Gentiana decoction inhibits liver fibrosis and the activation of hepatic stellate cells via upregulating the expression of Parkin

Liver fibrosis is a wound-healing process. It can be induced by various chronic liver diseases. Liver fibrosis is characterized by the activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), a key event. However, no effective treatment strategies to cure or alleviate liver fibrosis-induced pathologic changes have yet been developed. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) exhibits a good anti-fibrosis action, with few side effects. Gentiana decoction, a TCM also called Longdan Xiegan Tang (LXT), is used for purging the liver in clinical settings. However, the role of LXT in preventing liver fibrosis and the underlying regulatory mechanism have not yet been investigated. This study demonstrates that LXT treatment can protect the liver from the injuries resulting from CCl4-induced liver fibrosis in mice and suppress the activation of HSCs. The mice in the LXT group exhibit litter collagen I and HSC activation marker α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) expression. Transcriptome sequencing of the mouse liver tissue reveals that the level of Parkin, a mitophagy marker, decreased in CCl4-induced liver fibrosis. Further study shows that the injection of Parkin-overexpression adeno-associated virus (Parkin-AAV) via the tail vein can reduce CCl4-induced liver fibrogenesis in mice. We conducted a mechanistic study also, which suggests that LXT treatment suppresses the activation of HSCs by upregulating the expression of Parkin. Hence, it can be suggested that LXT inhibits liver fibrosis by activating the Parkin signaling pathway.

Absorbed Bioactive Compounds Replicate Guanxin II-Induced Endothelium-Associated in/ex vivo Vasodilation

OBJECTIVE

To develop an interference-free and rapid method to elucidate Guanxin II (GX II)'s representative vasodilator absorbed bioactive compounds (ABCs) among enormous phytochemicals.

METHODS

The contents of ferulic acid, tanshinol, and hydroxysafflor yellow A (FTA) in GX II/rat serum after the oral administration of GX II (30 g/kg) were detected using ultra-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Totally 18 rats were randomly assigned to the control group (0.9% normal saline), GX II (30 g/kg) and FTA (5, 28 and 77 mg/kg) by random number table method. Diastolic coronary flow velocity-time integral (VTI), i.e., coronary flow or coronary flow-mediated dilation (CFMD), and endothelium-intact vascular tension of isolated aortic rings were measured. After 12 h of exposure to blank medium or 0.5 mmol/L H2O2, endothelial cells (ECs) were treated with post-dose GX II of supernatant from deproteinized serum (PGSDS, 300 µL PGSDS per 1 mL of culture medium) or FTA (237, 1539, and 1510 mg/mL) for 10 min as control, H2O2, PGSDS and FTA groups. Nitric oxide (NO), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), endothelin-1 (ET-1), superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA) and phosphorylated phosphoinositide 3 kinase (p-PI3K), phosphorylated protein kinase B (p-AKT), phosphorylated endothelial nitric oxide synthase (p-eNOS) were analyzed. PGSDS was developed as a GX II proxy of ex vivo herbal crude extracts.

RESULTS

PGSDS effectively eliminates false responses caused by crude GX II preparations. When doses equaled the contents in GX II/its post-dose serum, FTA accounted for 98.17% of GX II -added CFMD and 92.99% of PGSDS-reduced vascular tension. In ECs, FTA/PGSDS was found to have significant antioxidant (lower MDA and higher SOD, P<0.01) and endothelial function-protective (lower VEGF, ET-1, P<0.01) effects. The increases in aortic relaxation, endothelial NO levels and phosphorylated PI3K/Akt/eNOS protein induced by FTA/PGSDS were markedly abolished by NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NA, eNOS inhibitor) and wortmannin (PI3K/AKT inhibitor), respectively, indicating an endothelium-dependent vasodilation via the PI3K/AKT-eNOS pathway (P<0.01).

CONCLUSION

This study provides a strategy for rapidly and precisely elucidating GX II's representative in/ex vivo cardioprotective absorbed bioactive compounds (ABCs)-FTA, suggesting its potential in advancing precision ethnomedicine.

Cynanchum komarovii extract for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis by acting on synovial cells in vitro and in vivo

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Cynanchum komarovii (CK), the northwest Chinese region's common medicinal herb, was traditionally utilized to treat arthritis, toothache, bald sores and cholecystitis. Various forms of arthritis can be treated with CK, based on "Medicinal Plants of Chinese Desert Areas". However, the exact mechanism of action in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is uncertain.

AIM OF THE STUDY

To evaluate the in vitro and in vivo effects of CK extracts on RA and to preliminarily investigate its anti-RA mechanism of action.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The main components of CK extract were analyzed by HPLC method. The effects of CK on the proliferation and apoptosis of human rheumatoid arthritis fibroblast-like synoviocytes (HFLS-RA) cells and the expression of apoptosis-related proteins in HFLS-RA cells were evaluated by CCK8 assay, flow cytometry and WB assay. To verify the anti-RA effect of CK extracts in vivo, a collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) rat model was established. The rats were divided into six groups: normal group, model group, CK high-dose group (1000 mg/kg, CK-H), CK medium-dose group (500 mg/kg, CK-M), CK low-dose group (250 mg/kg, CK-L) and methotrexate-positive drug group (MTX); the drug was administered continuously for 28 days. Body weight changes, joint swelling, arthritis index, bone density, ankle lesions, immune organ index, splenic lesions and inflammatory factor expression were used to evaluate the in vivo anti-RA activity of the extract.

RESULTS

The findings of in vitro experiments showed that 10% CK-containing serum decreased the expression level of Bcl-2, increased the expression levels of Bax and Cleaved Caspase-3 in synovial cells, and prevented TNF-α induced aberrant proliferation and apoptotic antagonism in HFLS-RA cells. According to in vivo studies, CK extract at doses above 250 mg/kg was effective in controlling the levels of inflammatory factors, lowering the arthritis index, and improving foot swelling in CIA rats. When administered at doses up to 1000 mg/kg, CK extract significantly improved synovial lesions, increased bone density, and decreased abnormally elevated immune organ index in CIA rats.

CONCLUSIONS

CK has significant anti-RA activity, and its anti-RA mechanism of action may be related to the regulation of the expression levels of apoptosis related proteins and the promotion of apoptosis in synovial cells.

Extracellular vesicles from medicated plasma of Buyang Huanwu decoction-preconditioned neural stem cells accelerate neurological recovery following ischemic stroke

Introduction: The neurological impairment of survivors after ischemic stroke poses a serious risk to their quality of life and health. Effective therapeutic options are still lacking. Neural stem cells (NSCs) promote neurogenesis via secreted extracellular vesicles (NSC-EVs), which would be a potential therapeutic option, but the insufficient quantity of NSC-EVs in vivo restrains clinical application. Buyang Huanwu Decoction (BHD), a classic traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) decoction, is promising to alleviate neurological impairment after ischemic stroke. It was speculated that BHD might promote neurological recovery through the NSC-EVs. Methods: The medicated plasma of BHD (MP-BHD) was prepared to precondition NSCs and isolate EVs (BHD-NSC-EVs). Middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) models and primary NSCs were administered to evaluate the therapeutic effect. Next-generation sequencing was performed to explore the mechanism. Results: The BHD-NSC-EVs more significantly accelerated neurological recovery after MCAO and promoted NSCs proliferation and differentiation than BHD and NSC-EVs alone. MP-BHD enhanced the largescale generation of BHD-NSC-EVs, which encapsulated functional miRNA and may play critical roles in neurogenesis. Discussion: In replacing BHD or NSCs, the preconditioned NSC-EVs present a more efficient therapeutic strategy for ischemic stroke. Based on the clinical efficacy of TCM, the preconditioning of NSC-derived EVs via the MP of TCM herbs would presents a newly promising therapeutic strategy for neurological diseases.

Exploring the role of Tibetan medicinal formula Qishiwei Zhenzhu Pills (Ranasampel) against diabetes mellitus-linked cognitive impairment of db/db mice through serum pharmacochemistry and microarray data analysis

Background

Diabetes cognitive impairment (DCI) is a common diabetic central nervous system disorder that severely affects the quality of life of patients. Qishiwei Zhenzhu Pills (Ranasampel) is a valuable Tibetan medicine formula with the ability to improve cerebral blood vessels, protect nerves and improve learning and memory, which has also been widely verified in clinical and basic research. Currently, the prevention and treatment of DCI are still in the exploratory research stage, and the use of Ranasampel will provide new ideas and insights for its treatment.

Objective

This study is to explore the absorbed components in serum derived from Ranasampel using serum pharmacochemistry, then identify the potential mechanism of Ranasampel for the treatment of DCI through bioinformatics and microarray data validation.

Methods

The UPLC-Q-Exactive MS/MS-based serum pharmacochemistry method was conducted to identify the main active components in serum containing Ranasampel. Then, these components were used to predict the possible biological targets of Ranasampel and explore the potential targets in treating DCI by overlapping with differentially expressed genes (DEGs) screened from Gene Expression Omnibus datasets. Afterward, the protein-protein interaction network, enrichment analyses, hub gene identification, and co-expression analysis were used to study the potential mechanism of Ranasampel. Particularly, the hub genes and co-expression transcription factors were further validated using hippocampal expression profiles of db/db mice treated with Ranasampel, while the Morris water-maze test and H&E staining were used to assess the spatial learning and memory behaviors and histopathological changes.

Results

Totally, 40 compounds derived from Ranasampel had been identified by serum sample analysis, and 477 genes related to these identified compounds in Ranasampel, 110 overlapping genes were collected by the intersection of Ranasampel target genes and DEGs. Further comprehensive analysis and verification emphasized that the mechanism of Ranasampel treatment of DCI may be related to the improvement of learning and memory function as well as insulin resistance, hyperglycemia-induced neuronal damage, and neuroinflammation.

Conclusion

This study provided useful strategies to explore the potential material basis for compound prescriptions such as Ranasampel. These hub genes and common pathways also provided new ideas for further study of therapeutic targets of DCI and the pharmacological mechanism of Ranasampel.

Pharmacokinetic herb-drug interactions: Altered systemic exposure and tissue distribution of ciprofloxacin, a substrate of multiple transporters, after combined treatment with Polygonum capitatum Buch.-Ham. ex D. Don extracts

Background: Combination of Polygonum capitatum Buch.-Ham. ex D. Don extract (PCE) and ciprofloxacin (CIP) was commonly prescribed in the treatment of urinary tract infections. Their pharmacokinetic herb-drug interactions (HDIs) were focused in this study to assess potential impact on the safety and effectiveness.

Methods: A randomized, three-period, crossover trial was designed to study the pharmacokinetic HDI between PCE and CIP in healthy humans. Their pharmacokinetic- and tissue distribution-based HDIs were also evaluated in rats. Gallic acid (GA) and protocatechuic acid (PCA) were chosen as PK-markers of PCE in humans and rats. Potential drug interaction mechanisms were revealed by assessing the effects of PCE on the activity and expression of multiple transporters, including OAT1/3, OCT2, MDR1, and BCRP.

Results: Concurrent use of PCE substantially reduced circulating CIP (approximately 40%–50%) in humans and rats, while CIP hardly changed circulating GA and PCA. PCE significantly increased the tissue distribution of CIP in the prostate and testis of rats, but decreased in liver and lungs. Meanwhile, CIP significantly increased the tissue distribution of GA or PCA in the prostate and testis of rats, but decreased in kidney and heart. In the transporter-mediated in vitro HDI, GA and PCA presented inhibitory effects on OAT1/3 and inductive effects on MDR1 and BCRP.

Conclusion: Multiple transporter-mediated HDI contributes to effects of PCE on the reduced systemic exposure and altered tissue distribution of CIP. More attention should be paid on the potential for PCE-perpetrated interactions.

Ex vivo to in vivo extrapolation of syringic acid and ferulic acid as grape juice proxies for endothelium-dependent vasodilation: Redefining vasoprotective resveratrol of the French paradox

Resveratrol, in wines, has been implicated to be primarily responsible for the French paradox, remaining controversial. Herein, we elucidated the representative vasodilation-increasing polyphenols from concord grape juice (CGJ) using ex vivo-to-in vivo extrapolation (EVIVE). We verified the interference-free antioxidant response of CGJ post-dose supernatant of deproteinated serum (CPSDS, as ex vivo proxy) in isolated aortic rings, and in healthy, and H₂O₂-treated endothelial cells (H-ECs). Syringic acid and ferulic acid (SF) were detected in CGJ and post-dose rat serum (PRS). In isolated aortic rings and H-ECs, polyphenols alone, or in combination, at doses equivalent to those detected in PRS, quantitatively reflected endothelium-dependent vasodilation of CPSDS, as evidenced by nitric oxide (NO) formation-mediated antioxidation-sensitive activation of Src kinase with subsequent PI3/Akt-dependent phosphorylation of endothelial NO synthase. Using EVIVE, SF closely reflected CGJ in coronary flow-mediated vasodilation. Hence, SF application in precision ethnomedicine may redefine antioxidant-sensitive vasoprotective resveratrol of the French paradox.

Astragalus protects PC12 cells from 6-hydroxydopamine-induced neuronal damage: A serum pharmacological study

Accumulating evidence has already indicated that traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) possesses tremendous potential for treating neurodegenerative diseases. Astragalus, also named Huangqi, is a famous traditional medical herb that can be applied to treat cerebral ischemia and prevent neuronal degeneration. Nevertheless, the underlying mechanisms remain largely unexplored. In the present study, Astragalus-containing serum (ASMES) was prepared and added into the culture medium of PC12 cells to explore its neuroprotective effect on 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA)-caused neuronal toxicity. Our data showed that ASMES significantly ameliorated the cellular viability of cultured PC12 cells against the neurotoxicity induced by 6-OHDA (P < 0.05). Moreover, ASMES significantly decreased the cell apoptosis triggered by 6-OHDA (P < 0.01). Furthermore, 2',7'-dichlorofluorescin diacetate assay was performed to detect the changes in oxidative stress, and we showed that 6-OHDA elevated the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), whereas ASMES significantly reversed these changes (P < 0.01). Besides, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) assay showed that ASMES could restore 6-OHDA-damaged MMP in cultured PC12 cells (P < 0.05). In conclusion, Astragalus could protect PC12 cells from 6-OHDA-caused neuronal toxicity, and possibly, the ROS-mediated apoptotic pathway participated in this process. Collectively, our findings provided valuable insights into the potential in treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.

Hugan Qingzhi medication ameliorates free fatty acid-induced L02 hepatocyte endoplasmic reticulum stress by regulating the activation of PKC-δ

Background

Previous studies have found that Hugan Qingzhi tablet (HQT) has significant lipid-lowering and antioxidant effects on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Moreover, the results of proteomic analysis confirmed that various proteins in endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) pathway were activated and recovered by HQT. However, its mechanism remains confused. The purpose of this study was to explore the effects of HQT-medicated serum on hepatic ERS and its relevant mechanisms.

Methods

L02 cells were induced by Free Fatty Acid (FFA) for 24 h to establish a model of hepatic ERS and pretreated with the drug-medicated rat serum for 24 h. Accumulation of intracellular lipid was evaluated using Oil Red O staining and Triglyceride detection kit. The morphological changes of ER were observed by TEM. PKC-δ was silenced by specific siRNA. Western blot and RT-qPCR were applied to detect the expression of markers related to ERS, calcium disorder, steatosis and insulin resistance. The fluorescence of Ca²⁺ influx was recorded using fluorescence spectrophotometer.

Results

HQT-medicated serum significantly decreased the intracellular TG content. Furthermore, it caused significant reduction in the expression of ERS markers and an improvement in ER structure of L02 cells. PKC-δ was activated into phosphorylated PKC-δ in FFA-induced L02 hepatocytes while these changes can be reversed by HQT-medicated serum. Silencing PKC-δ in L02 cells can restore the expression and activity of SERCA2 in ER and down-regulate the expression of IP3R protein to maintain intracellular calcium homeostasis, so as to relieve FFA-induced ERS and its lipid accumulation and insulin resistance.

Conclusions

The results concluded that HQT-medicated serum exerts protective effects against hepatic ERS, steatosis and insulin resistance in FFA-induced L02 hepatocyte. And its potential mechanism might be down-regulating the activation of PKC-δ and stabilization of intracellular calcium.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12906-020-03164-3.

Simultaneous Determination of Five Components of Chaihu-Shugan-San in Beagle Plasma by HPLC-MS/MS and Its Application to a Pharmacokinetic Study after a Single Dose of Chaihu-Shugan-San

Chaihu-shugan-san (CHSGS) has been widely used in China to treat depression and gastrointestinal diseases for thousands of years, but little is known about its pharmacokinetic properties. The purpose of our study is to develop a reliable and sensitive high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) method to detect five components in beagle plasma and study their pharmacokinetic after oral administration of CHSGS in beagles. An Agilent C18 column (2.1 × 150 mm, 3.5 μm) was used to separate the analytes, and the column temperature was maintained at 40°C. A gradient elution procedure was used with solvent A (acetonitrile) and solvent B (0.1% formic acid, aqueous) as mobile phases. The elution procedure was 60% B-10% B (0-3 min) and 10% B-60% B (3.1-4 min). The flow rate was 0.3 mL/min, and the total measurement time was 4 min. Within the determined range, the standard calibration curves of the five analytes had a satisfactory linear relationship (r ² ≥ 0.9923). The recovery rate (n = 6) of the five analytes was between 85.42% and 90.85%, and the matrix effects (n = 6) were between 94.52% and 103.91%. These results show that the validated method could be successfully applied to study the pharmacokinetic in beagles after a single dose of CHSGS.

Shenzhiling Oral Liquid Protects STZ-Injured Oligodendrocyte through PI3K/Akt-mTOR Pathway

White matter degeneration and demyelination are nonnegligible pathological manifestations of Alzheimer's disease (AD). The damage of myelin sheath consisting of oligodendrocytes is the basis of AD's unique early lesions. Shenzhiling oral liquid (SZL) was the effective Chinese herbal compound approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of AD in China, which plays the exact therapeutic role in clinical AD patients. However, its molecular mechanism remains unclear to date. For this purpose, an in vitro mode of streptozotocin- (STZ-) induced rat oligodendrocyte OLN-93 cell injury was established to mimic the pathological changes of myelin sheath of AD and investigate the mechanism of SZL protecting injured OLN-93 cell. The results showed that STZ can decrease cell viability and downregulate the activity of PI3K/Akt-mTOR signalling pathway and the expression of myelin sheath-related proteins (MBP, MOG, and PLP) in OLN-93 cells. Both SZL-medicated serum and donepezil (positive control) can protect cells from STZ-caused damage. SZL-medicated serum increased OLN-93 cell viability in a dose- and time-dependent manner and enhanced the activity of PI3K/Akt-mTOR signalling pathway. The inhibitor of PI3K (LY294002) inhibited the protective effect of SZL-medicated serum on the STZ-injured OLN-93 cells. Furthermore, rapamycin, the inhibitor of mTOR, inhibited the promotion of cell viability and upregulation of p-mTOR and MBP caused by SZL-medicated serum. In conclusion, our data indicate that SZL plays its therapeutic role on AD by promoting PI3K/Akt-mTOR signalling pathway of oligodendrocytes. Thus, the present study may facilitate the therapeutic research of AD.

Study on the absorption of corosolic acid in the gastrointestinal tract and its metabolites in rats

Corosolic acid (CRA) has been widely used as a food supplement. However, its pharmacokinetic behavior still needs to be explored. In this study, the absorption of CRA in stomach and intestine were investigated by in situ gastric absorption and in situ single-pass perfusion, respectively. Furthermore, the metabolites of CRA in rat plasma, bile, and urine were identified by UPLC-QTOF-MS. The enzymes responsible for its metabolism were explored by rat liver microsome (RLMs). The effects of plasma containing metabolites on cancer cell growth and glucose consumption were evaluated by HT29 and HepG2 cells receptively. The results showed that CRA absorption rate is approximately 20% to 40% in stomach. It has similar absorption rate constant (Ka) in duodenum/jejunum/ileum/colon. However, its effective permeability (P_eff) in ileum at 9 μg/mL is significantly higher than the P_eff in colon. Moreover, five possible metabolites were identified in plasma and bile, suggesting CRA could be metabolized through methyl carboxylation, hydroxylation, methyl aldehyde substitution, glucuronidation, and acetylation in vivo. Meanwhile, CYP1A2 and CYP3A4 were found to participate in its metabolism. The plasma containing metabolites of CRA significantly inhibited the growth of HT29 colon cancer cells and stimulated glucose consumption of HepG2 cells. Taken together, these results demonstrated that CRA has good absorption in both stomach and small intestine, but it could be metabolized partly due to CYP1A2 and CYP3A4 in vivo. Its metabolites might be responsible for the excellent anti-cancer and anti-diabetes activities of CRA. This study will provide evidence for further CRA development.

Estrogenic Effects of the Extracts from the Chinese Yam (Dioscorea opposite Thunb.) and Its Effective Compounds in Vitro and in Vivo

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to explore the estrogenic effects of the extracts from Chinese yam and its effective compounds.

METHODS

The activity of the yam was investigated by the uterine weight gain of mice and a proliferation assay of breast cancer cell lines (MCF-7 cell); the estrogenic activity was comprehensively evaluated by a serum pharmacology experiment. The levels of estradiol (E2), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), and luteinizing hormone (LH) were also measured. Western blot analysis and antagonist assays with faslodex (ICI182,780), methylpiperidino-pyrazole (MPP), Delta (9) -tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), and G-15 were used to explore the mechanism of the effects of the yam. To find the effective compounds of the yam which play a role in its estrogen-like effects, we used the same methods to study the effects of adenosine and arbutin.

RESULTS

The Chinese yam and two main compounds, adenosine and arbutin, have estrogen-like effects. The mechanism of the yam which plays a role in its estrogen-like effects was mainly mediated by the estrogen receptors ERα, ERβ, and GPR30; that of adenosine was mainly mediated by estrogen receptors ERα and ERβ, and that of arbutin was mainly mediated by estrogen receptors ERβ and GPR30.

CONCLUSIONS

The Chinese yam has estrogen-like effects; adenosine and arbutin are two of the effective compounds in the yam which play a role in its estrogen-like effects.

Effect of Fagonia arabica on thrombin induced release of t-PA and complex of PAI-1 tPA in cultured HUVE cells

Fagonia arabica (FA) possesses a thrombolytic property which has been earlier reported in our laboratory. Current study was undertaken to investigate the effect of aqueous extract of FA on thrombin-induced tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) release from cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cell line (HUVE) for studying its clot lytic activity. For this, establishment of cell line model has been done by isolating the cells from human umbilical cord. Cell toxicity was evaluated using XTT assay. Estimation of t-PA and PAI-1 t-PA complex were done using ELISA technique. Thrombin treatment induces the t-PA and PAI-1 release from HUVE cell line, and FA treatment was found to antagonize the thrombin induced t-PA and PAI-1 release. Our preliminary results suggest that FA may be used as an alternative to thrombolytic drug. However, study demands further experiments using animal model of thrombosis to establish the role of FA as a novel thrombolytic drug.

Fuzheng Qingjie Granules Inhibit Growth of Hepatoma Cells via Inducing Mitochondria-Mediated Apoptosis and Enhancing Immune Function

Fuzheng Qingjie (FZQJ) granules, a compound Chinese medicine, have been used as an adjuvant therapy for alimentary tract cancers. However, the underlying anticancer mechanisms are still not well understood. In the present study, HepG2 cells were treated with FZQJ-containing serum. Cell proliferation was evaluated using MTT assay. Apoptosis was analyzed using a flow cytometer. Cell ultrastructure was observed under a transmission electron microscope. The mitochondrial membrane potential (Δψ) was examined with JC-1 dye. In H22 tumor-bearing mice, CD4⁺ T cells, CD8⁺ T cells, CD3⁺ T cells, and natural killer (NK) cells in peripheral blood were evaluated cytometrically. Interleukin (IL)-2 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α levels were measured using radioimmunoassay.The mRNA levels of Bax and Bcl-2 were examined by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. The protein levels of Bax, Bcl-2, cytochrome C, caspase 3 and 9, PARP, and CD69 were examined by Western blotting. The apoptotic cells in tissues were observed using TUNEL method. Alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and creatinine (CRE) were detected by an automatic biochemical analyzer. The results showed that FZQJ-containing serum remarkably inhibited proliferation of HepG2 cells in dose- and time-dependent manners, induced HepG2 cell apoptosis and caused a decrease of Δψ. Analysis of tumor tissue showed that FZQJ-induced apoptosis was accompanied by downregulation of Bcl-2 and upregulation of Bax, release of cytochrome c, activation of caspase 3 and 9, and cleavage of PARP. In addition, FZQJ increased the percentages of CD4⁺ T and NK cells, the ratio of CD4⁺/CD8⁺ T cells as well as the levels of serum TNF-α. FZQJ also increased CD69 expression in tumor tissue. No hepatorenal toxicity was observed in H22 tumor-bearing mice. These results indicated that FZQJ could inhibit the growth of hepatoma cells via regulating immune function and inducing mitochondria mediated apoptosis.

Buyang Huanwu Decoction Vigorously Rescues PC12 Cells Against 6-OHDA-Induced Neurotoxicity via Akt/GSK3β Pathway Based on Serum Pharmacology Methodology

Buyang Huanwu decoction (BYHWD), as a popular traditional Chinese medicine formula, was widely used for treating ischemic diseases. However, in the area of neurodegenerative diseases, the researches focused on BYHWD are rare but promising, and molecular mechanisms underlying are largely elusive. 6-Hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA), a dopaminergic-specific neurotoxin, is extensively used to establish neurotoxic model in vivo and in vitro. In our present study, we prepared drug-containing serum of BYHWD (Buyang Huanwu drug-containing serum [BYHWS]) based on serum pharmacology methodology. Neurotoxic model in vitro was established in PC12 cells, and innovative experimental grouping method was adopted to investigate neuroprotective effects of BYHWS on neurotoxicity induced by 6-OHDA exposure. Remarkably, BYHWS vigorously rescued PC12 cells from 6-OHDA-induced neurotoxicity even to surpass 100% in cell viability. Moreover, Hoechst/propidium iodide (PI) staining revealed that cell apoptotic rate was reduced significantly after incubation of BYHWS. Besides, BYHWS effectively restored the disruption of mitochondrial membrane potential and attenuated the elevation of intracellular reactive oxygen species level caused by 6-OHDA insult. Furthermore, BYHWS remarkably reversed the dephosphorylation of Akt (protein kinase B) and glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK3β) evoked by 6-OHDA. The above protective effects were attenuated by coculturing with Akt inhibitor LY294002. In summary, we concluded that the BYHWS vigorously blocked 6-OHDA-induced neurotoxicity via Akt/GSK3β pathway and provided a novel insight into roles of BYHWD in the clinical practices on neurodegenerative diseases.

Anti-metastatic effect and mechanisms of Wenshen Zhuanggu Formula in human breast cancer cells

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Wenshen Zhuanggu Formula (WSZG), a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) empirical prescription, has been used to treat the patients with breast cancer bone metastasis as an adjuvant in clinical practice. To explore the anti-metastatic activity and potential mechanisms of WSZG-containing serum (WSZG-CS) on highly bone-metastatic human breast cancer MDA-MB-231BO cells.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

MDA-MB-231BO cells were cultured alone or co-cultured with bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs). Invasion assays were carried out in Matrigel-coated Transwell chambers. CC chemokine 5 (CCL5) and interleukin (IL)-17B secretion levels were detected by ELISA. CCR5 and IL-17BR protein expression levels were determined by immunocytochemistry and Western blot analysis.

RESULTS

Compared with control serum, WSZG-CS significantly inhibited BMSC induced MDA-MB-231BO breast cancer cell invasion, reduced CCL5 and IL-17B levels in co-culture supernatants, and downregulated CCR5 and IL-17BR protein expression in breast cancer cells co-cultured with BMSCs.

CONCLUSIONS

WSZG-CS exerts an anti-metastatic activity against MDA-MB-231BO breast cancer cells, due to its ability to mitigate the interaction between BMSCs and breast cancer cells mediated via the CCL5/CCR5 and IL-17B/IL-17BR signaling pathways.

Application of serum pharmacology in evaluating the antitumor effect of Fuzheng Yiliu Decoction from Chinese medicine

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the feasibility of serum pharmacology in evaluating the antitumor effect of Chinese medicine (CM) of Fuzheng Guben (supporting the healthy energy and strengthening the body's resistance to pathogens), the effects of Fuzheng Yiliu Decoction (FYD), a typical prescription of Fuzheng Guben, on proliferation and apoptosis of hepatoma cells in vitro were observed by two methods with serum pharmacology and traditional pharmacology, respectively.

METHODS

HepG2 cells were treated with FYD-containing serum or crude FYD extract in vitro. The proliferation rate was determined by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay. Cell cycle and apoptosis rate was performed by flow cytometry. And the levels of interleukin-2 (IL-2) and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) in FYD-containing serum were detected by radioimmunoassay.

RESULTS

FYD-containing serum remarkably inhibited proliferation and induced apoptosis of hepatoma cells at least by promoting the production of IL-2 and TNF-α in vivo. On the contrary, crude FYD extract promoted the proliferation and did not induce cell apoptosis.

CONCLUSION

The results by serum pharmacology were accordant with those of our previous animal and clinical trials which indicates that serum pharmacology is a reasonable and feasible method for the evaluation of the antitumor effect of herbs of Fuzheng Guben.

The application of Chinese medicine to novel drug discovery

INTRODUCTION

The apparent productivity crisis in the pharmaceutical industry and the economic and political rise of China have contributed to renewed interest in the application of Chinese medicine for drug discovery.

AREAS COVERED

The author presents an overview of the historical development and basic principles of theory and practice of Chinese herbal medicine, its materia medica and prescription formulas, and discusses the motivation for and rationale of its application to drug discovery. Furthermore, the author distinguishes the five main approaches to drug discovery from Chinese herbal medicine, based on the decreasing amount and detail of historical and clinical Chinese medicine knowledge that informed the research effort.

EXPERT OPINION

Many compounds that have been isolated from the Chinese materia medica exhibit pharmacological activities comparable to pharmaceutical drugs. With the exception of the antimalarial drug artemisinin, however, this knowledge has not led to the successful development of new drugs outside of China. The chance of success in a Chinese medicine-based drug discovery effort will be increased by consideration of the empirical knowledge that has been documented over many centuries in the historical materia medica and prescription literature. Most Chinese medicine-derived compounds affect more than one target and do not correspond to the one compound/one-target drug discovery paradigm. A new frontier is opening up with the development of drugs consisting of combinations of multiple compounds acting on multiple targets under the paradigm of network pharmacology. The ancient practice of combining multiple drugs in prescription formulas can serve as inspirational analogy and a practical guide.

Effects and mechanisms of total Panax notoginseng saponins on proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells with plasma pharmacology method

OBJECTIVES

Total Panax notoginseng saponin (TPNS) is extracted from Panax notoginseng. Our previous studies suggested that TPNS could inhibit intimal hyperplasia. This study discussed the impact of TPNS on the proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) and revealed the associated mechanisms through cell cycle-related factors and extracellular regulated protein kinase (ERK) signal transduction pathway.

METHODS

A VSMC proliferation model induced by platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) was established to observe the effects of rat drug-containing plasma on VSMC proliferation.

KEY FINDINGS

After being stimulated by PDGF, the proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and c-fos content increased, while up-regulation of cyclinD1, cyclin-dependent kinase-4 (CDK4) and down-regulation of p21 protein were observed. These changes were inhibited by atorvastatin and TSPN drug-containing plasma, and the inhibitive activity in both groups was not significant. Furthermore, both atorvastatin and TSPN could obviously inhibit the activation of PDGF-induced P-ERK1/2 and increase the content of MKP-1, there were also no significant differences.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggested that atorvastatin and TPNS could inhibit VSMC proliferation by inhibiting the activation of ERK signalling pathway.

The effects of BuYang HuanWu Decoction and its effective components on proliferation-related factors and ERK1/2 signal transduction pathway in cultured vascular smooth muscle cells

Buyang Huanwu Decoction (BYHWD) was a commonly used traditional Chinese medicine for the treatment and prevention of ischemic cardiovascular and cerebral disease. Previous studies had shown that BYHWD alkaloids and glycosides could inhibit intimal hyperplasia and vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) proliferation after injury caused by balloon catheter. The present study aims to explore the mechanisms by which cell cycle was affected by BYHWD and its components. Primary rat VSMC was treated with platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) and cell cycle phase and extracellular-signal regulated protein kinase (ERK) transduction pathway factors were measured. PDGF-treated cells were associated with a significant increase in the number of cells in the G(2)/M phase and S phase, and in the expression of P-ERK1/2, proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), c-fos, cyclinD(1) and cyclin-dependent kinase-4, as well as a decrease in the number of cells in the G(0)/G(1) phase, and in the expression of cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor P21 protein and mitogen-activated protein kinase phosphatase-1 (MKP-1). Treatment with plasma of rats fed seven doses of BYHWD crude extract (22.2g/kg), BYHWD alkaloids (1.66g/kg), BYHWD glycosides (14.2g/kg) or the negative control atorvastatin (20mg/kg) inhibited these changes. All drug-containing plasma had similar activity to the mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK)/ERK antagonist PD098059 which inhibited PDGF-induced expression of P-ERK1/2 and enhanced MKP-1. These suggest that BYHWD and its components may prevent VSMC proliferation by interfering with the ERK transduction pathway.