induce the apoptosis via the inhibition of ASCT2‐mediated glutamine metabolism, which was possibly governed by p53.

Treatment with the herbal formulation Eefooton slows the progression of chronic kidney disease: A case report

RATIONALE

Patients with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) receiving maintenance dialysis experience an overall burden of physical and emotional symptoms. However, there were limited alternative treatments to dialysis.

PATIENT CONCERNS

A 79-year-old woman with chronic kidney disease stage 5 (CKD5) and gout had refused to be on dialysis. She also had hypoglycemia, hypertension, and heart disease.

DIAGNOSES

The patient had received the ultrasonography, the renal biopsy and biochemical examinations, confirming the diagnosis of renal impairment, primary hypertension, and chronic nephritic syndrome with unspecified morphologic changes.

INTERVENTIONS

She was administered with 20 mL Eefooton (a liquid formula of herbal extracts: Astragalus membranaceus 3 g, Codonopsis pilosula 3 g, Ligustrum lucidum 3 g, Panax quinquefolius 1.3 g, and Rhodiola sacra 1.3 g) orally twice a day for 6 months in addition to her regular medications.

OUTCOMES

The patient was followed up for 3 months after the completion of the Eefooton adjuvant treatment. The patient's renal function was improved, and CKD progression was alleviated. After Eefooton treatment, the sizes of both kidneys in the patient increased by 8% while blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and serum creatinine concentrations were decreased. In addition, further reduction in BUN concentration was observed 2 months posttreatment.

LESSONS

This case demonstrated that Eefooton has potential therapeutic significance in patients with CKD5 who chose conservative treatment over dialysis.