Integrated strategy of network analysis prediction and experimental validation to elucidate the possible mechanism of compound Turkish gall ointment in treating eczema

Analysis of an Aqueous Extract from Turkish Galls Based on Multicomponent Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis Combined with Network Pharmacology and Chemometric Analysis

The current quality control method for Turkish gall (TG) is limited to assessing total tannin or gallic acid (GA), which offers a basic level of quality control but does not fully capture the true quality of TG. Therefore, it is essential to establish a comprehensive method that utilizes multiple indicators to assess the intrinsic quality of TG. This research utilized UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS technology to qualitatively analyze the chemical composition of TG. Subsequently, the potential main active ingredients, targets, and pathways of TG in treating recurrent aphthous ulcers (RAU) were explored and analyzed using network pharmacology technology. Quantitative analysis of multicomponents by single marker (QAMS) was then employed to quantify the primary pharmacodynamic components in TG. Finally, chemometrics analysis was utilized to interpret the measured results and identify the markers of scavenging quality. The study identified 36 chemical components in TG, highlighting ellagic acid (EA), GA, and so on as key components in treating RAU. A method for simultaneously determining GA, EA, 1,2,3,6-tetra-O-galloyl-β-D-glucose (TEGG) and 1,2,3,4,6-penta-O-galloyl-β-D-glucose (PEGG) in TG was established. Statistical analysis revealed significant differences in the content of these 4 components across 14 batches of TG, with GA and PEGG identified as the primary contributors to the variations. This study determined a quality index for TG, providing a reference for quality evaluation and introducing a cost-effective and efficient quality control method. Furthermore, it addressed the challenge of developing new Chinese medicine by overcoming the lack of reference substances.

Palmitic acid-activated GPRs/KLF7/CCL2 pathway is involved in the crosstalk between bone marrow adipocytes and prostate cancer

BACKGROUND

Obesity-induced abnormal bone marrow microenvironment is one of the important risk element for bone metastasis in prostate cancer (PCa). The present study aimed to determine whether obesity-induced elevation in palmitic acid (PA), which is the most abundant of the free fatty acids (FFAs), increased CCL2 via the GPRs/KLF7 pathway in bone marrow adipocytes (BMA) to facilitate PCa growth and metastasis.

METHODS

We constructed a bone-tumor bearing mouse model with obesity through high-fat diet, and observed the tumor formation ability of PCa cells. In vitro, observe the effect of PA on the expression level of CCL2 in BMA through GPRs/KLF7 signaling pathway. After co-culture of BMA and PCa cells, CCK8 assay and transwell experiment were used to detect the changes in biological behavior of PCa cells stimulated by BMA.

RESULTS

The BMA distribution in the bone marrow cavity of BALB/c nude mice fed with the high-fat diet (HFD) was evidently higher than that in the mice fed with the normal diet (ND). Moreover, HFD-induced obesity promoted KLF7/CCL2 expression in BMA and PCa cell growth in the bone marrow cavity of the mice. In the vitro experiment, a conditioned medium with increased CCL2 obtained from the BMA cultured with PA (CM-BMA-PA) was used for culturing the PCa cell lines, which evidently enhanced the proliferation, invasion, and migration ability. KLF7 significantly increased the CCL2 expression and secretion levels in BMA by targeting the promoter region of the CCL2 gene. In addition, GPR40/120 engaged in the PA-induced high KLF7/CCL2 levels in BMA to facilitate the malignant progression of PC-3 cells.

CONCLUSIONS

PA-activated GPRs/KLF7/CCL2 pathway in BMA facilitates prostate cancer growth and metastasis.

The effects of medicinal and food homologous substances on blood lipid and blood glucose levels and liver function in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials

BACKGROUND

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a prevalent chronic liver disorder worldwide. According to several previous studies, the treatment of patients with NAFLD using medicinal and food-homologous substances has consistent effects on the levels of blood lipids and blood glucose and liver function.

OBJECTIVE

This systematic review was conducted to investigate the impact of medicinal and food homologous substances on blood lipid and glucose levels as well as liver function in patients with NAFLD.

METHODS

A thorough search was conducted in eight databases, including China Science and Technology Journal Database (VIP), Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure(CNKI), China Biomedical Literature Database (SinoMed), Wanfang Database, PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science and Embase, for articles published from database inception until June 24, 2023. The methodological quality of the included studies was evaluated utilizing Cochrane Randomized Trial Risk Bias Tool, Edition 2 and GRADE methodology for assessment.

RESULTS

A total of 13 randomized controlled trials, involving 829 patients with NAFLD, were included in the analysis, these studies included a total of 9 medicinal and food homologous substances. In the 13 studies, hawthorn (2), sea buckthorn (1), ginger (2), turmeric (4) (1 with chicory seeds), cinnamon (1), cardamom (1), purslane (1) and saffron (1) were included. The results of the included studies showed that medicinal and food homologous substances could improve high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TGs), fasting blood glucose (FBG) and liver enzyme levels in patients with NAFLD to a certain extent, but the effect of turmeric on TC, liver enzyme levels is controversial.

CONCLUSION

In patients with NAFLD, dietary intervention using medicinal and food homologous substances can ameliorate blood lipid and blood glucose levels and liver enzymes to some extent. In clinical work, medicinal and food homologous substances can be used to provide patients with NAFLD with a safe and effective dietary plan to help prevent and treat disease onset and progression.