Metabolomics coupled with multivariate data and pathway analysis on potential biomarkers in gastric ulcer and intervention effects of Corydalis yanhusuo alkaloid

Qi-Zhi-Wei-Tong granules alleviates chronic non-atrophic gastritis in mice by altering the gut microbiota and bile acid metabolism

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

In traditional Chinese medicine, Qi-zhi-wei-tong granule (QZWT) significantly reduced the major gastrointestinal and psychological symptoms of functional dyspepsia.

AIM OF THE STUDY

We aimed to explore the therapeutic effect of QZWT treated chronic non-atrophic gastritis (CNAG) and to elucidate its potential mechanism.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The composition of QZWT was analysed by UPLC-Q/TOF-MS. The CNAG mice model was established by chronic restraint stress (CRS) in combination with iodoacetamide (IAA). Morphological staining was utilized to reveal the impact of QZWT on stomach and gut integrity. RT‒qPCR and ELISA were used to measure proinflammatory cytokines in the stomach, colon tissues and serum of CNAG mice. Next-generation sequencing of 16 S rDNA was applied to analyse the gut microbiota community of faecal samples. Finally, we investigated the faecal bile acid composition using GC‒MS.

RESULTS

Twenty-one of the compounds from QZWT were successfully identified by UPLC-Q/TOF-MS analysis. QZWT enhanced gastric and intestinal integrity and suppressed inflammatory responses in CNAG mice. Moreover, QZWT treatment reshaped the gut microbiota structure by increasing the levels of the Akkermansia genus and decreasing the populations of the Desulfovibrio genus in CNAG mice. The alteration of gut microbiota was associated with gut bacteria BA metabolism. In addition, QZWT reduced BAs and especially decreased conjugated BAs in CNAG mice. Spearman's correlation analysis further confirmed the links between the changes in the gut microbiota and CNAG indices.

CONCLUSIONS

QZWT can effectively inhibited gastrointestinal inflammatory responses of CNAG symptoms in mice; these effects may be closely related to restoring the balance of the gut microbiota and regulating BA metabolism to protect the gastric mucosa. This study provides a scientific reference for the pathogenesis of CNAG and the mechanism of QZWT treatment.

The composition, pharmacological effects, related mechanisms and drug delivery of alkaloids from Corydalis yanhusuo

Corydalis yanhusuo W. T. Wang, also known as yanhusuo, yuanhu, yanhu and xuanhu, is one of the herb components of many Chinese Traditional Medicine prescriptions such as Jin Ling Zi San and Yuanhu-Zhitong priscription. C. yanhusuo was traditionally used to relieve pain and motivate blood and Qi circulation. Now there has been growing interest in pharmacological effects of alkaloids, the main bioactive components of C. yanhusuo. Eighty-four alkaloids isolated from C. yanhusuo are its important bioactive components and can be characterized into protoberberine alkaloids, aporphine alkaloids, opiate alkaloids and others and proper extraction or co-administration methods modulate their contents and efficacy. Alkaloids from C. yanhusuo have various pharmacological effects on the nervous system, cardiovascular system, cancer and others through multiple molecular mechanisms such as modulating neurotransmitters, ion channels, gut microbiota, HPA axis and signaling pathways and are potential treatments for many diseases. Plenty of novel drug delivery methods such as autologous red blood cells, self-microemulsifying drug delivery systems, nanoparticles and others have also been investigated to better exert the effects of alkaloids from C. yanhusuo. This review summarized the alkaloid components of C. yanhusuo, their pharmacological effects and mechanisms, and methods of drug delivery to lay a foundation for future investigations.

Metabolomics approach of Symphyotrichum squamatum ethanol extract and its nano-Ag formulation protective effect on gastric ulcer via bio-chemical and pathological analyses

ContextGastric ulcer (GU) a widely distributed ailment is associated with many causes, including alcohol consumption.Materials and MethodsChemical profiling of Symphyotrichum squamatum ethanol extract (SSEE) was established via ultra-performance liquid chromatography/quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-qTOF-MS) and employed in a silver nano-formulation (SSEE-N-Ag). SSEE and SSEE-N-Ag antiulcer activities were estimated against ethanol-induced rats by biochemical, histological, and metabolomics assessments. Reduced glutathione, total antioxidant capacity and prostaglandin E2 levels and gastric mucosa histopathological examination were analysed. The rats' metabolome changing alongside action pathways were elucidated via metabolite profile coupled to multivariate data analysis.ResultsUPLC-MS profiling of SSEE identified 75 components belonging to various classes. Compared with control, EtOH-treated rats showed decreased of tissue GSH, TAC and PGE2 by 62.32%, 51.85% and 47.03% respectively. SSEE and SSEE-N-Ag administration mitigated biochemical and histopathological alterations. Serum metabolomics analysis revealed for changes in several low molecular weight metabolites with ulcer development. These metabolites levels were restored to normal post-administration of SSEE-N-Ag. SSEE-N-Ag as mediated via modulating numerous metabolic pathways such as lipids, pyrimidine, energy metabolism and phosphatidylinositol signalling. This study provides novel insight for metabolic mechanisms underlying gastric ulcer relieving effect.ConclusionPresent results revealed potential antiulcer effect of SSEE and SSEE-N-Ag by decreasing ulcer-associated syndromes, supporting their anti-ulcerogenic action.

Down-regulation of TP53 is a highlighted molecular event in gastric ulcer

AIM

The current study explored the crucial dysregulate proteins and biochemical pathways in gastric ulcer as its main aim.

BACKGROUND

Gastric ulcer as an acid-related gastrointestinal disease is known as one of the most public gastrointestinal disorders.

METHODS

A total of 100 proteins from STRING database were analyzed by Cytoscape and its applications to find the central proteins and the related biochemical pathways. Action map analysis was applied to explore regulatory relationships between the critical proteins.

RESULTS

Network analysis and gene ontology revealed that IL6, ALB, TNF, INS, IL1B, IL10, TP53, CXCL8, and PTGS2 are the highlighted proteins related to gastric ulcer. Six clusters of biochemical pathways, namely "response to external stimulus," "multicellular organismal process," "regulation of biological quality," "cellular response to stimulus," "cellular response to chemical stimulus," and "transport" were identified as the dysregulated pathway in patients.

CONCLUSION

Down-regulation of TP53 by IL2, PTGS2, and TNF seems to be a main process occurring in gastric ulcer patients.

Pithecellobium clypearia: Amelioration Effect on Imiquimod-Induced Psoriasis in Mice Based on a Tissue Metabonomic Analysis

Pithecellobium clypearia Benth. (accepted name: Archidendron clypearia (Jack) I.C.Nielsen; Mimosaceae), a popular traditional Chinese medicine, has a significant anti-inflammatory effect. The crude water extract of the aerial part of P. clypearia has been clinically applied to treat upper respiratory tract infections, acute gastroenteritis, laryngitis, and pharyngitis. However, the therapeutic mechanism of ethanol fraction of water extract (ESW) of P. clypearia to treat psoriasis should be complemented. The aim of our research was to clarify the protective effects of ESW from P. clypearia against psoriasis-like skin inflammation induced by imiquimod (IMQ) in mice with efficacy indexes and target tissue (spleen and serum) metabolomics. The ingredient of ESW was analyzed by ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography combined with tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) method. The imiquimod-induced psoriatic mouse model was employed to investigate the effect of ESW against psoriasis, where the treatment method was implemented for 6 days both topically (Gel at 5%) and orally (at 2.4 g/kg p.o.). Traditional pharmacodynamic indicators (phenotypic characteristics, psoriasis area and severity index (PASI) score, H&E staining, immunohistochemical staining, the thickness of epidermis, body weight change, and spleen index) were conducted to appraise the efficacy of ESW. Furthermore, a gas chromatography-mass spectrometer (GC-MS) coupled with multivariate analysis was integrated and applied to obtain serum and spleen metabolic profiles for clarifying metabolic regulatory mechanisms of ESW. The current study illustrated that ESW is composed mainly of gallic acid, ethyl gallate, quercitin, 7-O-galloyltricetiflavan, quercetin, and myricetin by UHPLC-MS/MS analysis. ESW could distinctly improve IMQ-induced psoriasis in mouse through reducing PASI score, alleviating tissue damage, restoring spleen index, and inhibiting proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) expression in psoriasis-like skin tissue. From the metabolomics study, 23 markers with significant changes are involved in eight main pathways in spleen and serum samples, including linoleic acid metabolism and glycine, serine, and threonine metabolism. The current study showed that ESW had obvious antipsoriasis effects on IMQ-induced psoriasis in mice, which might be attributed to regulating the dysfunction of differential biomarkers and related pathways. In summary, ESW of P. clypearia showed a favourable therapeutic effect on IMQ-induced psoriasis, and metabolomics provided insights into the mechanisms of ESW to the treatment of psoriasis.

Alkaloids as Anticancer Agents: A Review of Chinese Patents in Recent 5 Years

BACKGROUND

In recent years, many novel alkaloids with anticancer activity have been found in China, and some of them are promising for developing as anticancer agents.

OBJECTIVE

This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the information about alkaloid anticancer agents disclosed in Chinese patents, and discusses their potential to be developed as anticancer drugs used clinically.

METHODS

Anticancer alkaloids disclosed in Chinese patents in recent 5 years were presented according to their mode of actions. Their study results published on PubMed, and SciDirect databases were presented.

RESULTS

More than one hundred anticancer alkaloids were disclosed in Chinese patents and their mode of action referred to arresting cell cycle, inhibiting protein kinases, affecting DNA synthesis and p53 expression, etc. Conclusion: Many newly found alkaloids displayed potent anticancer activity both in vitro and in vivo, and some of the anticancer alkaloids acted as protein kinase inhibitors or CDK inhibitors possess the potential for developing as novel anticancer agents.

Metabolites profiling and pharmacokinetics of troxipide and its pharmacodynamics in rats with gastric ulcer

Troxipide is widely used to treat gastric ulcer (GU) in the clinic. However, a lack of systematic metabolic, pharmacokinetic and pharmacological studies limits its clinical use. This study aimed to firstly explore the metabolic, pharmacokinetic and pharmacological mechanisms of troxipide in rats with GU compared to normal control (NC) rats. First, metabolic study was perormed by a highly selective, high-resolution mass spectrometry method. A total of 45 metabolites, including 9 phase I metabolites and 36 phase II metabolites, were identified based on MS/MS spectra. Subsequently, the pharmacokinetics results suggested that the Cmax, Ka, t1/2, AUC(0-t) and AUC(0-∞) of troxipide were significantly increased in rats with GU compared with NC rats. The Vz, K10 and absolute bioavailability of troxipide were obviously decreased in rats with GU compared with NC rats, and its tissue distribution (in the liver, lung and kidney) was significantly different between the two groups of rats. Additionally, the pharmacodynamic results suggested that the levels of biochemical factors (IL-17, IL-6, TNF-α, IFN-γ, AP-1, MTL, GAS, and PG-II) were significantly increased, the PG-Ӏ level was obviously decreased, and the protein expression levels of HSP-90, C-Cas-3 and C-PARP-1 were markedly increased in rats with GU compared with NC rats. The above results suggested that the therapeutic mechanisms underlying the metabolic, pharmacokinetic and pharmacological properties of troxipide in vivo in rats deserve further attention based on the importance of troxipide in the treatment of GU in this study, and these mechanisms could be targets for future studies.

Comparison of the Chemical Composition and Biological Activity of Mature and Immature Honey: An HPLC/QTOF/MS-Based Metabolomic Approach

Harvesting uncapped immature honey (IMH) followed by dehydration is a typical counterfeit honey production process, but the differences between IMH and capped mature honey (MH) have not been well described previously. In this study, MH and IMH from Apis mellifera colonies during the same rapeseed flower season were compared. MH was found to have lower water content, lower acidity, and higher fructose content. High-performance liquid chromatography combined with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry-based untargeted metabolomic analysis indicated that MH had a distinct metabolite composition to IMH. Targeted metabolomic analysis on 20 major polyphenolic constituents showed higher accumulation in MH. MH had greater bacteriostatic effect and stronger free radical scavenging effect. While both the honeys mitigated cell damage caused by H₂O₂, the effective dosage of IMH was higher and its inducing effect on the antioxidant gene expression was weaker. Overall, MH was shown to be of better quality than IMH not only because of its richer polyphenolic composition but also because of its stronger biological activity.

Regulation of color transition in purple tea (Camellia sinensis)

Comparative proteomics and metabolomics study of juvenile green, light purple and dark purple leaf to identify key proteins and metabolites that putatively govern color transition in Camellia sinensis. Color transition from juvenile green to dark purple leaf in Camellia sinensis is a complex process and thought to be regulated by an intricate balance of genes, proteins and metabolites expression. A molecular-level understanding of proteins and metabolites expression is needed to define metabolic process underpinning color transition in C. sinensis. Here, purple leaf growth of C. sinensis cultivar was divided into three developmental stages viz. juvenile green (JG), light purple (LP) and dark purple (DP) leaf. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) analysis revealed a clear morphological variation such as cell size, shape and texture as tea leaf undergoing color transition. Proteomic and metabolomic analyses displayed the temporal changes in proteins and metabolites that occur in color transition process. In total, 211 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) were identified presumably involved in secondary metabolic processes particularly, flavonoids/anthocyanin biosynthesis, phytohormone regulation, carbon and nitrogen assimilation and photosynthesis, among others. Subcellular localization of three candidate proteins was further evaluated by their transient expression in planta. Interactome study revealed that proteins involved in primary metabolism, precursor metabolite, photosynthesis, phytohormones, transcription factor and anthocyanin biosynthesis were found to be interact directly or indirectly and thus, regulate color transition from JG to DP leaf. The present study not only corroborated earlier findings but also identified novel proteins and metabolites that putatively govern color transition in C. sinensis. These findings provide a platform for future studies that may be utilized for metabolic engineering/molecular breeding in an effort to develop more desirable traits.

Multi-pathway integrated adjustment mechanism of licorice flavonoids presenting anti-inflammatory activity

Glycyrrhiza, commonly known as licorice, is a herbal medicine that has been used for thousands of years. Licorice contains multiple flavonoids, which possess a variety of biological activities. On the basis of the anti-inflammatory effects of licorice flavonoids, the potential mechanism of action was investigated via a plasma metabolomics approach. A total of 9 differential endogenous metabolites associated with the therapeutic effect of licorice flavonoids were identified, including linoleic acid, sphingosine, tryptophanamide, corticosterone and leukotriene B4. Besides classical arachidonic acid metabolism, metabolism of sphingolipids, tryptophan and fatty acids, phospholipids synthesis, and other pathways were also involved. The multi-pathway integrated adjustment mechanism of licorice flavonoid action may reduce side effects in patients, along with any anti-inflammatory functions, which provides a foundation for identifying and developing novel, high-potential natural drugs with fewer side effects for clinical application.

A new method to evaluate the dose-effect relationship of a TCM formula Gegen Qinlian Decoction: "Focus" mode of integrated biomarkers

It is difficult to accurately evaluate the efficacy of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), which leads to the uncertainty and complexity of dose-effect analysis. In this study we established the "Focus" mode of biomarkers to characterize the dose-effect relationship of Gegen Qinlian Decoction (GQD), a TCM formula for treating type 2 diabetes mellitus (2-DM). A rat model of 2-DM was established through high fat diet feeding combined with low-dose STZ injection. Rats with 2-DM were administered high, middle or low doses (6.785, 4.071, 1.357 mg·kg^-1·d^-1, respectively) of GQD extract for 60 d. Metformin (300 mg·kg^-1·d^-1) was taken as the positive control. Blood samples were collected to assess serum biochemical indexes and metabolic profiling. After "Focus" analysis, the biochemical index triglycerides (TG) and insulin sensitivity (ISI) were identified as focused integrated biomarkers (FIBs), while arachidonic acid and docosatetraenoic acid were the metabolic FIBs. Dose-effect relationship curves of GQD were built based on these types of FIBs. Furthermore, the two dose-effect relationship curves showed similar trends with the middle dosage displaying the greatest efficacy, suggesting that insulin function and arachidonic acid metabolism played important roles in 2-DM and the responses to GQD. The metabolic FIB docosatetraenoic should be further explored for understanding its involvement in the process of 2-DM occurrence and the treatment. This "Focus" mode provides a novel strategy to evaluate the dose-effect relationship of a TCM. The system and concepts established here may also be applicable for assessing the dose-effect relationships of Western medicines.

Comprehensive metabonomic analysis of heart tissue from isoproterenol-induced myocardial infarction rat based on reversed-phase and hydrophilic interaction chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry

We aim to describe the metabonomic characteristics of myocardial infarction rats. High-performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry was utilized to develop a metabonomic method of the heart homogenates of myocardial infarction rats. Hydrophilic interaction chromatography allows the analysis of high polar metabolites, providing complementary information to reversed-phase liquid chromatography. We combined reversed phase and hydrophilic interaction chromatographic separations to analyze 18 samples, ten from myocardial infarction rat hearts and eight from normal rat hearts. A total of 16 potential biomarkers in rat heart tissue were screened out, primarily related to oxidative stress, nitric oxide damage, taurine, and hypotaurine metabolism and sphingolipid metabolism. This research showed that a comprehensive metabonomic study is a useful tool to reveal the underlying mechanism of myocardial infarction.

Multipathway Integrated Adjustment Mechanism of Glycyrrhiza Triterpenes Curing Gastric Ulcer in Rats

Background:

Gastric ulcer is a common chronic disease in human digestive system, which is difficult to cure, easy to relapse, and endangers human health seriously. Compared with western medicine, traditional Chinese medicine has a unique advantage in improving the general situation, stablizing medical condition, and with little side effects. Glycyrrhiza known as “king of all the medicine”, has a range of pharmacological activities and is commonly used in a variety of proprietary Chinese medicines and formulations.

Objective:

On the basis of explicit antiulcer effect of Glycyrrhiza triterpenes, the molecular mechanisms of its therapeutic effect on acetic acid induced gastric ulcer in rats were explored.

Materials and Methods:

Acetic acid induced gastric ulcer model in rats was established to evaluate the curing effect of G. triterpenes and all of the rats were randomised into six groups: Control group, model group, omeprazole group (0.8 mg/mL), triterpenes high dose group (378.0 mg/mL), triterpenes middle dose group (126.0 mg/mL), and triterpenes low dose group (42.0 mg/mL). All rats in groups were orally administered the active group solution 1.5 mL once daily (model and control groups with saline) for 7 days. HPLC-TOF-MS analysis method was performed to obtain the plasma metabolites spectrums of control group, model group, triterpenes high, middle and low dose groups.

Results:

A total of 11 differential endogenous metabolites related to the therapeutic effect of G. triterpenes were identified, including tryptophan, phingosine-1-phosphate, pantothenic acid, and so on, among which tryptophan and phingosine-1-phosphate are related with the calcium signaling pathway and arachidonic acid (AA) metabolism. At the same time, in order to verify the above results, quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction were performed to evaluate the expression of H⁺-K⁺-ATPase alpha mRNA and phospholipase a 2 mRNA in relational signaling pathways. Combined with statistical analysis of plasma metabolic spectrum and gene expression in tissue, it is suggested that G. triterpenes has antiulcer effect on gastric ulcer in rats.

Conclusion:

G. triterpenes has a certain regulating effect on the metabolism of tryptophan, AA, sphingosine, and other endogenous metabolites, and we speculated that the antiulcer potential of G. triterpenes can be primarily attributed to its inhibiting gastric acid secretion, reducing the release of inflammatory mediators, and protecting gastric mucosa effects to prevent the further development of gastric ulcer.

SUMMARY

G. triterpenes can obviously relieve the symptoms of gastric ulcer, especially the low dose group.

G. triterpenes can effectively regulate the amount of small molecule metablism in gastric ulcer rats in vivo, including tryptophan, phingosine-1-phosphate, etc.

G. triterpenes resisting gastric ulcer is probably by regulating arachidonic acid metabolism, sphingosine metabolism, etc.

Down-regulation of H+-K+-ATPase alpha subunit mRNA and up-regulation of PLA₂ mRNA in gastric tissue of dose group validated the possible mechanisms of G. triterpenes for the treatment of gastric ulcer

Abbreviations used: HP: Helicobacter pylori, ECL: enterochromaffinlike, TCM: Traditional Chinese medicine; HPLC: High Performance Liquid Chromatography, HPLC/MS: High Performance Liquid chromatography Mass Spectrometry, HPLC-TOF-MS: High Performance Liquid Chromatography and Tof Mass Spectrometry, SD: Sprague Dawley, PCDL: Personal Compound Database and Library, MPP: Mass Profiler Professiona; PCA: principal component analysis, RT-PCR: real time polymerase chain reaction, PGE 2: Prostaglandin E2, COX1: cyclooxygenase 1 S1P: Sphingosine-1-phosphate, AA: Arachidonic acid, 5-HT: 5- hydroxytryptamine.

Multicomponent, multitarget integrated adjustment - Metabolomics study of Qizhiweitong particles curing gastrointestinal motility disorders in mice induced by atropine

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Qizhiweitong particles (QZWT) which is derived from the Sinisan decoction in Shang Han Za Bing Lun, composed of Bupleurum chinenis, Paeonia obovata, Citrus aurantium L., Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch., Cyperus rotundus and Rhizoma Corydalis is a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) treating gastrointestinal diseases. It have been used in clinical for years. It have been used in clinical for years. According to previous research, Bupleurum chinenis, Citrus aurantium, Cyperus rotundus in QZWT play the role of promoting gastric peristalsis, which consist of complex chemical constituents. The aim of this study is to probe the multiple effective components with gastrointestinal prokinetic efficacy in QZWT and investigate the multitarget integrated adjustment mechanism of QZWT curing atropine-induced gastrointestinal motility dysfunction mice.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

One hundred and thirty two male mice were randomly divided into 11 groups, including control group, model group, Domperidone group, Mosapride group, QZWT group and six components groups. With gastric retention rate, rate of small intestine propulsion, serum content of GAS and MTL as indexes to evaluate the curing effect on gastrointestinal movement disorders caused by atropine in mice. A serum metabonomics method based on the ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-QTOF-MS) had been established to investigate the mechanism of QZWT and these components, and PCA and PLS-DA have been used to distinguish different groups and found potential biomarkers.

RESULTS

Four components from six present good prokinetic effects, including Bupleurum Polysaccharide, Citrus aurantium flavonoid, Citrus aurantium essential oil and Cyperus rotundus flavonoids. These components and QZWT regulate 5 potential biomarkers in the body, and primarily involved in 5 metabolic pathways. These potential biomarkers possess direct or indirect connections, each biomarker regulated by multiple components, each component adjusting multiple targets, and QZWT is nearly the sum of its components.

CONCLUSIONS

This experiment deepened our understanding of insufficient gastrointestinal dynamics, confirmed that QZWT treating gastrointestinal disorders was through multicomponent, multitarget ways. These results fully reflect the multiple targets synergy characteristics of TCM.

Drug target identification using network analysis: Taking active components in Sini decoction as an example

Identifying the molecular targets for the beneficial effects of active small-molecule compounds simultaneously is an important and currently unmet challenge. In this study, we firstly proposed network analysis by integrating data from network pharmacology and metabolomics to identify targets of active components in sini decoction (SND) simultaneously against heart failure. To begin with, 48 potential active components in SND against heart failure were predicted by serum pharmacochemistry, text mining and similarity match. Then, we employed network pharmacology including text mining and molecular docking to identify the potential targets of these components. The key enriched processes, pathways and related diseases of these target proteins were analyzed by STRING database. At last, network analysis was conducted to identify most possible targets of components in SND. Among the 25 targets predicted by network analysis, tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) was firstly experimentally validated in molecular and cellular level. Results indicated that hypaconitine, mesaconitine, higenamine and quercetin in SND can directly bind to TNF-α, reduce the TNF-α-mediated cytotoxicity on L929 cells and exert anti-myocardial cell apoptosis effects. We envisage that network analysis will also be useful in target identification of a bioactive compound.

Chemometrics applied to quality control and metabolomics for traditional Chinese medicines

Traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs) bring a great challenge in quality control and evaluating the efficacy because of their complexity of chemical composition. Chemometric techniques provide a good opportunity for mining more useful chemical information from TCMs. Then, the application of chemometrics in the field of TCMs is spontaneous and necessary. This review focuses on the recent various important chemometrics tools for chromatographic fingerprinting, including peak alignment information features, baseline correction and applications of chemometrics in metabolomics and modernization of TCMs, including authentication and evaluation of the quality of TCMs, evaluating the efficacy of TCMs and essence of TCM syndrome. In the conclusions, the general trends and some recommendations for improving chromatographic metabolomics data analysis are provided.

Prescription patterns of traditional Chinese medicine for peptic ulcer disease in Taiwan: A nationwide population-based study

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Peptic ulcer disease is a common digestive disease. There is a lack of large-scale survey on the use of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for the treatment of peptic ulcer disease. This study aimed to investigate the utilization of TCM for the treatment of peptic ulcer disease in Taiwan.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We analyzed a random sample comprised of one million individuals with newly diagnosed peptic ulcer disease between 2001 and 2010 from the National Health Insurance Research Database in Taiwan. Demographic characteristics and TCM usage, including Chinese herbal formulas and the single herbs prescribed for patients with peptic ulcer disease, were analyzed.

RESULTS

A total of 96,624 newly diagnosed subjects with peptic ulcer disease were included. 14,983 (15.5%) patients were TCM users. People residing in highly urbanized areas, younger people and female (compared with male) were more likely to use TCM. With regard to the comorbidities, TCM users had a lower prevalence of coronary artery disease, chronic obstructive lung disease, diabetes mellitus and liver cirrhosis and stroke. The average time between onset of peptic ulcer disease and the first visit to a TCM clinic was 4.7 months. Majority of the patients (n=14,449; 96.4%) received only Chinese herbal remedies. The most frequently prescribed Chinese herbal formula and single herb was Ban-Xia-Xie-Xin-Tang (Pinelliae Decoction to Drain the Epigastrium) and Hai-Piao-Xiao (Os Sepiae), respectively. The core pattern analysis showed that combination of Ban-Xia-Xie-Xin-Tang, Hai-Piao-Xiao (Os Sepiae), Yan-Hu-Suo (Rhizoma Corydalis), Bei-Mu (Bulbus Fritillariae Thunbergii) and Chuan-Lian-Zi (Fructus Toosendan) was most frequently used for peptic ulcer disease.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study identified the core prescription patterns of TCM for patients with peptic ulcer disease in Taiwan. Further basic and clinical studies are necessary to elucidate the efficacy and mechanisms.

Metabolomics and its application to the evaluation of the efficacy and toxicity of traditional Chinese herb medicines

Traditional Chinese herb medicines (TCHMs) have been used in the treatment of a variety of diseases for thousands of years in Asian countries. The active components of TCHMs usually exert combined synergistic therapeutic effects on multiple targets, but with less potential therapeutic effect based on routine indices than Western drugs. These complex effects make the assessment of the efficacy of TCHMs and the clarification of their underlying mechanisms very challenging, and therefore hinder their wider application and acceptance. Metabolomics is a crucial part of systems biology. It allows the quantitative measurement of large numbers of the low-molecular endogenous metabolites involved in metabolic pathways, and thus reflects the fundamental metabolism status of the body. Recently, dozens of metabolomic studies have been devoted to prove the efficacy/safety, explore the underlying mechanisms, and identify the potential biomarkers to access the action targets of TCHMs, with fruitful results. This article presents an overview of these studies, focusing on the progress made in exploring the pharmacology and toxicology of various herbal medicines.

Metabolomics and partial least square discriminant analysis to predict history of myocardial infarction of self-claimed healthy subjects: validity and feasibility for clinical practice

Background

The dynamics of metabolomics in establishing a prediction model using partial least square discriminant analysis have enabled better disease diagnosis; with emphasis on early detection of diseases. We attempted to translate the metabolomics model to predict the health status of the Orang Asli community whom we have little information. The metabolite expressions of the healthy vs. diseased patients (cardiovascular) were compared. A metabotype model was developed and validated using partial least square discriminant analysis (PLSDA). Cardiovascular risks of the Orang Asli were predicted and confirmed by biochemistry profiles conducted concurrently.

Results

Fourteen (14) metabolites were determined as potential biomarkers for cardiovascular risks with receiver operating characteristic of more than 0.7. They include 15S-HETE (AUC = 0.997) and phosphorylcholine (AUC = 0.995). Seven Orang Asli were clustered with the patients’ group and may have ongoing cardiovascular risks and problems. This is supported by biochemistry tests results that showed abnormalities in cholesterol, triglyceride, HDL and LDL levels.

Conclusions

The disease prediction model based on metabolites is a useful diagnostic alternative as compared to the current single biomarker assays. The former is believed to be more cost effective since a single sample run is able to provide a more comprehensive disease profile, whilst the latter require different types of sampling tubes and blood volumes.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13336-015-0018-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Antihypertensive and vasorelaxant effects of Rhizoma corydalis and its active component tetrahydropalmatine via NO/cGMP pathway and calcium channel blockade in isolated rat thoracic aorta

The vasorelaxant effects of RC and THPviathe NO/cGMP pathway and calcium channel blockade in isolated rat thoracic aorta are explored.

A high-throughput metabolomic approach to explore the regulatory effect of mangiferin on metabolic network disturbances of hyperlipidemia rats

This paper was designed to study metabolomic characters of the high-fat diet (HFD)-induced hyperlipidemia and the intervention effects of Mangiferin (MG).

LC-MS-based metabolomics: an update

Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS)-based metabolomics can have a major impact in multiple research fields, especially when combined with other technologies, such as stable isotope tracers and genetically modified mice. This review highlights recent applications of metabolomic technology in the study of xenobiotic metabolism and toxicity, and the understanding of disease pathogenesis and therapeutics. Metabolomics has been employed to study metabolism of noscapine, an aryl hydrocarbon receptor antagonist, and to determine the mechanisms of liver toxicities of rifampicin and isoniazid, trichloroethylene, and gemfibrozil. Metabolomics-based insights into the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease, alcohol-induced liver diseases, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, and farnesoid X receptor signaling pathway-based therapeutic target discovery will also be discussed. Limitations in metabolomics technology such as sample preparation and lack of LC-MS databases and metabolite standards, need to be resolved in order to improve and broaden the application of metabolomic studies.