Ethanolic extract of Astragali radix and Salviae radix prohibits oxidative brain injury by psycho-emotional stress in whisker removal rat model

Evaluating myelophil, a 30% ethanol extract of Astragalus membranaceus and Salvia miltiorrhiza, for alleviating fatigue in long COVID: a real-world observational study

Background

Persistent post-infectious symptoms, predominantly fatigue, characterize Long COVID. This study investigated the efficacy of Myelophil (MYP), which contains metabolites extracted from Astragalus membranaceus and Salvia miltiorrhiza using 30% ethanol, in alleviating fatigue among subjects with Long COVID.

Methods

In this prospective observational study, we enrolled subjects with significant fatigue related to Long COVID, using criteria of scores of 60 or higher on the modified Korean Chalder Fatigue scale (mKCFQ11), or five or higher on the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for brain fog. Utilizing a single-arm design, participants were orally administered MYP (2,000 mg daily) for 4 weeks. Changes in fatigue severity were assessed using mKCFQ11, Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory (MFI-20), and VAS for fatigue and brain fog. In addition, changes in quality of life using the short form 12 (SF-12) were also assessed along with plasma cortisol levels.

Results

A total of 50 participants (18 males, 32 females) were enrolled; 49 were included in the intention-to-treat analysis with scores of 66.9 ± 11.7 on mKCFQ11 and 6.3 ± 1.5 on the brain fog VAS. After 4 weeks of MYP administration, there were statistically significant improvements in fatigue levels: mKCFQ11 was measured at 34.8 ± 17.1 and brain fog VAS at 3.0 ± 1.9. Additionally, MFI-20 decreased from 64.8 ± 9.8 to 49.3 ± 10.8, fatigue VAS dropped from 7.4 ± 1.0 to 3.4 ± 1.7, SF-12 scores rose from 53.3 ± 14.9 to 78.6 ± 14.3, and plasma cortisol levels also elevated from 138.8 ± 50.1 to 176.9 ± 62.0 /mL. No safety concerns emerged during the trial.

Conclusion

Current findings underline MYP's potential in managing Long COVID-induced fatigue. However, comprehensive studies remain imperative.

Clinical Trial Registration

https://cris.nih.go.kr, identifier KCT0008948.

Progress in Mechanism of Astragalus membranaceus and Its Chemical Constituents on Multiple Sclerosis

The primary chemical components of Astragalus membranaceus include polysaccharides, saponins, flavonoids, and amino acids. Recent studies have shown that Astragalus membranaceus has multiple functions, including improving immune function and exerting antioxidative, anti-radiation, anti-tumor, antibacterial, antiviral, and hormone-like effects. Astragalus membranaceus and its extracts are widely used in clinical practice because they have obvious therapeutic effects against various autoimmune diseases and relatively less adverse reaction. Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease of central nervous system (CNS), which mainly caused by immune disorder that leads to inflammatory demyelination, inflammatory cell infiltration, and axonal degeneration in the CNS. In this review, the authors analyzed the clinical manifestations of MS and experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) and focused on the efficacy of Astragalus membranaceus and its chemical components in the treatment of MS/EAE.

Preliminary Findings on the Effect of Ultrasmall Superparamagnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles and Acute Stress on Selected Markers of Oxidative Stress in Normotensive and Hypertensive Rats

Several studies have reported that the administration of various nanoparticles in vivo can cause oxidative stress. The combination of ultrasmall superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (USPIONs) and acute stress was selected because, during intravenous application of a contrast agent, patients are exposed to psycho-emotional stress. This study was designed to investigate the effect of acute stress and USPIONs on selected markers of oxidative stress (antioxidant capacity, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and catalase activities, levels of advanced oxidation protein products, protein carbonyls, lipoperoxides and 8-isoprostanes) in plasma and erythrocytes in normotensive Wistar–Kyoto rats (WKY) and spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). In the WKY and SHR groups, there was a significant main effect of genotype between groups on studied markers except protein carbonyls and lipoperoxides. In SHR, the combination of acute stress and USPIONs increased the antioxidant capacity of plasma and the selected enzyme activities of erythrocytes. In WKY, the combination of acute stress and USPIONs decreased the antioxidant capacity of erythrocytes and reduced levels of advanced oxidation protein products in plasma. Our study points to the fact that, when hypertensive subjects are treated with iron oxide nanoparticles, caution should be taken, especially in stress conditions, since they seem to be more vulnerable to oxidative stress produced by USPIONs.

Touch-induced emotional comfort results in an increase in the salivary antioxidant potential: A correlational study

A pleasant touch reduces psychoemotional stress via the oxytocin mechanism due to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. Our research is aimed to reveal the correlations between the subjectively perceived pleasantness of touch, the antioxidant potential of saliva, and salivary oxytocin. A total of 56 healthy volunteers aged 18-38 years participated in the study. The control group consisted of 24 volunteers. The participants were subjected to tactile stimulation using a specially designed protocol. They ranked the touch pleasantness on a scale from 1 to 10. Heart rate variability and low-frequency/high-frequency ratios from the power spectral density of ECG were determined to assess psychoemotional relaxation. Salivary oxytocin and antioxidant capacity were quantified before and after the touch test. We found a significant increase in salivary antioxidant potential and oxytocin after pleasant tactile stimulation for the participants compared to the control group. The difference in antioxidant capacity values before and after the test positively correlated with mean pleasantness in the touch test (r = 0.57) and the difference in heart rate variability (r = 0.67); it negatively correlated with the difference in low-frequency/high-frequency ECG band ratio (r = -0.59). Oxytocin ratio positively correlated with the difference in antioxidant capacity values (r = 0.47). As a result of tactile stimulation, a significant increase in the antioxidant capacity of saliva and salivary oxytocin was found in the test group compared to the control group. These findings support further studies of the effects of pleasant touch on hormonal and oxidative metabolism.

Network Pharmacology and Molecular Docking Analysis on Molecular Targets and Mechanisms of Buyang Huanwu Decoction in the Treatment of Ischemic Stroke

Methods

The bioactive components and potential targets of BHD were screened by TCMSP, BATMAN-TCM, ETCM, and SymMap databases. Besides, compounds that failed to find the targets from the above databases were predicted through STITCH, SwissTargetPrediction, and SEA. Moreover, six databases were searched to mine targets of IS. The intersection targets were obtained and analyzed by GO and KEGG enrichment. Furthermore, BHD-IS PPI network, compound-target network, and herb-target-pathway network were constructed by Cytoscape 3.6.0. Finally, AutoDock was used for molecular docking verification.

Results

A total of 235 putative targets were obtained from 59 active compounds in BHD. Among them, 62 targets were related to IS. PPI network showed that the top ten key targets were IL6, TNF, VEGFA, AKT1, etc. The enrichment analysis demonstrated candidate BHD targets were more frequently involved in TNF, PI3K-Akt, and NF-kappa B signaling pathway. Network topology analysis showed that Radix Astragali was the main herb in BHD, and the key components were quercetin, beta-sitosterol, kaempferol, stigmasterol, etc. The results of molecular docking showed the active components in BHD had a good binding ability with the key targets.

Conclusions

Our study demonstrated that BHD exerted the effect of treating IS by regulating multitargets and multichannels with multicomponents through the method of network pharmacology and molecular docking.

Virtual screening and network pharmacology-based synergistic mechanism identification of multiple components contained in Guanxin V against coronary artery disease

BACKGROUND

Guanxin V (GXV), a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), has been widely used to treat coronary artery disease (CAD) in clinical practice in China. However, research on the active components and underlying mechanisms of GXV in CAD is still scarce.

METHODS

A virtual screening and network pharmacological approach was utilized for predicting the pharmacological mechanisms of GXV in CAD. The active compounds of GXV based on various TCM-related databases were selected and then the potential targets of these compounds were identified. Then, after the CAD targets were built through nine databases, a PPI network was constructed based on the matching GXV and CAD potential targets, and the hub targets were screened by MCODE. Moreover, Metascape was applied to GO and KEGG functional enrichment. Finally, HPLC fingerprints of GXV were established.

RESULTS

A total of 119 active components and 121 potential targets shared between CAD and GXV were obtained. The results of functional enrichment indicated that several GO biological processes and KEGG pathways of GXV mostly participated in the therapeutic mechanisms. Furthermore, 7 hub MCODEs of GXV were collected as potential targets, implying the complex effects of GXV-mediated protection against CAD. Six specific chemicals were identified.

CONCLUSION

GXV could be employed for CAD through molecular mechanisms, involving complex interactions between multiple compounds and targets, as predicted by virtual screening and network pharmacology. Our study provides a new TCM for the treatment of CAD and deepens the understanding of the molecular mechanisms of GXV against CAD.

Traditional Korean herbal formulae, Yuk-Mi-Ji-Hwang-Tang, ameliorates impairment of hippocampal memory ability by chronic restraint stress of mouse model

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Yuk-Mi-Jihwang-Tang (YJT) has been popularly prescribed to treat aging related disorders over than hundreds of years in East Asia countries.

AIM OF THE STUDY

To investigate possible modulatory actions of YJT on chronic restraint stress (CRS)-induced neurodegeneration on hippocampus neuronal injuries.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Mice were orally administered with YJT (100, 200, or 400 mg/kg) or ascorbic acid (100 mg/kg) before 4 h of stress for 28 days. Morris water maze task was completed from day 24th to 28th, and stress hormones and biochemical analyzes were measured.

RESULTS

Four weeks of the CRS abnormally affected memory impairments by measurement of escape latency and time spent in the target quadrant. Additionally, neurotransmitters were also drastically altered in serum or hippocampus protein levels by CRS. Gene expressions for 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) receptor, 5-HT-transport, and tryptophan hydroxylase were also altered, whereas YJT led to normalize the above alterations. Additionally, YJT also beneficially worked on endogenous redox system as well as inflammatory reactions in the hippocampal neurons. We observed that hippocampal excitotoxicity was induced by CRS which were evidenced by depletion of phosphor-cAMP response element-binding protein, brain-derived neurotrophic factor, nuclear factor erythroid-2-related factor 2, heme oxygenase-1 and abnormally increases of acetylcholine esterase activities in hippocampus protein levels; however, YJT considerably improved the above pathological conditions.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings supported YJT enhance memory function via regulation of hippocampal excitotoxicity-derived memory impairment, stress hormone, and endogenous redox, respectively.

An Herbal Formula CGplus Ameliorates Stress-Induced Hepatic Injury in a BALB/c Mouse Model

Introduction

Stress is a well-known factor for inflammation in diverse organs/tissues. Stress also leads to liver injury, which was supported by clinical observations and animal studies. We herein investigated the hepatoprotective property of an herbal formula (called as CG^plus) consisting of Artemisia gmelinii Weber ex Stechm. (syn, Artemisia iwayomogi Kitamura), Wurfbainia villosa var. xanthioides (Wall. ex Baker) Skornick. & A.D.Poulsen (syn, Amomum xanthioides Wallich), and Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge against stress-induced hepatic damage.

Methods

Male BALB/c mice were orally administered water extract of CG^plus (0, 50, 100, or 200 mg/kg) daily for 5 days, and then subjected to immobilization stress for 6 h on the 5^th day.

Results

Acute immobilization stress elevated remarkably serum concentrations of stress hormones (corticosterone and adrenaline) and two hepatic injury parameters (ALT and AST), while these alterations were significantly attenuated by the administration of CG^plus. The increases of oxidative parameters (ROS, NO, lipid peroxidation, and protein carbonyl) and deviation of IL-1β and IL-10 in opposite directions in hepatic tissues were significantly normalized by CG^plus. Pre-treatment with CG^plus also notably ameliorated the abnormal activation of toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), CD14, and lipopolysaccharide-binding protein (LPB) as well as infiltration of neutrophils in hepatic tissues.

Conclusion

These results suggest that an herbal formula (CG^plus) derived from traditional pharmaceutical theory has a potent protective effect against stress-induced hepatic injury via regulation of pro- (IL-1β) and anti-inflammatory (IL-10) cytokines.

The Efficacy and Safety of Myelophil, an Ethanol Extract Mixture of Astragali Radix and Salviae Radix, for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Background: There is a strong demand for therapeutics to treat chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), although there are limitations. Myelophil, which is a combination of extracts from Astragali Radix and Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix, has been clinically used to treat fatigue-related disorders in South Korea. We conducted a randomized controlled clinical trial of Myelophil in patients with CFS and evaluated its efficacy and safety in two hospitals.

Methods: We enrolled 98 participants (M: 38, F: 60) with CFS in a phase 2 trial of oral Myelophil (2 g daily) or placebo for 12 weeks. The primary end point was a change in the Chalder fatigue scale, as scored by a numeric rating scale (NRS). The secondary end points included changes in the visual analogue scale, fatigue severity scale (FSS), and 36-item short-form health survey (SF-36). Biomarkers of oxidative stress and cytokines were evaluated by blood tests.

Results: Ninety-seven participants (48 in the Myelophil group and 49 in the placebo group) completed the trial. An analysis of all participants showed that Myelophil slightly improved fatigue symptoms compared with those of the placebo, but this effect was not statistically significant (p > 0.05 for the NRS, VAS, FSS, and SF-36). By contrast, an analysis of the subpopulation (53 participants, M: 24, F: 29) with severe symptoms (≥63, median NRS value of total participants) showed a statistically significant improvement in fatigue symptoms in the Myelophil group compared with the placebo (p < 0.05 for NRS, FSS, and SF-36). There were no significant changes in the biomarkers for oxidative stress and cytokines before or after the treatment. No Myelophil-related adverse response was observed during the trial.

Conclusion: These results support the hypothesis that Myelophil can be a therapeutic candidate to manage CFS and provide the rationale for its progression to a phase 3 clinical trial.

Clinical Trial Registration:www.ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier KCT0002317.

Antidepressant-Like Activity of Myelophil via Attenuation of Microglial-Mediated Neuroinflammation in Mice Undergoing Unpredictable Chronic Mild Stress

Myelophil, a 30% ethanol extract that has an equal rate in both Astragali Radix and Salviae Radix, is a remedy for the treatment of fatigue-linked disorders in traditional Oriental medicine. The majority of patients with chronic fatigue have a risk of comorbidity with depression symptoms. To evaluate the anti-depressant activity of Myelophil, mice were subjected to unpredictable chronic mild stress (UCMS, eight different stresses) for 3 weeks with daily administration of distilled water, Myelophil (25, 50, or 100 mg/kg), or n-acetyl-l-cysteine (NAC) (100 mg/kg). After the final stress exposure, three behavioral tests, including the open field test (OFT), forced swimming test (FST), and tail suspension test (TST), and stress-derived alterations of the serotonergic signal and inflammatory response in the hippocampus were measured. UCMS notably induced depressive behaviors, whereas these behavioral alterations were significantly reversed by the administration of Myelophil in regard to the OFT, FST, and TST results. Myelophil also significantly attenuated the over-activation of microglial cells and the inflammatory response in the hippocampal region (TNF-α, tumor necrosis factor-alpha; IL-1β, interleukin-1beta; and caspase-1). Furthermore, Myelophil significantly restored the distortions of serotonergic function in the dorsal raphe nuclei and neurogenesis in the subgranular zone of the hippocampus. These results support the clinical relevance of the anti-depressant activity of Myelophil, specifically by modulating serotonergic function and the neuroinflammatory response.

Genotoxicity Evaluation of an Ethanol Extract Mixture of Astragali Radix and Salviae miltiorrhizae Radix

Myelophil, a combination of Astragali Radix and Salviae Radix, is one of the most commonly used remedies for disorders of Qi and blood in traditional Chinese medicine. Based on the clinical applications of these plants, in particular to pregnant woman, this study aimed to evaluate the genotoxic potential of an ethanol extract mixture of the above two herbs, called Myelophil. Following the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) Guideline methods, a genotoxicity test was conducted using a bacterial reverse mutation test with Salmonella typhimurium (TA98, TA100, TA1535, and TA1537) and Escherichia coli (WP2μvrA), an in vitro mammalian chromosome aberration test using a Chinese hamster ovary cell line (CHO-K1), and an in vivo mammalian erythrocyte micronucleus test using ICR mouse bone marrow. In the Ames test, for both types of mutations (base substitution and frameshift) under conditions with/without an S9 mix up to 5,000 μg/plate, Myelophil did not increase the number of revertant colonies of all S. typhimurium strains as well as E. coli strain. For both short (6 h) and long tests with/without S9 mix, the chromosome aberration test did not show any significant increase in the number of structural or numerical chromosome aberrations by Myelophil. In addition, no significant change in the number of micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes or polychromatic erythrocytes was observed in the bone marrow of an ICR mouse administered Myelophil orally at 2,000 mg/kg/day for 2 days, respectively. These results are the first to provide experimental evidence that Myelophil, an ethanol extract mixture of Astragali Radix and Salviae Radix, has no risk of genotoxicity.

Evaluation of the Pharmaceutical Properties and Value of Astragali Radix

Astragali Radix (AR), a Chinese materia medica (CMM) known as Huangqi, is an important medicine prescribed in herbal composite formulae (Fufang) by Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) practitioners for thousands of years. According to the literature, AR is suggested for patients suffering from “Qi”- and “Blood”-deficiencies, and its clinical effects are reported to be related to anti-cancer cell proliferation, anti-oxidation, relief of complications in cardiovascular diseases, etc. The underlying cell signaling pathways involved in the regulation of these various diseases are presented here to support the mechanisms of action of AR. There are two botanical sources recorded in China Pharmacopoeia (CP, 2015): Astragalus membranaceus (Fisch.) Bge. Var. mongohlicus, (Bge.) Hsiao, and Astragalus membranaceus (Fisch.) Bge. (Fam. Leguminosae), whose extracts of dried roots are processed via homogenization-assisted negative pressure cavitation extraction. Geographic factors and extraction methods have impacts on the pharmaceutical and chemical profiles of AR. Therefore, the levels of the major bioactive constituents of AR, including polysaccharides, saponins, and flavonoids, may not be consistent in different batches of extract, and the pharmaceutical efficacy of these bioactive ingredients may vary depending on the source. Therefore, the present review mainly focuses on the consistency of the available sources of AR and extracts and on the investigation of the biological functions and mechanisms of action of AR and of its major bioactive constituents. Furthermore, it will also include a discussion of the most popular AR composite formulae to further elucidate their chemical and biological profiles and understand the pharmaceutical value of AR.

Inosine improves cognitive function and decreases aging-induced oxidative stress and neuroinflammation in aged female rats

In the present study, the effect of inosine was evaluated on learning and memory of 18 months old aged female rats. Inosine (50, 100 and 200 mg/kg; i.p.) was administered to separate groups of rats for 15 successive days. Donepezil (1 mg/kg; i.p.), an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor, was used as a standard drug. Behavioral models such as Morris water maze and elevated plus maze were used to evaluate the effect of drugs on learning and memory of rats. After behavioral studies, animals were killed and their brain was isolated and further processed for estimation of various biochemical parameters such as acetylcholinesterase activity, oxidative stress markers, proinflammatory marker and histological examinations. Inosine (100 and 200 mg/kg) significantly improved learning and memory of aged rats. Further, inosine significantly reduced lipid peroxidation and nitrite, and increased the levels of reduced glutathione and superoxide dismutase. However, no significant difference in AChEs activity was observed in inosine-treated rats as compared to aged control rats. TNF-α level was found to be ameliorated in aged rats by inosine. Histopathological evaluation showed that inosine-treated aged rats have less number of pyknotic neurons in hippocampal CA1 region as compared to aged control rats. In conclusion, inosine significantly improved learning and memory of aged female rats possibly through its antioxidant as well as anti-inflammatory effect and improvement of neuronal survival in the hippocampal CA1 region. However, additional studies are required to further explore the downstream signaling pathways involved in the neuroprotective effect of inosine in aged animals.

Vibrissal paralysis produces increased corticosterone levels and impairment of spatial memory retrieval

This research was aimed at establishing how the absence of active whisking in rats affects acquisition and recovery of spatial memory. The mystacial vibrissae were irreversibly paralyzed by cutting the facial nerve's mandibular and buccal branches bilaterally in the facial nerve lesion group (N=14); control animals were submitted to sham-surgery (N=15). Sham-operated (N=11) and facial nerve-lesioned (N=10) animals were trained (one session, eight acquisition trials) and tested 24h later in a circular Barnes maze. It was found that facial nerve lesioned-animals adequately acquired the spatial task, but had impaired recovery of it when tested 24h after training as compared to control ones. Plasma corticosterone levels were measured after memory testing in four randomly chosen animals of each trained group and after a single training trial in the maze in additional facial nerve-lesioned (N=4) and sham-operated animals (N=4). Significant differences respecting the elevation of corticosterone concentration after either a single training trial or memory testing indicated that stress response was enhanced in facial nerve-lesioned animals as compared to control ones. Increased corticosterone levels during training and testing might have elicited the observed whisker paralysis-induced spatial memory retrieval impairment.

Shen-Qi-Jie-Yu-Fang exerts effects on a rat model of postpartum depression by regulating inflammatory cytokines and CD4(+)CD25(+) regulatory T cells

BACKGROUND

Shen-Qi-Jie-Yu-Fang (SJF) is composed of eight Chinese medicinal herbs. It is widely used in traditional Chinese medicine for treating postpartum depression (PPD). Previous studies have shown that SJF treats PPD through the neuroendocrine mechanism.

AIM

To further investigate the effect of SJF on the immune system, including the inflammatory response system and CD4(+)CD25(+) regulatory T (Treg) cells.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Sprague Dawley rats were used to create an animal model of PPD by inducing hormone-simulated pregnancy followed by hormone withdrawal. After hormone withdrawal, the PPD rats were treated with SJF or fluoxetine for 1, 2, and 4 weeks. Levels of Treg cells in peripheral blood were measured by flow cytometry analysis. Serum interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-6 were evaluated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and gene and protein expressions of IL-1RI, IL-6Rα, and gp130 in the hippocampus were observed by reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction and Western blot.

RESULTS

Serum IL-1β in PPD rats increased at 2 weeks and declined from then on, while serum IL-6 increased at 1, 2, and 4 weeks. Both IL-1β and IL-6 were downregulated by SJF and fluoxetine. Changes in gene and protein expressions of IL-1RI and gp130 in PPD rats were consistent with changes in serum IL-1β, and were able to be regulated by SJF and fluoxetine. The levels of Treg cells were negatively correlated with serum IL-1β and IL-6, and were decreased in PPD rats. The levels of Treg cells were increased by SJF and fluoxetine.

CONCLUSION

Dysfunction of proinflammatory cytokines and Tregs in different stages of PPD was attenuated by SJF and fluoxetine through the modulation of serum concentrations of IL-1β and IL-6, expressions of IL-1RI, and gp130 in the hippocampus, and CD4(+)CD25(+) Treg cells in peripheral blood.