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Evaluation of Beneficial and Adverse Effects of a Diet Supplemented with Schisandrae Fructus Seed Ethanol Extract on Lipid and Glucose Metabolism in Normal and Hypercholesterolemic/Hyperglycemic Mice. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE 2021; 2021:8858962. [PMID: 33688367 PMCID: PMC7920717 DOI: 10.1155/2021/8858962] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2020] [Revised: 12/01/2020] [Accepted: 01/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Schisandrae Fructus (SF), the fruit of Schisandra chinensis (Turcz.) Baillon, has been used for the treatment of liver injury and metabolism-related disorders in China. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of supplementation with ethanol extract of SF seed (EtSF-S) on serum/hepatic lipid and glucose levels as well as fecal total cholesterol (TC) contents in mice fed a normal diet (ND) or high-fat/fructose diet (HFFD) containing 15% lard oil and 15% fructose. Female ICR mice (18–20 g in body weight) were fed with ND or HFFD for 3 months, and then EtSF-S was added to both chow diets at increasing concentrations of 1, 5, and 10% (w/w). Thirty days later, serum and hepatic lipids, including TC, triglyceride (TG), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and glucose, were measured. Dietary supplementation with EtSF-S reduced hepatic TC (36 and 18%) and TG levels (38 and 28%) and increased serum HDL/LDL ratio (16 and 26%) in both ND- and HFFD-fed mice, respectively. Moreover, supplementation with EtSF-S elevated serum HDL (31%) in HFFD-fed mice and reduced serum LDL (27%) in ND-fed mice. EtSF-S treatment reduced fat mass (40%) in ND-fed mice and increased fecal TC contents (33%) in HFFD-fed mice. EtSF-S supplementation decreased hepatic glucose contents (29%) in both ND- and HFFD-fed mice. However, diet supplemented with EtSF-S elevated serum TG levels (up to 123%) and hepatic size (28%), but more importantly, suppressed the body weight gain (approximately 130%) in mice fed with HFFD. These findings suggested that dietary supplementation with EtSF-S as natural herbal function food may be a useful strategy for the treatment of patients with fatty liver disease or overweight without a high intake of sugar and fat.
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Xie X, Zhang L, Yuan S, Li H, Zheng C, Xie S, Sun Y, Zhang C, Wang R, Jin Y. Val-Val-Tyr-Pro protects against non-alcoholic steatohepatitis in mice by modulating the gut microbiota and gut-liver axis activation. J Cell Mol Med 2021; 25:1439-1455. [PMID: 33400402 PMCID: PMC7875918 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.16229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2020] [Revised: 12/06/2020] [Accepted: 12/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Val‐Val‐Tyr‐Pro (VVYP) peptide is one of the main active components of Globin digest (GD). Our previous studies indicated that VVYP could protect against acetaminophen and carbon tetrachloride‐induced acute liver failure in mice and decrease blood lipid level. However, the effects and underlying mechanisms of VVYP in the treatment of non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) have not been discovered. Our present study was designed to investigate the preventive effect of VVYP on NASH and its underlying specific mechanisms. We found that VVYP inhibited the cytotoxicity and lipid accumulation in L‐02 cells that were exposed to a mixture of free fatty acid (FFA). VVYP effectively alleviated the liver injury induced by methionine‐choline‐deficient (MCD) diet, demonstrated by reducing the levels of serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT)/aspartate aminotransferase (AST)/triglycerides (TG)/non‐esterified fatty acids (NEFA) and improving liver histology. VVYP decreased expression levels of lipid synthesis‐related genes and reduced levels of the proinflammation cytokines in the liver of mice fed by MCD diet. Moreover, VVYP inhibited the increased level of LPS and reversed the liver mitochondria dysfunction induced by MCD diet. Meanwhile, VVYP significantly increased the abundance of beneficial bacteria such as Eubacteriaceae, coriobacteriacease, Desulfovibrionaceae, S24‐7 and Bacteroidia in high‐fat diet (HFD)‐fed mice, however, VVYP reduced the abundance of Lactobacillus. Moreover, VVYP conferred the protective effect of intestinal barrier via promoting the expression of the mucins and tight junction (TJ)‐associated genes and inhibited subsequent liver inflammatory responses. These results indicated that the protective role of VVYP on NASH is mediated by modulating gut microbiota imbalance and related gut‐liver axis activation. VVYP might be a promising drug candidate for NASH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinshu Xie
- National Pharmaceutical Engineering Center for Solid Preparation in Chinese Herbal Medicine, Jiangxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanchang, China
| | - Lang Zhang
- Jiangxi Provincial Children's Hospital, Nanchang, China
| | - Shun Yuan
- National Pharmaceutical Engineering Center for Solid Preparation in Chinese Herbal Medicine, Jiangxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanchang, China
| | - Huilan Li
- National Pharmaceutical Engineering Center for Solid Preparation in Chinese Herbal Medicine, Jiangxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanchang, China
| | - Chaojun Zheng
- National Pharmaceutical Engineering Center for Solid Preparation in Chinese Herbal Medicine, Jiangxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanchang, China
| | - Saisai Xie
- National Pharmaceutical Engineering Center for Solid Preparation in Chinese Herbal Medicine, Jiangxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanchang, China
| | - Yongbing Sun
- National Pharmaceutical Engineering Center for Solid Preparation in Chinese Herbal Medicine, Jiangxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanchang, China
| | - Changhua Zhang
- National Pharmaceutical Engineering Center for Solid Preparation in Chinese Herbal Medicine, Jiangxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanchang, China
| | - Rikang Wang
- National Pharmaceutical Engineering Center for Solid Preparation in Chinese Herbal Medicine, Jiangxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanchang, China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Design and Evaluation, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shenzhen University Health Science Centre, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yi Jin
- National Pharmaceutical Engineering Center for Solid Preparation in Chinese Herbal Medicine, Jiangxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanchang, China
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Therapeutic potential of bicyclol in liver diseases: Lessons from a synthetic drug based on herbal derivative in traditional Chinese medicine. Int Immunopharmacol 2020; 91:107308. [PMID: 33383448 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2020.107308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2020] [Revised: 12/06/2020] [Accepted: 12/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Bicyclol, an innovative chemical drug with proprietary intellectual property rights in China, is based on derivative of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) Schisandra chinensis (Wuweizi) of North. Mounting data has proved that bicyclol has therapeutic potential in various pathological conditions in liver. In this narrative review, we provide the first summary of pharmacological activities, pharmacokinetic characteristics and toxicity of bicyclol, and discuss future research perspectives. Our results imply that bicyclol has a wide spectrum of pharmacological properties, including anti-viral, anti-inflammatory, immuno-regulatory, anti-oxidative, antisteatotic, anti-fibrotic, antitumor, cell death regulatory effects and modulation of heat shock proteins. Pharmacokinetic studies have indicated that bicyclol is the main substrate of CYP3A/2E1. Additionally, no obvious drug interactions have been found when bicyclol is administered simultaneously with other prescriptions. Furthermore, the results of chronic toxicity have strongly addressed that bicyclol has no noticeable toxic effects on all biochemical indices and pathological examinations of the main organs. In view of good pharmacological actions and safety, bicyclol is anticipated to be a potential candidate for various liver diseases, including acute liver injury, fulminant hepatitis, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, fibrosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Further studies are therefore required to delineate its molecular mechanisms and targets to confer this well-designed drug a far greater potency. We hope that bicyclol-based therapeutics for liver diseases might be broadly used in clinical practice worldwide.
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Zhu P, Li J, Fu X, Yu Z. Schisandra fruits for the management of drug-induced liver injury in China: A review. PHYTOMEDICINE : INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHYTOTHERAPY AND PHYTOPHARMACOLOGY 2019; 59:152760. [PMID: 31004881 DOI: 10.1016/j.phymed.2018.11.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2018] [Revised: 11/14/2018] [Accepted: 11/17/2018] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND With increasing use of pharmaceuticals, drug-induced liver injury (DILI) has become a significant therapeutic challenge to physicians all over the world. Drugs based on Schisandra fruits (SF for short, the fruits of Schisandra chinensis or Schisandra sphenanthera) or synthetic analogues of schisandrin C, are commonly prescribed for treating DILI in China. PURPOSE This review summarizes the literature regarding the application of SF-derived drugs in patients with DILI and current understanding of mechanisms underlying the protective effects of SF against liver injury. METHODS Keywords related to drug-induced liver injury and Schisandra fruits were searched in the following databases: Pubmed, Cochrane Library, Google Scholar, LiverTox, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Chinese Scientific Journal database (VIP), and Wanfang database. All studies, published in English or Chinese, were included. Clinical study exclusion criteria: if patients received other Chinese herbal medicines in a study, the study will not be included in this review. RESULTS Clinical studies have shown that SF-derived drugs are effective in inhibiting drug-induced elevation of serum levels of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate transaminase and total bilirubin. Cellular and animal studies have demonstrated that crude SF extracts, lignan compounds found in SF, and SF-derived drugs are effective in protecting the liver against xenobiotic-induced injury. Regulation of cytochrome P450 enzyme activity, anti-oxidation, anti-inflammation and acceleration of liver regeneration are involved in the hepatoprotective mechanisms of SF. CONCLUSION SF-derived drugs are effective in ameliorating DILI in China. To verify the clinical efficacy of these drugs, high-quality clinical studies are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peili Zhu
- Consun Chinese Medicines Research Centre for Renal Diseases, School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong, China; Center for Cancer and Inflammation Research, School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong, China; Research and Development Centre for Natural Health Products, HKBU Shenzhen Research Institute and Continuing Education, Shenzhen, China
| | - Junkui Li
- Consun Chinese Medicines Research Centre for Renal Diseases, School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong, China; Center for Cancer and Inflammation Research, School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong, China; Research and Development Centre for Natural Health Products, HKBU Shenzhen Research Institute and Continuing Education, Shenzhen, China
| | - Xiuqiong Fu
- Consun Chinese Medicines Research Centre for Renal Diseases, School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong, China; Center for Cancer and Inflammation Research, School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong, China; Research and Development Centre for Natural Health Products, HKBU Shenzhen Research Institute and Continuing Education, Shenzhen, China
| | - Zhiling Yu
- Consun Chinese Medicines Research Centre for Renal Diseases, School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong, China; Center for Cancer and Inflammation Research, School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong, China; Research and Development Centre for Natural Health Products, HKBU Shenzhen Research Institute and Continuing Education, Shenzhen, China.
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Zhang Y, Xie Y, Zhang Y, Liu Y, Zhuang Y. Hepatitis B patients exhibiting mild alanine aminotransferase elevation: A comparative analysis of treatment with and without Bicyclol tablets. Biomed Rep 2016; 5:595-600. [PMID: 27882223 DOI: 10.3892/br.2016.765] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2016] [Accepted: 09/05/2016] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of the present study was to analyze the medicinal effect of Bicyclol tablets on patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) and concomitant mild alanine aminotransferase (ALT) elevation (40-80 IU/l). A retrospective cohort study, which included patients from the hospital information system (HIS; established by the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences) viral hepatitis database comprised of 18 third-grade class A hospitals in China, was performed. Patients were divided into an exposed group (administered with Bicyclol tablets) and a non-exposed group (no administration of Bicyclol tablets). The CHB patients that exhibited mild ALT elevation provided the curative effect analysis data set, and the patients with viral hepatitis who underwent more than two creatinine/hemoglobin/leucocyte examinations served as the safety analysis data set. The factors influencing ALT normalization rate were analyzed and the safety of Bicyclol tablets was assessed. In total, 82 pairs of patients were included in the curative effect analysis, and single factor analysis revealed that the ALT normalization rate of the exposed group was statistically significantly higher than that of the non-exposed group (P=0.040) for patients with mild ALT elevation. After adjusting for patient age, gender, baseline ALT levels, state of illness upon admission, pattern of hospitalization, hospitalization days and drug combination, the odds ratio (95% confidence interval) of the ALT normalization rate of the exposed group was 2.156 (1.103-4.215) when compared with the non-exposed group. During treatment, the occurrence rates of creatinine/hemoglobin/leucocyte level abnormalities of the exposed group, which were included in the safety analysis were statistically significantly lower than those of the non-exposed group (P<0.05). These findings indicate that Bicyclol tablets improve the ALT normalization rate of CHB patients exhibiting mild ALT elevation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yin Zhang
- Institute of Basic Research in Clinical Medicine, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100700, P.R. China
| | - Yanming Xie
- Institute of Basic Research in Clinical Medicine, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100700, P.R. China
| | - Yiying Zhang
- Institute of Basic Research in Clinical Medicine, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100700, P.R. China; Institute of Information on Traditional Chinese Medicine, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100700, P.R. China
| | - Yan Liu
- School of Statistics, Renmin University of China, Beijing 100872, P.R. China
| | - Yan Zhuang
- Center of Computer Management, Navy General Hospital of PLA, Beijing 100048, P.R. China
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Zhu PL, Pan SY, Zhou SF, Zhang Y, Wang XY, Sun N, Chu ZS, Yu ZL, Ko KM. Effects of combined dietary supplementation with fenofibrate and Schisandrae Fructus pulp on lipid and glucose levels and liver function in normal and hypercholesterolemic mice. DRUG DESIGN DEVELOPMENT AND THERAPY 2015; 9:923-35. [PMID: 25733812 PMCID: PMC4338776 DOI: 10.2147/dddt.s73544] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Background Currently, combined therapy using herbs and synthetic drugs has become a feasible therapeutic intervention against some diseases. The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of supplementation with fenofibrate (FF), a chemical drug used for the treatment of hyperlipidemia, and the aqueous extract of Schisandrae Fructus (SF, a Chinese herb) pulp (AqSF-P) or an SF-related synthetic analog, bicyclol (BY), on serum/hepatic lipid levels and liver status in normal and hypercholesterolemic (HCL) mice. Methods Male mice obtained from the Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) were fed on a normal diet (ND) or high cholesterol/bile salt (0.5%/0.15%, w/w) diet (HCBD) containing FF (0.03% or 0.1%, w/w) with or without AqSF-P (0.3%−9.0%, based on crude herbal material, w/w) or BY (0.025%, w/w) for 10 days. Then serum lipid levels and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activity, as well as hepatic triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), and glucose levels, were measured. Results Oral supplementation with FF significantly reduced serum and hepatic TG, TC, and hepatic glucose levels (approximately 79%) in mice fed with ND or HCBD. FF supplementation combined with AqSF-P or BY increased FF-induced reduction in hepatic TC and TG contents in ND-fed mice (up to 67%) and in HCBD-fed mice (up to 54%), when compared with FF supplementation alone. Hepatic glucose-lowering effect of FF was enhanced (up to 19%) by AqSF-P cosupplementation in both normal and HCL mice. FF supplementation enhanced the excretion of fecal TC (by 75%) in mice fed with HCBD. Fecal TC contents were increased by 14%/9% in the combination therapy with FF and AqSF-P in ND-/HCBD-fed mice. Serum ALT activity was elevated by 45% in HCBD-fed mice. FF caused a significant increase in ALT activity by 198% and 120% in normal and HCL mice, respectively. BY markedly attenuated the ALT activity by 54% in mice fed with ND supplemented with 0.1% FF and by 42% in mice fed with HCBD supplemented with 0.03% FF. Conclusion AqSF-P cosupplementation augmented the hepatic lipid-/glucose-lowering effects of FF. BY ameliorated FF-induced liver injury in normal and HCL mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pei-Li Zhu
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Si-Yuan Pan
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Shu-Feng Zhou
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Yi Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiao-Yan Wang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Nan Sun
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhu-Sheng Chu
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhi-Ling Yu
- School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong, People's Republic of China
| | - Kam-Ming Ko
- Division of Life Science, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong, People's Republic of China
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Randomized, vitamin E-controlled trial of bicyclol plus metformin in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease patients with impaired fasting glucose. Clin Drug Investig 2015; 34:1-7. [PMID: 24081374 DOI: 10.1007/s40261-013-0136-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is associated with a high morbidity in patients with impaired fasting glucose (IFG). Bicyclol is a synthetic compound known to protect the liver against oxidation and lipid injuries. OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of metformin and bicyclol in the treatment of NAFLD patients with IFG. METHODS After lifestyle changes and metformin treatment (500 mg orally three times daily), the 248 patients enrolled with NAFLD and IFG were equally randomized to two 24-week treatment groups: bicyclol 25 mg three times daily or vitamin E (α-tocopherol) 100 mg three times daily (control). Anthropometric measurements, serum biochemistry, liver/spleen computed tomography ratio, and changes in liver histological parameters were compared before and after treatments. RESULTS A total of 223 patients completed the treatment, and there were significant improvements in body mass index, waist-to-hip ratio, and biochemical parameters in both groups (P < 0.01). Compared with the control group, the improvement in serum alanine aminotransferase levels in the bicyclol group was statistically significant (P < 0.01). Liver histological assessments revealed that steatosis, inflammation, hepatocellular ballooning, and NAFLD activity scores (NAS) were all decreased in both groups after treatment (P < 0.01). However, decreases in inflammation and NAS in the bicyclol group were statistically significant compared with the vitamin E group (P < 0.01). Adverse events in the bicyclol and control groups occurred in 1.79 and 1.80 %, respectively. CONCLUSION Metformin combined with bicyclol is effective and safe in the treatment of patients with NAFLD and IFG. However, further studies with a larger sample size are needed to confirm the efficacy and safety of the combination.
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Wang XY, Yu ZL, Pan SY, Zhang Y, Sun N, Zhu PL, Jia ZH, Zhou SF, Ko KM. Supplementation with the extract of schisandrae fructus pulp, seed, or their combination influences the metabolism of lipids and glucose in mice fed with normal and hypercholesterolemic diet. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE : ECAM 2014; 2014:472638. [PMID: 24876871 PMCID: PMC4021675 DOI: 10.1155/2014/472638] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2014] [Revised: 03/17/2014] [Accepted: 03/17/2014] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
SCHISANDRAE FRUCTUS (SF), WHICH POSSESSES FIVE TASTES sweet (fruit skin), sour (pulp), bitter/pungent (seed core), and saltiness (all parts), can produce a wide spectrum of biological activities in the body. Here, we investigated the effects of the ethanolic extract of SF pulp, seed, or their combination (namely, EtSF-P, EtSF-S, or EtSF-P/S, resp.; collectively called EtSF) on the metabolism of lipids and glucose in normal diet- (ND-) and hypercholesterolemic diet- (HCLD-) fed mice. Supplementation with EtSF significantly reduced hepatic triglyceride and cholesterol levels by 18-47% in both ND- and HCLD-fed mice. EtSF supplementation reduced serum triglyceride levels (approximately 29%), whereas EtSF-P and EtSF-S/P elevated serum cholesterol (up to 26 and 44%, resp.) in HCLD-fed mice. Treatment with EtSF decreased hepatic glucose levels (by 9-44%) in both ND- and HCLD-fed mice. Supplementation with EtSF-S or EtSF-S/P (at 1 and 3%) increased biliary or fecal TC contents in HCLD-fed mice. However, supplementation with EtSF-S/P at 9% reduced biliary TC levels in HCLD-fed mice. EtSF-P or EtSF-S/P supplementation reduced serum alanine aminotransferase activity in HCLD-fed mice. The findings suggested that supplementation with EtSF lowered lipid and glucose accumulation in the liver and increased fecal cholesterol contents in mice. Dietary supplementation with EtSF-P or EtSF-S/P attenuated liver damage in HCLD-fed mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Yan Wang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100102, China
| | - Zhi-Ling Yu
- School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong
| | - Si-Yuan Pan
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100102, China
| | - Yi Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100102, China
| | - Nan Sun
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100102, China
| | - Pei-Li Zhu
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100102, China
| | - Zhan-Hong Jia
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100102, China
| | - Shu-Feng Zhou
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of South Florida, FL 33612, USA
| | - Kam-Ming Ko
- Division of Life Science, Hong Kong University of Science & Technology, Hong Kong
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Sun N, Pan SY, Zhang Y, Wang XY, Zhu PL, Chu ZS, Yu ZL, Zhou SF, Ko KM. Dietary pulp from Fructus Schisandra Chinensis supplementation reduces serum/hepatic lipid and hepatic glucose levels in mice fed a normal or high cholesterol/bile salt diet. Lipids Health Dis 2014; 13:46. [PMID: 24621253 PMCID: PMC3984702 DOI: 10.1186/1476-511x-13-46] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2013] [Accepted: 03/05/2014] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Recently, it has been found that Fructus Schisandra Chinensis (FSC), a Chinese herbal medicine, and its related compounds have a profound impact on lipid metabolism process. FSC can be divided into two parts, i.e., seed and pulp. The current study aimed to examine the effect of aqueous extracts of FSC pulp (AqFSC-P) on serum/hepatic lipid and glucose levels in mice fed with a normal diet (ND) or a high cholesterol/bile salt diet (HCBD). Methods The AqFSC-P used in the present study was fractionated into supernatant (SAqFSC-P) and precipitate (PAqFSC-P) separated by centrifugation. Male ICR mice were fed with ND or HCBD, without or with supplementation of 1%, 3%, or 9% (w/w) SAqFSC-P or PAqFSC-P for 10 days. Biomarkers were determined according to the manufacturer’s instruction. Results Supplementation with SAqFSC-P or PAqFSC-P significantly reduced serum and hepatic triglyceride levels (approximately 40%) in ND- and/or HCBD-fed mice. The supplementation with SAqFSC-P or PAqFSC-P reduced hepatic total cholesterol levels (by 27 - 46%) in HCBD-fed mice. Supplementation with SAqFSC-P or PAqFSC-P markedly lowered hepatic glucose levels (by 13 - 30%) in ND- and HCBD-fed mice. SAqFSC-P decreased serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activity, but PAqFSC-P increased hepatic protein contents in ND-fed mice. Bicylol, as a positive control, reduced ALT activity. In addition, mice supplemented with FSC-P or bicylol showed a smaller body weight gain and adipose tissue mass as compared to the respective un-supplemented ND- or HCBD-fed mice. Conclusion The results indicate that SAqFSC-P and PAqFSC-P produce hepatic lipid- and glucose-lowering as well as serum TG-lowering effects in hypercholesterolemic mice. FSC pulp may provide a safe alternative for the management of fatty liver and/or lipid disorders in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Si-Yuan Pan
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100102, China.
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Pan SY, Zhou SF, Gao SH, Yu ZL, Zhang SF, Tang MK, Sun JN, Ma DL, Han YF, Fong WF, Ko KM. New Perspectives on How to Discover Drugs from Herbal Medicines: CAM's Outstanding Contribution to Modern Therapeutics. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE : ECAM 2013; 2013:627375. [PMID: 23634172 PMCID: PMC3619623 DOI: 10.1155/2013/627375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 241] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2012] [Accepted: 01/29/2013] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
With tens of thousands of plant species on earth, we are endowed with an enormous wealth of medicinal remedies from Mother Nature. Natural products and their derivatives represent more than 50% of all the drugs in modern therapeutics. Because of the low success rate and huge capital investment need, the research and development of conventional drugs are very costly and difficult. Over the past few decades, researchers have focused on drug discovery from herbal medicines or botanical sources, an important group of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapy. With a long history of herbal usage for the clinical management of a variety of diseases in indigenous cultures, the success rate of developing a new drug from herbal medicinal preparations should, in theory, be higher than that from chemical synthesis. While the endeavor for drug discovery from herbal medicines is "experience driven," the search for a therapeutically useful synthetic drug, like "looking for a needle in a haystack," is a daunting task. In this paper, we first illustrated various approaches of drug discovery from herbal medicines. Typical examples of successful drug discovery from botanical sources were given. In addition, problems in drug discovery from herbal medicines were described and possible solutions were proposed. The prospect of drug discovery from herbal medicines in the postgenomic era was made with the provision of future directions in this area of drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Si-Yuan Pan
- School of Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100102, China
| | - Shu-Feng Zhou
- College of Pharmacy,University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
| | - Si-Hua Gao
- School of basic medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100102, China
| | - Zhi-Ling Yu
- School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong
| | - Shuo-Feng Zhang
- School of Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100102, China
| | - Min-Ke Tang
- School of Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100102, China
| | - Jian-Ning Sun
- School of Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100102, China
| | - Dik-Lung Ma
- Department of Chemistry, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong
| | - Yi-Fan Han
- Department of Applied Biology & Chemical Technology, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong
| | - Wang-Fun Fong
- School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong
| | - Kam-Ming Ko
- Division of Life Science, Hong Kong University of Science & Technology, Hong Kong
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Pan SY, Yu Q, Zhang Y, Wang XY, Sun N, Yu ZL, Ko KM. Dietary Fructus Schisandrae extracts and fenofibrate regulate the serum/hepatic lipid-profile in normal and hypercholesterolemic mice, with attention to hepatotoxicity. Lipids Health Dis 2012; 11:120. [PMID: 22989092 PMCID: PMC3532177 DOI: 10.1186/1476-511x-11-120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2012] [Accepted: 09/14/2012] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Schisandra, a globally distributed plant, has been widely applied to health care products. Here, we investigated the effects of dietary intake of Fructus Schisandrae chinensis (FSC), both aqueous and ethanolic extracts (AqFSC, EtFSC), on serum/hepatic lipid contents in normal diet (ND)- and high-fat/cholesterol/bile salt diet (HFCBD)-fed mice. Methods Male ICR mice were fed with ND or HFCBD, supplemented with 1 and 4% of AqFSC and EtFSC, respectively, or 0.1% fenofibrate, for 13 days. Lipids were determined according to the manufacture’s instructions. Results EtFSC, but not AqFSC, significantly elevated hepatic triglyceride (TG) in mice fed with ND. Feeding mice with HFCBD increased serum total cholesterol (TC), high density lipoprotein (HDL) and low density lipoprotein (LDL) levels as well as alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activity. Supplementation with AqFSC, EtFSC or fenofibrate significantly reduced hepatic TC and TG levels. However, AqFSC and EtFSC supplementation increased serum HDL and LDL levels in mice fed with HFCBD. Fenofibrate increased serum HDL and reduced serum LDL contents in hypercholesterolemic mice. EtFSC reduced, but fenofibrate elevated, serum ALT activity in both normal and hypercholesterolemic mice. While fenofibrate reduced serum TC, TG, and HDL levels in mice fed with ND, it increased serum HDL and reduced serum LDL and TC levels in mice fed with HFCBD. Hepatomegaly was found in normal and hypercholesterolemic mice fed with diet supplemented with fenofibrate. Conclusions Feeding mice with AqFSC and EtFSC ameliorated the HFCBD-induced hepatic steatosis. In addition, EtFSC may offer protection against hepatic injury in hypercholesterolemic mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Si-Yuan Pan
- Department of Pharmacology, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100102, China.
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Pan SY, Chen SB, Dong HG, Yu ZL, Dong JC, Long ZX, Fong WF, Han YF, Ko KM. New perspectives on chinese herbal medicine (zhong-yao) research and development. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE : ECAM 2011; 2011:403709. [PMID: 21785622 PMCID: PMC3135515 DOI: 10.1093/ecam/neq056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2009] [Accepted: 04/20/2010] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Synthetic chemical drugs, while being efficacious in the clinical management of many diseases, are often associated with undesirable side effects in patients. It is now clear that the need of therapeutic intervention in many clinical conditions cannot be satisfactorily met by synthetic chemical drugs. Since the research and development of new chemical drugs remain time-consuming, capital-intensive and risky, much effort has been put in the search for alternative routes for drug discovery in China. This narrative review illustrates various approaches to the research and drug discovery in Chinese herbal medicine. Although this article focuses on Chinese traditional drugs, it is also conducive to the development of other traditional remedies and innovative drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Si-Yuan Pan
- Department of Pharmacology, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100102, China
| | - Si-Bao Chen
- Department of Applied Biology & Chemical Technology, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, China
| | | | - Zhi-Ling Yu
- Center for Cancer and Inflammation Research, School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, China
| | - Ji-Cui Dong
- Department of Essential Medicines and Pharmaceutical Policies, World Health Organization, China
| | - Zhi-Xian Long
- Department of Pharmacology, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100102, China
| | - Wang-Fun Fong
- Center for Cancer and Inflammation Research, School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, China
| | - Yi-Fan Han
- Department of Applied Biology & Chemical Technology, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, China
| | - Kam-Ming Ko
- Department of Biochemistry, Hong Kong University of Science & Technology, China
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Pan SY, Yu ZL, Dong H, Xiang CJ, Fong WF, Ko KM. Ethanol extract of fructus schisandrae decreases hepatic triglyceride level in mice fed with a high fat/cholesterol diet, with attention to acute toxicity. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE 2011; 2011:729412. [PMID: 19592476 PMCID: PMC3137372 DOI: 10.1093/ecam/nep070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2008] [Accepted: 05/28/2009] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Effects of the ethanol extract of Fructus Schisandrae (EtFSC) on serum and liver lipid contents were investigated in mice fed with high fat/cholesterol (HFC) diet for 8 or 15 days. The induction of hypercholesterolemia by HFC diet caused significant increases in serum and hepatic total cholesterol (TC) levels (up to 62% and 165%, resp.) and hepatic triglyceride (TG) levels (up to 528%) in mice. EtFSC treatment (1 or 5 g/kg/day for 7 days; from Day 1 to 7 or from Day 8 to 14, i.g.) significantly decreased the hepatic TG level (down to 35%) and slightly increased the hepatic index (by 8%) in hypercholesterolemic mice. Whereas fenofibrate treatment (0.1 g/kg/day for 7 days, i.g.) significantly lowered the hepatic TG level (by 61%), it elevated the hepatic index (by 77%) in hypercholesterolemic mice. Acute toxicity test showed that EtFSC was relatively non-toxic, with an LD50 value of 35.63 ± 6.46 g/kg in mice. The results indicate that EtFSC treatment can invariably decrease hepatic TG in hypercholesterolemic mice, as assessed by both preventive and therapeutic protocols, suggesting its potential use for fatty liver treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Si-Yuan Pan
- Department of Pharmacology, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100102, China
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