Traditional Chinese medicine for anti-Alzheimer's disease: berberine and evodiamine from Evodia rutaecarpa

Di-caffeoylquinic acid: a potential inhibitor for amyloid-beta aggregation

Alzheimer's disease (AD) remains a challenging neurodegenerative disorder with limited therapeutic success. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), as a promising new source for AD, still requires further exploration to understand its complex components and mechanisms. Here, focused on addressing Aβ (1-40) aggregation, a hallmark of AD pathology, we employed a Thioflavin T fluorescence labeling method for screening the active molecular library of TCM which we established. Among the eight identified, 1,3-di-caffeoylquinic acid emerged as the most promising, exhibiting a robust binding affinity with a KD value of 26.7 nM. This study delves into the molecular intricacies by utilizing advanced techniques, including two-dimensional (2D) 15N-1H heteronuclear single quantum coherence nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and molecular docking simulations. These analyses revealed that 1,3-di-caffeoylquinic acid disrupts Aβ (1-40) self-aggregation by interacting with specific phenolic hydroxyl and amino acid residues, particularly at Met-35 in Aβ (1-40). Furthermore, at the cellular level, the identified compounds, especially 1,3-di-caffeoylquinic acid, demonstrated low toxicity and exhibited therapeutic potential by regulating mitochondrial membrane potential, reducing cell apoptosis, and mitigating Aβ (1-40)-induced cellular damage. This study presents a targeted exploration of catechol compounds with implications for effective interventions in AD and sheds light on the intricate molecular mechanisms underlying Aβ (1-40) aggregation disruption.

28-day repeated-dose toxicity of orally administered Jinmao Jiedu granule in Sprague-Dawley rats

Jinmao Jiedu granule is a Chinese medicine preparation consisting of Actinidia valvata Dunn, Salvia chinensis Benth, Iphigenia indica Kunth, and chicken gizzard. For many years, it has been employed in adjuvant therapy for cancer, especially liver cancer. However, the potential toxicity of the granule has not been reported. The present study aimed to assess the repeated-dose toxicity of orally administered Jinmao Jiedu granules for Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. SD rats were orally administered Jinmao Jiedu granules at doses of 2.85, 5.70, and 11.40 g/kg in a 28-day subchronic toxicity study. No adverse clinical signs associated with treatment were noted throughout the experiment. There were no treatment-related toxicity alterations in body weight, hematology, clinical biochemistry, urinalysis, necropsy, and histopathology in rats compared with the control group. The No Observed Adverse Effect Level (NOAEL) of the Jinmao Jiedu granule was higher than 11.40 g/kg/day in rats.

Therapeutic Effects of the major alkaloid constituents of Evodia rutaecarpa in Alzheimer's disease

Since the report of Alzheimer's disease (AD) in 1907, it has garnered widespread attention due to its intricate pathogenic mechanisms, significant impact on patients' lives, and the substantial burden it places on society. Presently, effective treatments for AD remain elusive. Recent pharmacological studies on the traditional East Asian herb, Evodia rutaecarpa, have revealed that the bioactive alkaloid components within it can ameliorate AD-related cognitive impairments and neurological damage through various pathways, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-acetylcholinesterase activities. Consequently, this article provides an overview of the pharmacological effects and research status of the four main alkaloid components found in Evodia concerning AD. We hope this article will serve as a valuable reference for experimental and clinical research on the use of Evodia in AD prevention and treatment.

Comprehensive Analysis of 11 Species of Euodia (Rutaceae) by Untargeted LC-IT-TOF/MS Metabolomics and In Vitro Functional Methods

The Euodia genus comprises numerous untapped medicinal plants that warrant thorough evaluation for their potential as valuable natural sources of herbal medicine or food flavorings. In this study, untargeted metabolomics and in vitro functional methods were employed to analyze fruit extracts from 11 significant species of the Euodia genus. An investigation of the distribution of metabolites (quinolone and indole quinazoline alkaloids) in these species indicated that E. rutaecarpa (Euodia rutaecarpa) was the most widely distributed species, followed by E. compacta (Euodia compacta), E. glabrifolia (Euodia glabrifolia), E. austrosinensis (Euodia austrosinensis), and E. fargesii (Euodia fargesii). There have been reports on the close correlation between indole quinazoline alkaloids and their anti-tumor activity, especially in E. rutaecarpa fruits which exhibit effectiveness against various types of cancer, such as SGC-7901, Hela, A549, and other cancer cell lines. Additionally, the E. rutaecarpa plant contains indole quinazoline alkaloids, which possess remarkable antibacterial properties. Our results offer novel insights into the utilization of Euodia resources in the pharmaceutical industry.

Effects of evodiamine on ROS/TXNIP/NLRP3 pathway against gouty arthritis

Evodiamine (EVO) was tested on acute gouty arthritis rats to investigate its anti-inflammatory effect. Seventy-two male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly assigned into the control, model, high, medium, and low dose of EVO groups and colchicine group. The ankle swelling degrees were measured at 2 h, 6 h, and 24 h following sodium urate injection into ankle joint. Histopathological examination was performed 24 h after injection. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) content in the ankle joint was detected using chemical fluorescence. Serum interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-18 (IL-18), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) content were determined by ELISA. Serum xanthine oxidase (XOD), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and malondialdehyde (MDA) were determined by spectrophotometry. The expressions of thioredoxin-interacting protein (TXNIP), NOD-like receptor thermal protein domain associated protein 3 (NLRP3), pro-caspase-1, caspase-1, and apoptosis-related spot like protein (ASC) in synovium were detected by Western blot. Evodiamine alleviated the ankle swelling of the affected foot in gouty arthritis rats and reduced inflammatory cell infiltration in joint synovial tissue. Evodiamine also decreased the content of serum inflammatory factors including IL-1β, IL-18, and TNF-α, and increased serum SOD activity, while it decreased serum XOD, MDA activity, and ROS level. Moreover, evodiamine downregulated the protein expression levels of TXNIP, NLRP3, pro-caspase-1, cleaved caspae-1, and ASC. The mechanism of EVO in treating gouty arthritis is associated with the inhibition of NLRP3 inflammasome by regulating the ROS/TXNIP/NLRP3 signaling pathway.

Screening of the Active Substances for the Assessment of Walnut Kernel in the Treatment of Scopolamine-Induced AD Animals

SCOPE

Alzheimer's disease (AD) has been a challenge and hotspot in the field of neuroscience research due to the high morbidity. As we all know, walnut kernel (WK) ingestion has been linked to benefits to brain health and has the function of improving memory. This study follows the AD model induced by scopolamine to reveal the active fractions and substances of walnut in the treatment of AD.

METHODS AND RESULTS

The histopathological analysis and brain tissue biochemistry assay are revealed the active fractions of WK, and this result determines that walnut kernel organic acids have significant therapeutic effect on AD. The strategy of studying ingredients pointed at lesions is integrated to ascertain the selected brain-targeted effective substances of WK for blood-brain barrier by ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole/electrostatic field orbitrap mass spectrometry, and a total of eight organic acids are figured out definite absorptivity in rat brains. Finally, the binding interaction between the effective substances and target proteins is analyzed by molecular docking, and the main function related active markers are ascertained as glansreginin A, glansreginic acid, ellagic acid, and ellagic acid 4-O-xyloside.

CONCLUSIONS

The comprehensive process is helpful to the clinical application of WK as a promising cholinesterase inhibitors for nutritional intervention.

Understanding mechanistic aspect of the therapeutic role of herbal agents on neuroplasticity in cerebral ischemic-reperfusion injury

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Stroke is one of the leading causes of death and disability. The only FDA-approved therapy for treating stroke is tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), exhibiting a short therapeutic window. Due to this reason, only a small number of patients can be benefitted in this critical period. In addition, the use of endovascular interventions may reverse vessel occlusion more effectively and thus help further improve outcomes in experimental stroke. During recovery of blood flow after ischemia, patients experience cognitive, behavioral, affective, emotional, and electrophysiological changes. Therefore, it became the need for an hour to discover a novel strategy for managing stroke. The drug discovery process has focused on developing herbal medicines with neuroprotective effects via modulating neuroplasticity.

AIM OF THE STUDY

We gather and highlight the most essential traditional understanding of therapeutic plants and their efficacy in cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury. In addition, we provide a concise summary and explanation of herbal drugs and their role in improving neuroplasticity. We review the pharmacological activity of polyherbal formulations produced from some of the most frequently referenced botanicals for the treatment of cerebral ischemia damage.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A systematic literature review of bentham, scopus, pubmed, medline, and embase (elsevier) databases was carried out with the help of the keywords like neuroplasticity, herbal drugs, neural progenitor cells, neuroprotection, stem cells. The review was conducted using the above keywords to understand the therapeutic and mechanistic role of herbal neuroprotective agents on neuroplasticity in cerebral ischemic-reperfusion injury.

RESULTS

Neuroplasticity emerged as an alternative to improve recovery and management after cerebral ischemic reperfusion injury. Neuroplasticity is a physiological process throughout one's life in response to any stimuli and environment. Traditional herbal medicines have been established as an adjuvant to stroke therapy since they were used from ancient times and provided promising effects as an adjuvant to experimental stroke. The plants and phytochemicals such as Curcuma longa L., Moringa oliefera Lam, Panax ginseng C.A. Mey., and Rehmannia glutinosa (Gaertn.) DC., etc., have shown promising effects in improving neuroplasticity after experimental stroke. Such effects occur by modulation of various molecular signalling pathways, including PI3K/Akt, BDNF/CREB, JAK/STAT, HIF-1α/VEGF, etc. CONCLUSIONS: Here, we gave a perspective on plant species that have shown neuroprotective effects and can show promising results in promoting neuroplasticity with specific targets after cerebral ischemic reperfusion injury. In this review, we provide the complete detail of studies conducted on the role of herbal drugs in improving neuroplasticity and the signaling pathway involved in the recovery and management of experimental stroke.

Modulation of the vitamin D receptor by traditional Chinese medicines and bioactive compounds: potential therapeutic applications in VDR-dependent diseases

The Vitamin D receptor (VDR) is a crucial nuclear receptor that plays a vital role in various physiological functions. To a larger extent, the genomic effects of VDR maintain general wellbeing, and its modulation holds implications for multiple diseases. Current evidence regarding using vitamin D or its synthetic analogs to treat non-communicable diseases is insufficient, though observational studies suggest potential benefits. Traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs) and bioactive compounds derived from natural sources have garnered increasing attention. Interestingly, TCM formulae and TCM-derived bioactive compounds have shown promise in modulating VDR activities. This review explores the intriguing potential of TCM and bioactive compounds in modulating VDR activity. We first emphasize the latest information on the genetic expression, function, and structure of VDR, providing a comprehensive understanding of this crucial receptor. Following this, we review several TCM formulae and herbs known to influence VDR alongside the mechanisms underpinning their action. Similarly, we also discuss TCM-based bioactive compounds that target VDR, offering insights into their roles and modes of action.

Effect of berberine on cognitive function and β-amyloid precursor protein in Alzheimer's disease models: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Introduction: Berberine is an isoquinoline alkaloid extracted from Berberis vulgaris, which possesses a variety of pharmacological activities. Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a complex disease with multiple pathologic factors, with cognitive decline being the main manifestation of AD. The neuroprotective effects of berberine in animal models of Alzheimer's disease (AD) have been widely reported, exhibiting protective effects against risk factors associated with AD. In this study, we summarize and evaluate the effects of berberine on cognitive function and β-amyloid precursor protein in animal models of AD. Material and methods: Eligible studies were retrieved from PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library databases up to 1 June 2023. Risk of bias was assessed by the Systematic Review Center for Laboratory Animal Experiments (SYRCLE). Statistical analyses were performed using STATA 14.0 and Review Manger 5.4 software to calculate weighted standardized mean difference (SMD) and 95% confidence intervals (CI), Morris water maze (MWM) test and β-amyloid precursor protein as outcome measures. Heterogeneity was tested using the I2 test. Sensitivity analysis and publication bias were also assessed. Results: 19 studies involving 360 animals met the inclusion criteria, and the results of the meta-analysis showed that berberine decreased escape latency (SMD = -2.19, 95% CI: (-2.50, -1.88), p < 0.00001), increased the number of platform crossings (SMD = 4.27, 95% CI (3.38, 5.17), p < 0.00001), time in the target quadrant (SMD = 5.92, 95% CI (4.43, 7.41), p < 0.00001) and APP expression (SMD = 0.73, 95% CI: (0.25, 1.21), p = 0.003). Conclusion: Berberine can regulate APP expression and improve cognitive function in animal models of AD, and the mechanism may be related to the involvement of berberine in APP processing and influence the expression of its related factors. Systematic review registration: PROSPERO, CRD42023437445.

13C NMR-based dereplication using MixONat software to decipher potent anti-cholinesterase compounds in Mesua lepidota bark

A bio-assay guided fractionation strategy based on cholinesterase assay combined with 13C NMR-based dereplication was used to identify active metabolites from the bark of Mesua lepidota. Eight compounds were identified with the aid of the 13C NMR-based dereplication software, MixONat, i.e., sitosterol (1), stigmasterol (2), α-amyrin (3), friedelin (6), 3β-friedelinol (7), betulinic acid (9), lepidotol A (10) and lepidotol B (11). Further bio-assay guided isolation of active compounds afforded one xanthone, pyranojacareubin (12) and six coumarins; lepidotol A (10), lepidotol B (11), lepidotol E (13), lepidotin A (14), and lepidotin B (15), including a new Mammea coumarin, lepidotin C (16). All the metabolites showed strong to moderate butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) inhibition. Lepidotin B (15) exhibited the most potent inhibition towards BChE with a mix-mode inhibition profile and a Ki value of 1.03 µM. Molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations have revealed that lepidotin B (15) forms stable interactions with key residues within five critical regions of BChE. These regions encompass residues Asp70 and Tyr332, the acyl hydrophobic pocket marked by Leu286, the catalytic triad represented by Ser198 and His438, the oxyanion hole (OH) constituted by Gly116 and Gly117, and the choline binding site featuring Trp82. To gauge the binding strength of lepidotin B (15) and to pinpoint pivotal residues at the binding interface, free energy calculations were conducted using the Molecular Mechanics Generalized Born Surface Area (MM-GBSA) approach. This analysis not only predicted a favourable binding affinity for lepidotin B (15) but also facilitated the identification of significant residues crucial for the binding interaction.

Banxia Xiexin Decoction Alleviated Cerebral Glucose Metabolism Disorder by Regulating Intestinal Microbiota in APP/PS1 Mice

OBJECTIVE

To identify whether Banxia Xiexin Decoction (BXD) alleviates cerebral glucose metabolism disorder by intestinal microbiota regulation in APP/PS1 mice.

METHODS

Forty-five 3-month-old male APP/PS1 mice were divided into 3 groups using a random number table (n=15 per group), including a model group (MG), a liraglutide group (LG) and a BXD group (BG). Fifteen 3-month-old male C57BL/6J wild-type mice were used as the control group (CG). Mice in the BG were administered BXD granules by gavage at a dose of 6 g/(kg•d) for 3 months, while mice in the LG were injected intraperitoneally once daily with Liraglutide Injection (25 nmol/kg) for 3 months. Firstly, liquid chromatography with tandem-mass spectrometry was used to analyze the active components of BXD granules and the medicated serum of BXD. Then, the cognitive deficits, Aβ pathological change and synaptic plasticity markers, including synaptophysin (SYP) and postsynaptic density protein 95 (PSD95), were measured in APP/PS1 mice. Brain glucose uptake was detected by micropositron emission tomography. Intestinal microbial constituents were detected by 16S rRNA sequencing. The levels of intestinal glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) and cerebral GLP-1 receptor (GLP-1R), as well as the phosphoinositide-3-kinase/protein kinase B/glycogen synthase kinase-3β (PI3K/Akt/GSK3β) insulin signaling pathway were determined by immunohistochemical (IHC) staining and Western blot analysis, respectively.

RESULTS

BXD ameliorated cognitive deficits and Aβ pathological features (P<0.01). The expressions of SYP and PSD95 in the BG were higher than those in the MG (P<0.01). Brain glucose uptake in the BG was higher than that in the MG (P<0.01). The intestinal microbial composition in the BG was partially reversed. The levels of intestinal GLP-1 in the BG were higher than those in the MG (P<0.01). Compared with the MG, the expression levels of hippocampal GLP-1R, Akt, PI3K and p-PI3K in the BG were significantly increased (P<0.01), while the levels of GSK3β were reduced (P<0.01).

CONCLUSION

BXD exhibited protective effects against Alzheimer's disease by regulating the gut microbiota/GLP-1/GLP-1R, enhancing PI3K/Akt/GSK3β insulin signaling pathway, and improving brain glucose metabolism.

The study of therapeutic efficacy and mechanisms of Schisandra chinensis and Evodia rutaecarpa combined treatment in a rat model of Alzheimer's disease

Schisandra chinensis and Evodia rutaecarpa are traditional Chinese herbs used to treat neurodegenerative diseases. This study investigates the combined effects of SC and ER on learning and memory in an Alzheimer's disease rat model and their underlying mechanisms.

Methods

High-performance liquid chromatography was employed to analyze the primary active constituents of Schisandra and Evodia. The effects of the combined treatment of Schisandra and Evodia on learning and memory in an Alzheimer's disease rat model were evaluated through Morris water maze and Hematoxylin-Eosin staining experiments. Immunohistochemical analysis was conducted to investigate the impact of S-E on Aβ1-42 and P-tau proteins. Western blotting and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction were utilized to quantify the expression of pivotal proteins and genes within the BDNF/TRKB/CREB and GSK-3β/Tau pathways.

Results

The treatment group exhibited significant neuroprotective effects, ameliorating learning and memory impairments in the Alzheimer's disease rat model. The treatment regimen modulated the activity of the BDNF/TRKB/CREB and GSK-3β/Tau pathways by influencing the expression of relevant genes, thereby reducing the generation of Aβ1-42 and P-Tau proteins and inhibiting the deposition of senile plaques. Furthermore, among the three treatment groups, the combined treatment demonstrated notably superior therapeutic effects on Alzheimer's disease compared to the single-drug treatment groups.

Nanoparticles loaded with natural medicines for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that disrupts cognitive function and severely affects the quality of life. Existing drugs only improve cognitive function and provide temporary relief of symptoms but do not stop or delay disease progression. Recently, natural medicines, especially Chinese herbal medicines, have gained attention in the treatment of AD due to their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective effects. However, conventional oral dosage forms lack brain specificity and have side effects that lead to poor patient compliance. Utilizing nanomedicine is a promising approach to improve brain specificity, bioavailability, and patient compliance. This review evaluates recent advances in the treatment of AD with nanoparticles containing various natural medicines. This review highlights that nanoparticles containing natural medicines are a promising strategy for the treatment of AD. It is believed that this technology can be translated into the clinic, thereby providing opportunities for AD patients to participate in social activities.

Triptolide improves Alzheimer's disease by regulating the NF‑κB signaling pathway through the lncRNA NEAT1/microRNA 361‑3p/TRAF2 axis

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common type of dementia and is a serious social and medical problem threatening human health. The present study investigated the effect and underlying action mechanism of triptolide (Tri) on AD progression. Reverse transcription-quantitative PCR and western blotting analysis were used to determine the changes in RNA expression and levels of NF-κB signaling pathway proteins before and after lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induction. Nucleocytoplasmic separation experiments determined the intracellular localization of long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) nuclear paraspeckle assembly transcript 1 (NEAT1). A dual-luciferase assay was used to analyze the binding between NEAT1 and microRNA (miRNA/miR)-361 or tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 2 (TRAF2) and miR-361-3p and RNA pull-down was used to analyze the binding between NEAT1 and miR-361-3p. Cell Counting Kit-8, flow cytometry and ELISA were used to detect the effects of interaction between Tri and NEAT1/miR-361-3p/TRAF2 on cell viability, apoptosis and inflammatory factor levels, respectively. The results showed that LPS-mediated human microglial clone 3 cell line (HMC3) viability decreased and apoptosis and inflammatory factors (IL-1β, IL-6, IL-18 and TNF-α) increased. Tri inhibited LPS-mediated effects in a dose-dependent manner by downregulating NEAT1 expression. NEAT1 is highly expressed in the cytoplasm and reduces the transcription and translation of downstream TRAF2 by acting as a competitive endogenous RNA that adsorbs miR-361-3p. LPS-mediated HMC3 cell injury, inflammation and activation of NF-κB signaling were partially reversed in presence of Tri. The miR-361-3p mimic promoted the Tri effect and overexpression of (ov)-NEAT1 partially reversed the Tri-miR-361-3p combined effect. The effects of ov-NEAT1 were partially attenuated by small interfering (si)-TRAF2. Overall, Tri inhibited the LPS-induced decrease in viability, increase in apoptosis and inflammation and activation of NF-κB signaling in HMC3 cells. Tri regulation affected the NEAT1/miR-361-3p/TRAF2 axis. These findings suggested a potential therapeutic role for Tri in the clinical management of AD by modulating this molecular axis.

Exploring the efficient natural products for Alzheimer's disease therapy via Drosophila melanogaster (fruit fly) models

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a grievous neurodegenerative disorder and a major form of senile dementia, which is partially caused by abnormal amyloid-beta peptide deposition and Tau protein phosphorylation. But until now, the exact pathogenesis of AD and its treatment strategy still need to investigate. Fortunately, natural products have shown potential as therapeutic agents for treating symptoms of AD due to their neuroprotective activity. To identify the excellent lead compounds for AD control from natural products of herbal medicines, as well as, detect their modes of action, suitable animal models are required. Drosophila melanogaster (fruit fly) is an important model for studying genetic and cellular biological pathways in complex biological processes. Various Drosophila AD models were broadly used for AD research, especially for the discovery of neuroprotective natural products. This review focused on the research progress of natural products in AD disease based on the fruit fly AD model, which provides a reference for using the invertebrate model in developing novel anti-AD drugs.

Elucidation of Pharmacological Mechanism Underlying the Anti-Alzheimer's Disease Effects of Evodia rutaecarpa and Discovery of Novel Lead Molecules: An In Silico Study

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a brain disease with a peculiarity of multiformity and an insidious onset. Multiple-target drugs, especially Chinese traditional medicine, have achieved a measure of success in AD treatment. Evodia rutaecarpa (Juss.) Benth. (Wuzhuyu, WZY, i.e., E. rutaecarpa), a traditional Chinese herb, has been identified as an effective drug to cure migraines. To our surprise, our in silico study showed that rather than migraines, Alzheimer's disease was the primary disease to which the E. rutaecarpa active compounds were targeted. Correspondingly, a behavioral experiment showed that E. rutaecarpa extract could improve impairments in learning and memory in AD model mice. However, the mechanism underlying the way that E. rutaecarpa compounds target AD is still not clear. For this purpose, we employed methods of pharmacology networking and molecular docking to explore this mechanism. We found that E. rutaecarpa showed significant AD-targeting characteristics, and alkaloids of E. rutaecarpa played the main role in binding to the key nodes of AD. Our research detected that E. rutaecarpa affects the pathologic development of AD through the serotonergic synapse signaling pathway (SLC6A4), hormones (PTGS2, ESR1, AR), anti-neuroinflammation (SRC, TNF, NOS3), transcription regulation (NR3C1), and molecular chaperones (HSP90AA1), especially in the key nodes of PTGS2, AR, SLCA64, and SRC. Graveoline, 5-methoxy-N, N-dimethyltryptamine, dehydroevodiamine, and goshuyuamide II in E. rutaecarpa show stronger binding affinities to these key proteins than currently known preclinical and clinical drugs, showing a great potential to be developed as lead molecules for treating AD.

Chemical components and monoamine oxidase B inhibition activities from the tubers of Sauromatum giganteum (Engl.) Cusimano & Hett

The rhizome tuber of Sauromatum giganteum is known as 'Bai Fuzi' in China and has been ethnomedicinally used to treat various neurological diseases. It is considered to possess anti-Parkinson's disease (PD) potential, but the active compounds responsible for that is still unclear. In this work, nineteen compounds were isolated and identified from rhizome tuber of this plant, among which four were firstly reported, i.e. berberine (1), nicotinamide (2), rutin (3) and 5-caffeoylquinic acid (4). Six compounds (1, 3, 4, 8, 14 and 15) exhibited moderate inhibitory activity against MAO-B with IC50 of 118.8, 45.6, 96.2, 65.8, 40.0, and 49.8 µM, and two compounds (3 and 4) displayed significant protective effect on 6-OHDA-induced PC-12 cell model. The molecular docking of the bioactive compounds and MAO-B was carried out to explore the binding mode. The findings revealed the potential of S. giganteum as anti-PD herb and its inclusion in TCM could be explored.

Potential active compounds and common mechanisms of Evodia rutaecarpa for Alzheimer's disease comorbid pain by network pharmacology analysis

Evodia rutaecarpa (Evodia) is a Chinese herbal medicine with analgesic and anti-neurodegenerative properties. However, whether Evodia compounds can be applied for the comorbid pain of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Herein, 137 common targets of Evodia between AD and pain were predicted from drug and disease target databases. Subsequently, protein-protein interaction (PPI) network, protein function module construction, and bioinformatics analyses were used to analyze the potential relationship among targets, pathways, and diseases. Evodia could simultaneously treat AD comorbid pain through multi-target, multi-component, and multi-pathway mechanisms, and inflammation was an important common phenotype of AD and pain. The relationship between important transcription factors such as RELA, NF-κB1, SP1, STAT3, and JUN on IL-17, TNF, and MAPK signaling pathways might be potential mechanisms of Evodia. Additionally, 10 candidate compounds were predicted, and evodiamine might be the effective active ingredient of Evodia in treating AD or pain. In summary, this study provided a reference for subsequent research and a novel understanding and direction for the clinical use of evodiamine to treat AD patients with comorbid pain.

Mapping Research Trends and Hotspots in the Link between Alzheimer's Disease and Gut Microbes over the Past Decade: A Bibliometric Analysis

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a globally prevalent neurodegenerative disorder, the underlying causes and mechanisms of which remain elusive. The emerging interest in the potential connection between gut microbes and AD prompted our study to investigate this field through bibliometric analysis. To examine research trends over the past decade, we collected relevant data using search terms associated with gut microbiota and AD from the Web of Science Core Collection. Our analysis involved various tools, including R (version 4.2.2), VOSviewer (version 1.6.18), CiteSpace software (version 6.2.R1), and an online bibliometric platform. Our findings identified a total of 1170 articles published between 2012 and 2022, indicating a consistent growth of research interest in this area. Notably, China significantly contributed with 40.7% (374) of the publications, signifying its prominent role in this field. Among the journals, the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease published the highest number of articles (57; 4.9%). In terms of author influence, Wang Y, with an H-index of 13, emerged as the most influential author. Additionally, Shanghai Jiaotong University was the most productive institution, accounting for 66 articles (5.6%). Through keyword analysis, we grouped high-frequency keywords into six clusters: gut microbiota, AD, neuroinflammation, gut-brain axis, oxidative stress, and chain fatty acids. Chain fatty acids, oxidative stress, and the gut-brain axis emerged as dominant research topics in the past five years. Recent studies have specifically focused on "nlrp3 inflammasome" and "clearance" (2020-2022), indicating shifting research interests within this field. This bibliometric analysis aims to provide insights into the evolving landscape of research on the gut microbiota and AD. Our results identify key research trends and themes while highlighting potential research gaps. The findings offer valuable perspectives for future investigations, advancing our understanding of AD and exploring potential therapeutic strategies.

Discovery and Structural Optimization of 1,2,3,4-Tetrahydro-β-carbolines as Novel Reactive Oxygen Species Inducers for Controlling Intractable Plant Bacterial Diseases

Nowadays, reactive oxygen species (ROS) have been acknowledged as promising bactericidal targets against pesticide-resistant bacteria. Herein, to further excavate more excellent ROS inducers, simple 1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-β-carboline derivatives containing a 3-aminopropanamide moiety were prepared and assessed for their antibacterial potency. Notably, three promising compounds displayed significant antibacterial potency. Compound I₂₉ exhibits excellent in vitro bioactivity, with an EC₅₀ value of 5.73 μg/mL, and admirable in vivo activities (protective activity of 55.74% and curative activity of 65.50%) toward Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae. Compound I₁₆ has good activity in vitro, with an EC₅₀ of 3.43 μg/mL, and outstanding bioactivities in vivo (protective activity of 92.50% and curative activity of 59.68%) against Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. citri. Compound I₆ shows excellent in vitro bioactivity (EC₅₀ = 2.86 μg/mL) and significant protective activity (94.02%) for preventing Pseudomonas syringae pv. actinidiae. Antibacterial mechanism investigations indicate that these compounds disrupt the balance of the redox system to kill bacteria. These simple 1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-β-carboline derivatives are promising leads to the discovery of bactericidal agents.

Mapping new pharmacological interventions for cognitive function in Alzheimer's disease: a systematic review of randomized clinical trials

Background and Objective: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder, that is, characterized by cognitive decline. To date, there are no effective treatments for AD. Therefore, the objective of this study was to map new perspectives on the effects of pharmacological treatment on cognitive function and the overall psychological state in patients with AD. Methods: Two independent researchers searched for randomized clinical trials (RCTs) exploring new pharmacological approaches related to cognition in Alzheimer's disease in adults from 2018 to 2023 in PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Cochrane Library databases. A total of 17 RCTs were included in this review. Results: The results show that in recent years, new drugs have been tested in patients with Alzheimer's disease, including masitinib, methylphenidate, levetiracetam, Jiannao Yizhi, and Huannao Yicong formulas. Most studies have been conducted in populations with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease. Conclusion: Although some of the drugs found suggested improvement in cognitive function, the scarcity of available studies highlights the need for further research in this area. Systematic review registration: [www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero], identifier [CRD42023409986].

Natural product evodiamine-inspired medicinal chemistry: Anticancer activity, structural optimization and structure-activity relationship

It is a well-known phenomenon that natural products can serve as powerful drug leads to generate new molecular entities with novel therapeutic utility. Evodiamine (Evo), a major alkaloid component in traditional Chinese medicine Evodiae Fructus, is considered a desirable lead scaffold as its multifunctional pharmacological properties. Although natural Evo has suboptimal biological activity, poor pharmacokinetics, low water solubility, and chemical instability, medicinal chemists have succeeded in producing synthetic analogs that overshadow the deficiency of Evo in terms of further clinical application. Recently, several reviews on the synthesis, structural modification, mechanism pharmacological actions, structure-activity relationship (SAR) of Evo have been published, while few reviews that incorporates intensive structural basis and extensive SAR are reported. The purpose of this article is to review the structural basis, anti-cancer activities, and mechanisms of Evo and its derivatives. Emphasis will be placed on the optimizing strategies to improve the anticancer activities, such as structural modifications, pharmacophore combination and drug delivery systems. The current review would benefit further structural modifications of Evo to discover novel anticancer drugs.

Effects of Qi-Fu-Yin on aging of APP/PS1 transgenic mice by regulating the intestinal microbiome

Introduction

Alzheimer's disease is the most common form of dementia and closely related to aging. Qi-Fu-Yin is widely used to treat dementia, but its anti-aging effects is unknown.

Methods

We used 11-month-old APP/PS1 transgenic mice for behavioral tests to observe the changes in cognitive function and age-related symptoms after Qi-Fu-Yin treatment. Fecal samples were collected for 16sRNA sequencing and metagenomic sequencing. Differences among the groups of intestinal microbiota and the associations with aging and intestinal microbiota were analyzed based on the results.

Results

Here we found that Qi-Fu-Yin improved the ability of motor coordination, raised survival rate and prolonged the survival days under cold stress stimulation in aged APP/ PS1 transgenic mice. Our data from 16sRNA and metagenomic sequencing showed that at the Family level, the intestinal microbiota was significantly different among wild-type mice, APP/PS1 transgenic mice and the Qi-Fu-Yin group by PCA analysis. Importantly, Qi-Fu-Yin improved the functional diversity of the major KEGG pathways, carbohydrate-active enzymes, and major virulence factors in the intestinal flora of APP/PS1 transgenic mice. Among them, the functions of eight carbohydrate-active enzymes (GT2_Glycos_transf_2, GT4, GT41, GH2, CE1, CE10, CE3, and GH24) and the functions of top three virulence factors (defensive virulence factors, offensive virulence factors and nonspecific virulence factors) were significantly and positively correlated with the level of grasping ability. We further indicated that the Qi-Fu-Yin significantly reduced the plasma levels of IL-6.

Conclusion

Our results indicated that the effects of Qi-Fu-Yin anti-aging of APP/PS1 transgenic mice might be through the regulation of intestinal flora diversity, species richness and the function of major active enzymes.

Discovery of an evodiamine derivative for PI3K/AKT/GSK3β pathway activation and AD pathology improvement in mouse models

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by progressive neurodegeneration and cognitive decline. Evodiamine, a main component in Chinese medicine, was found to improve cognitive impairment in AD model mice based on several intensive studies. However, evodiamine has high cytotoxicity and poor bioactivity. In this study, several evodiamine derivatives were synthesized via heterocyclic substitution and amide introduction and screened for cytotoxicity and antioxidant capacity. Under the same concentrations, compound 4c was found to exhibit lower cytotoxicity and higher activity against H₂O₂ and amyloid β oligomers (AβOs) than evodiamine in vitro and significantly improve the working memory and spatial memory of 3 x Tg and APP/PS1 AD mice. Subsequent RNA sequencing and pathway enrichment analysis showed that 4c affected AD-related genes and the AMPK and insulin signaling pathways. Furthermore, we confirmed that 4c recovered PI3K/AKT/GSK3β/Tau dysfunction in vivo and in vitro. In conclusion, 4c represents a potential lead compound for AD therapy based on the recovery of PI3K/AKT/GSK3β pathway dysfunction.

Qualitative and quantitative analysis of the bioactive components of "ginseng-polygala" drug pair against PC12 cell injury based on UHPLC-QTOF-MS and HPLC

Aβ_25-35-induced PC12 cells were used as the in vitro injury model to evaluate the effects on PC12 cells after intervention with the "ginseng-polygala" drug pair. The results showed that the drug pair could significantly increase cell activity and reduce the level of reactive oxygen species and the concentration of inflammatory factors to improve the Alzheimer's disease treatment process. Furthermore, to rapidly identify and classify complicated bioactive components of the drug pair, a liquid chromatography with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry method combined with a molecular network strategy was established. With this strategy, 40 constituents were preliminarily identified and a database of the compounds was successfully established. Among them, 12 compounds of different categories were accurately identified by comparison with reference substances. The content of the aforementioned active components was simultaneously determined by HPLC to control the quality of compatible medicinal materials, and the verification results of the analytical method met the content determination requirements. The results revealed that after compatibility, the content change of the components is not the simple addition of quantity but the comprehensive effect of the two medicines. In conclusion, this study could provide a generally applicable strategy for pharmacological activity, structural identification, and content determination in traditional Chinese medicine and its compatibility.

Therapeutic Mechanism of Kai Xin San on Alzheimer’s Disease Based on Network Pharmacology and Experimental Validation

OBJECTIVE

To explore the specific pharmacological molecular mechanisms of Kai Xin San (KXS) on treating Alzheimer's disease (AD) based on network pharmacology and experimental validation.

METHODS

The chemical compounds of KXS and their corresponding targets were screened using the Encyclopedia of Traditional Chinese Medicine (ETCM) database. AD-related target proteins were obtained from MalaCards database and DisGeNET databases. Key compounds and targets were identified from the compound-target-disease network and protein-protein interaction (PPI) network analysis. Functional enrichment analysis predicted the potential key signaling pathways involved in the treatment of AD with KXS. The binding affinities between key ingredients and targets were further verified using molecular docking. Finally, the predicted key signaling pathway was validated experimentally. Positioning navigation and space search experiments were conducted to evaluate the cognitive improvement effect of KXS on AD rats. Western blot was used to further examine and investigate the expression of the key target proteins related to the predicted pathway.

RESULTS

In total, 38 active compounds and 469 corresponding targets of KXS were screened, and 264 target proteins associated with AD were identified. The compound-target-disease and PPI networks identified key active ingredients and protein targets. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis suggested a potential effect of KXS in the treatment of AD via the amyloid beta (A β)-glycogen synthase kinase-3 beta (GSK3 β)-Tau pathway. Molecular docking revealed a high binding affinity between the key ingredients and targets. In vivo, KXS treatment significantly improved cognitive deficits in AD rats induced by Aβ_1-42, decreased the levels of Aβ, p-GSK3β, p-Tau and cyclin-dependent kinase 5, and increased the expressions of protein phosphatase 1 alpha (PP1A) and PP2A (P<0.05 or P<0.01).

CONCLUSION

KXS exerted neuroprotective effects by regulating the Aβ -GSK3β-Tau signaling pathway, which provides novel insights into the therapeutic mechanism of KXS and a feasible pharmacological strategy for the treatment of AD.

East Wind, West Wind: Toward the modernization of traditional Chinese medicine

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has used herbal remedies for more than 2,000 years. The use of complimentary therapies has increased dramatically during the last years, especially in the West, and the incorporation and modernization of TCM in current medical practice is gaining momentum. We reflect on the main bottlenecks in the modernization of arcane Chinese herbal medicine: lack of standardization, safety concerns and poor quality of clinical trials, as well as the ways these are being overcome. Progress in these areas will facilitate the implementation of an efficacy approach, in which only successful clinical trials lead to the molecular characterization of active compounds and their mechanism of action. Traditional pharmacological methodologies will produce novel leads and drugs, and we describe TCM successes such as the discovery of artemisinin as well as many others still in the pipeline. Neurodegenerative diseases, such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease, cancer and cardiovascular disease are the main cause of mortality in the Western world and, with an increasing old population in South East Asia, this trend will also increase in the Far East. TCM has been used for long time for treating these diseases in China and other East Asian countries. However, the holistic nature of TCM requires a paradigm shift. By changing our way of thinking, from "one-target, one-drug" to "network-target, multiple-component-therapeutics," network pharmacology, together with other system biology methodologies, will pave the way toward TCM modernization.

Mechanism of interventional effect and targets of Zhuyu pill in regulating and suppressing colitis and cholestasis

Zhuyu pill (ZYP) is a traditional Chinese medicine prescription composed of two drugs, Coptis chinensis Franch. and Tetradium ruticarpum (A. Jussieu) T. G. Hartley, and is commonly used in the clinical treatment of diseases of the digestive system. However, the mechanism underlying the effect of ZYP on colitis remains unclear. In this study, a colitis rat model was induced with 2,4,6-trinitro-benzenesulfonic acid (TNBS, 100 mg/kg) and treated with ZYP (low dose: 0.6 g/kg, high dose: 1.2 g/kg). Disease activity index, colonic weight index, and weight change ratio were used to evaluate the model and efficacy. LC-MS and 16S rRNA gene sequencing were used to measure differences in fecal metabolism and microorganism population among the control, model, low-dose ZYP, and high-dose ZYP groups. To elucidate the mechanism of interventional effect of ZYP, Spearman correlation analysis was used to analyze the correlation between fecal metabolism and fecal microbial number. High-dose and low-dose ZYP both exhibited significant interventional effects on colitis rat models, and high-dose ZYP produced a better interventional effect compared with low-dose ZYP. Based on a metabolomics test of fecal samples, significantly altered metabolites in the model and high-dose ZYP treatment groups were identified. In total, 492 metabolites were differentially expressed. Additionally, sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene in fecal samples revealed that the high-dose ZYP could improve TNBS-induced fecal microbiota dysbiosis. Ultimately, changes in tryptophan metabolism and Firmicutes and Gammaproteobacteria populations were detected after ZYP treatment in both colitis and cholestasis. Therefore, we conclude that tryptophan metabolism and Firmicutes and Gammaproteobacteria populations are the core targets of the anti-inflammatory effect of ZYP. These findings provide a scientific basis for further investigation of the anti-inflammatory mechanism of ZYP in the future.

Integrated comparative metabolomics and network pharmacology approach to uncover the key active ingredients of Polygonati rhizoma and their therapeutic potential for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) has become a worldwide disease affecting human health and resulting in a heavy economic burden on the healthcare system. Polygonati rhizoma (PR), a kind of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), is known to improve learning and memory abilities. However, its AD-treating material basis and therapeutic potential for the treatment of AD have remained unclear. Therefore, the present study aimed to uncover the key active ingredients of PR and its therapeutic potential for the treatment of AD. First, we used comparative metabolomics to identify the potential key active ingredients in the edible and medicinal PR. Second, network pharmacology was used to decipher the effects and potential targets of key active ingredients in the PR for the treatment of AD, and molecular docking was further used to identify the binding ability of those active ingredients with AD-related target of AChE. The rate of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibition, oxidative stress, neuroprotective effects, and anti-inflammatory activity were assessed in vitro to screen the potential active ingredients in the PR with therapeutic potential against AD. Finally, APPswe/PS1dE9 AD mice were used to screen the therapeutic components in the PR. Seven overlapping upregulated differential metabolites were identified as the key active ingredients, among which cafestol, isorhamnetin, and rutin have AChE inhibitory activity, anti-inflammatory activity, and neuroprotective effects in vitro validation assays. Furthermore, in vivo results showed that cafestol, isorhamnetin, and rutin displayed several beneficial effects in AD transgenic mice by reducing the number of Aβ-positive spots and the levels of inflammatory cytokines, inhibiting the AChE activity, and increasing the antioxidant levels. Each compound is involved in a different function in the early stages of AD. In conclusion, our results corroborate the current understanding of the therapeutic effects of PR on AD. In addition, our work demonstrated that the proposed network pharmacology-integrated comparative metabolomics strategy is a powerful way of identifying key active ingredients and mechanisms contributing to the pharmacological effects of TCM.

Pharmacotherapy of Alzheimer's disease: an overview of systematic reviews

BACKGROUND

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease and the most common cause of dementia. In this umbrella systematic review (SR), we summarized the efficacy of different pharmacological interventions in improving cognitive function in patients with AD.

METHODS

A systematic search was performed through the PubMed, Scopus, Embase, and Cochrane databases for SRs of studies assessing the efficacy of pharmacological interventions versus placebo in improving cognitive function in AD or mild cognitive impairment due to AD. The risk of bias (RoB) was assessed using the Risk of Bias in SRs (ROBIS) tool.

RESULTS

Out of 1748 articles found through the database survey, 33 SR articles were included. These studies assessed effects of immunotherapy, cholinesterase inhibitors (ChEIs), memantine, statins, lithium, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), antidiabetic agents, Cerebrolysin, RAS-targeting antihypertensive drugs (ARBs and ACEIs), psychostimulants, glycogen synthase kinase 3 (GSK-3) inhibitors, melatonin, and herbal medications on cognitive function in AD patients. There was no notable overall RoB in 18 studies (54.5%), the RoB in 14 studies (42.4%) was high, and in one study (3.0%) it was unclear.

CONCLUSIONS

The use of ChEIs, including rivastigmine, galantamine, and donepezil, as well as memantine has demonstrated a positive impact on improving cognitive outcomes of AD patients, but no considerable effects were found for immunotherapies. Melatonin, statins, antihypertensive drugs, antidiabetic agents, Cerebrolysin, psychostimulants, and some herbal drugs such as Danggui-Shaoyao-San and Ginkgo biloba seem to be effective in improving cognitive function of AD patients, but the evidence in this regard is limited.

Update on new trend and progress of the mechanism of polysaccharides in the intervention of Alzheimer's disease, based on the new understanding of relevant theories: A review

Alzheimer's disease (AD), a neurodegenerative disease with insidious onset and progressive progression, is the main type of dementia. Currently, there is no specific cure for the disease. At the same time, a series of drug developments based on the classic theory, the Aβ cascade hypothesis, have not completed phase III clinical trials, challenging the hypothesis. Polysaccharides obtained from natural products can be used in the treatment of AD, which has attracted academic attention due to its advantages of multi-target, multi-channel, no or modest side effects. The TCM syndrome type of AD is mainly "qi and blood deficiency, kidney essence deficiency", and the medicine is mainly used to replenish qi and blood, kidney and bone marrow. Thus, there has been extensive and in-depth research on polysaccharides obtained from tonic Chinese herbal medicine in China. Based on this background, this paper evaluated the effects and mechanisms of natural polysaccharides on AD by combing and screening English and related literature in recent 5 years and summarized the extraction process and structure-activity relationship of polysaccharides.

The Role of a Pathological Interaction between β-amyloid and Mitochondria in the Occurrence and Development of Alzheimer's Disease

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is one of the most common neurodegenerative diseases in existence. It is characterized by an impaired cognitive function that is due to a progressive loss of neurons in the brain. Extracellular β-amyloid (Aβ) plaques are the main pathological features of the disease. In addition to abnormal protein aggregation, increased mitochondrial fragmentation, altered expression of the genes involved in mitochondrial biogenesis, disruptions in the ER-mitochondria interaction, and mitophagy are observed. Reactive oxygen species are known to affect Aβ expression and aggregation. In turn, oligomeric and aggregated Aβ cause mitochondrial disorders. In this review, we summarize available knowledge about the pathological effects of Aβ on mitochondria and the potential molecular targets associated with proteinopathy and mitochondrial dysfunction for the pharmacological treatment of Alzheimer's disease.

Lingguizhugan decoction protects PC12 cells against Aβ25-35-induced oxidative stress and neuroinflammation by modulating NF-κB/MAPK signaling pathways

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is recognized as one of the most prevalent neurodegenerative diseases. Lingguizhugan decoction (LGZGD) is a classical traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Many studies have shown that LGZGD can alleviate the symptoms of AD.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The aim of this study was to assess the neuroprotective effects of LGZGD and elucidate its molecular mechanism on Aβ_25-35-induced PC12 cells.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

PC12 cells were used MTT assays, ELISA, fluorescence probe analyses, Hoechst 33342 staining, immunofluorescent staining and western blot analyses were systematically conducted to evaluate the underlying mechanisms of LGZGD.

RESULTS

In Aβ_25-35-induced PC12 cells, LGZGD remarkably increased cell viability, reduced the generation of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, MDA and ROS, increased the activity of GSH-Px, inhibited cell apoptosis, downregulated the expression of Bax and cleaved caspase-3, and upregulated the expression of Bcl-2. Moreover, LGZGD modulated the NF-κB/MAPK signaling pathways by upregulating the levels of IκBα and phospho-ERK, while downregulating the levels of phospho-p65, phospho-IκBα, and phospho-p38. Furthermore, LGZGD repressed the nuclear translocation activity of NF-κB p65. Meanwhile, LGZGD increased the expression of phospho-GSK-3β and reversed the hyperphosphorylation of Tau proteins by inhibiting the activation of the ERK MAPK pathway.

CONCLUSIONS

Taken together, the present study suggested that LGZGD may be a valuable drug candidate that can attenuate the neurotoxicity induced by Aβ_25-35 by modulating the NF-κB/MAPK signaling pathways in PC12 cells.

Pharmacodynamics, Network Pharmacology, and Pharmacokinetics of Chinese Medicine Formula 9002A in the Treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a common and serious neurodegenerative disease in the elderly; however, the treatment of AD is still lacking of rational drugs. In this paper, the active constituents and targets of the self-developed Chinese medicine Formula 9002A in the treatment of AD were investigated from three aspects: pharmacodynamics based on cell and animal experiments, network pharmacology analysis, and pharmacokinetic analysis. A total of 124 compounds were screened in Formula 9002A, and four constituents including salidroside, gastrodin, niacinamide, and umbelliferone were screened as potential active components for the treatment of AD by network pharmacology. Among them, salidroside and gastrodin showed higher relevance with AD targets, such as ESR1 and AR. The pharmacokinetic study showed that they could be absorbed and identified in plasma; the half-life and mean residence times of salidroside and gastrodin in plasma were nearly increased 2-fold by the administration of Formula 9002A compared with those by the administration of a monomer, indicating the extended action time of active compounds in vivo. Formula 9002A exerted the efficacy in the treatment of AD mainly by regulating APP, GSK3β, ESR1, and AR targets based on the anti-β-amyloid protein deposition, anti-oxidation and anti-apoptosis pathways. Two genes enriched in Alzheimer’s disease pathway, APP and GSK3β, were further validated. The experiments also demonstrated that Formula 9002A could downregulate APP and GSK3β protein expression in the model mice brain and improved their cognitive ability. In summary, Formula 9002A has the characteristics of multiple targets and multiple pathways in the treatment of AD, and salidroside and gastrodin might be the main active constituents, which could provide a foundation for further research and application.

JFNE-A isolated from Jing-Fang n-butanol extract attenuates lipopolysaccharide-induced acute lung injury by inhibiting oxidative stress and the NF-κB signaling pathway via promotion of autophagy

BACKGROUND

Jing-Fang powder consists of Jingjie (Nepeta tenuifolia Benth, (Lamiaceae)). and Fangfeng (Saposhnikovia divaricata (Turcz.) Schischk, (Apiaceae)) Previous studies have revealed that the Jing-Fang powder n-butanol extract (JFNE) has anti-acute lung injury (ALI) and anti-inflammatory properties; however, the active ingredient and mechanism remain unknown.

PURPOSE

In the present study, we investigated the anti-inflammatory effect of a bioactive fraction obtained from JFNE(JFNE-A) on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced ALI in mice and explored the underlying mechanism.

STUDY DESIGN

The anti-acute lung injury effect and mechanism of JFNE-A was investigated by prophylactic administration of JFNE-A in mice with LPS-induced acute lung injury.

METHODS

The expression levels of myeloperoxidase(MPO) in lung tissues of mice and interleukin(IL)-6, tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-α, IL-1β, IL-5, interferon (IFN)-γ, monocyte chemotactic protein (MCP)-1, macrophage colony stimulating factor (M-CSF), macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)-1α, and MIP-1β in bronchi alveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were detected by reagent kit and the histological changes were examined by hematoxylin and eosin (H & E) for general histopathological conditions under a light microscope. In addition, the ultrastructure of the cells in lung tissues were observed and photographed under a transmission electron microscope. The expression levels of protein were detected via Western blotting and the mRNA expression of relative genes were determined of via reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). What's more, we also further clarified the potential targets of JFNE-A through network pharmacology analysis, which could be utilized in ALI treatment.

RESULTS

Our results showed that pretreatment with JFNE-A for 7 days significantly reduced the lung pathological injury score, alleviated pulmonary edema, and decreased the lung tissue MPO level. Mechanistically, JFNE-A dramatically downregulated the protein levels of IL-6, TNF-α, IL-1β, M-CSF, and IFN-γ in BALF and mRNA expression levels of IL-6, TNF-α, IL-1β, and IFN-γ in lung tissues. JFNE-A also significantly lowered the protein levels of iNOS and phosphorylated NF-κB (p65) and mRNA expression levels of iNOS, Rela, CHUK, and NF-κB1, and also elevated the protein expression levels of Nrf2, HO-1, and SOD1 and the mRNA expression levels of Nrf2, Hmox1, and Keap-1 in the lungs. Moreover, JFNE-A significantly decreased the protein expression of p62 and increased the ratio of LC3II/LC3I. It also upregulated the mRNA expression levels of Atg5 and Beclin-1, whereas it reduced the mRNA expression level of SQSTM1 and increased autophagosome structures.

CONCLUSION

Overall, treatment with JFNE-A ameliorated LPS-induced ALI in mice by suppressing the NF-κB signaling pathways and promoting Nrf2 signaling pathways by accelerating autophagy.

The protective impact of berberine against doxorubicin-induced nephrotoxicity in rats

Doxorubicin (DOX) is a well-known anti-neoplastic agent that is widely employed to treat several types of malignancies. The current study was designed to investigate the renoprotective potential of berberine (BEB) on the doxorubicin (DOX)-induced nephrotoxicity and renal fibrosis. Rats were allocated into four groups; Negative Control, DOX nephrotoxic-induced group received a single dose of DOX (20 mg/kg, i.p.), BEB-group received (50 mg/kg, p.o.) for 14 days, and co-treatment group BEB + DOX where rats were pre-treated with BEB for 10 successive days, then received a single dose of DOX on the 11th day, followed by 4 days of receiving BEB. DOX resulted in nephrotoxicity manifested by significant increments in urea, creatinine, and kidney injury molecule (KIM-1), these biochemical findings were supported with the histopathological lesions in renal tissues. Moreover, DOX provoked oxidative stress through enhancing renal malondialdehyde (MDA) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) contents, and decreased renal catalase (CAT) activity. DOX triggered renal fibrosis represented by increased transforming growth factor beta-1 (TGF-β1) and elevated collagen deposition. DOX stimulated apoptosis and inflammation in renal tissues as confirmed by increased immunoexpression of caspase-3 and NF-κB, respectively. These effects were alleviated by BEB co-treatment. Co-treatment with BEB markedly prohibited DOX-induced oxidative damage, inflammation, apoptosis, and fibrosis in renal tissue. Histopathological and immunohistochemical investigations showed the nephroprotective potential of BEB on renal injury, which was consistent with the biochemical findings. Accordingly, it could be concluded that the nephroprotective potential of BEB against DOX-induced kidney injury and fibrosis might be mediated by the anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrosis activities.

Interactions between gut microbiota and berberine, a necessary procedure to understand the mechanisms of berberine

Berberine (BBR), an isoquinoline alkaloid, has been found in many plants, such as Coptis chinensis Franch and Phellodendron chinense Schneid. Although BBR has a wide spectrum of pharmacological effects, its oral bioavailability is extremely low. In recent years, gut microbiota has emerged as a cynosure to understand the mechanisms of action of herbal compounds. Numerous studies have demonstrated that due to its low bioavailability, BBR can interact with the gut microbiota, thereby exhibiting altered pharmacological effects. However, no systematic and comprehensive review has summarized these interactions and their corresponding influences on pharmacological effects. Here, we describe the direct interactive relationships between BBR and gut microbiota, including regulation of gut microbiota composition and metabolism by BBR and metabolization of BBR by gut microbiota. In addition, the complex interactions between gut microbiota and BBR as well as the side effects and personalized use of BBR are discussed. Furthermore, we provide our viewpoint on future research directions regarding BBR and gut microbiota. This review not only helps to explain the mechanisms underlying BBR activity but also provides support for the rational use of BBR in clinical practice.

•

Low bioavailability enables interactions between berberine and the gut microbiota.

•

Berberine can shape the composition and metabolism of the gut microbiota.

•

Gut microbiota can metabolize and transform berberine.

•

Personalized use of berberine can reduce the occurrence of side effects.

An insight into the medicinal attributes of berberine derivatives: A review

In the last few decades, traditional natural products have been the center of attention for the scientific community and exploration of their therapeutic abilities is proceeding perpetually. Berberine, with remarkable therapeutic diversity, is a plant derived isoquinoline alkaloid which is widely used as a traditional medicine in China. Berberine has been tackled as a fascinating pharmacophore to make great contributions to the discovery and development of new therapeutic agents against variegated diseases. Despite its tremendous therapeutic potential, clinical utility of this alkaloid was significantly compromised due to undesirable pharmacokinetic properties. To overcome this limitation, several structural modifications were performed on this scaffold to improve its therapeutic efficacy. The collective efforts of the community have achieved the tremendous advancements, bringing berberine to clinical use and discovering new therapeutic opportunities by structural modifications on the berberine scaffold. In this review, recent advancements in the medicinal chemistry of berberine and its derivatives in the last few years (2016-2020) have been compiled to represent inclusive data associated with various biological activities of this alkaloid. The comprehensive structure-activity relationship studies along with molecular modelling and mechanistic studies have also been summarized. This article would be highly helpful for the scientific community to get better insight into medicinal research of berberine and become a compelling guide for the rational design of berberine based compounds.