Selection of Atmospheric Environmental Monitoring Sites based on Geographic Parameters Extraction of GIS and Fuzzy Matter-Element Analysis

Network pharmacology and experimental verification reveal the mechanism of Hedysari Radix and Curcumae Rhizoma with the optimal compatibility ratio against colitis-associated colorectal cancer

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

The herb pair Astragali Radix (AR) and Curcumae Rhizoma (vinegar-processed, VPCR), derived from the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) text 'Yixuezhongzhongcanxilu', have long been used to treat gastrointestinal diseases, notably colitis-associated colorectal cancer (CAC). Hedysari Radix (HR), belonging to the same Leguminosae family as AR but from a different genus, is traditionally used as a substitute for AR when paired with VPCR in the treatment of CAC. However, the optimal compatibility ratio for HR-VPCR against CAC and the underlying mechanisms remain unclear.

AIM OF THE STUDY

To investigate the optimal compatibility ratio and underlying mechanisms of HR-VPCR against CAC using a combination of comparative pharmacodynamics, network pharmacology, and experimental verification.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The efficacy of different compatibility ratios of HR-VPCR against CAC was evaluated using various indicators, including the body weight, colon length, tumor count, survival rate, disease activity index (DAI) score, Haemotoxylin and Eosin (H&E) pathological sections, inflammation cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10, TNF-α), tumor markers (K-Ras, p53), and intestinal permeability proteins (claudin-1, E-cadherin, mucin-2). Then, the optimal compatibility ratio of HR-VPCR against CAC was determined based on the fuzzy matter-element analysis by integrating the above indicators. After high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis for the optimal compatibility ratio of HR-VPCR, potential active components of HR-VPCR were identified by TCMSP and the previous bibliographies. Swiss Targets and GeneCards were adopted to predict the targets of the active components and the targets of CAC, respectively. Then, the common targets of HR-VPCR against CAC were obtained by Venn analysis. PPI networks were constructed in STRING. GO and KEGG enrichments were visualized by the David database. Finally, the predicted pathway was experimentally validated via Western blot.

RESULTS

Various compatibility ratios of HR-VPCR demonstrated notable therapeutic effects to some extent, evidenced by improvements in body weight, colon length, tumor count, pathological symptoms (DAI score), colon and organ indexes, survival rate, and modulation of inflammation factors (IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10, TNF-α), as well as tumor markers (K-Ras, p53), and down-regulation of intestinal permeability proteins (claudin-1, E-cadherin, mucin-2) in CAC mice. Among these ratios, the ratio 4:1 represents the optimal compatibility ratio by the fuzzy matter-element analysis. Thirty active components of HR-VPCR were carefully selected, targeting 553 specific genes. Simultaneously, 2022 targets associated with CAC were identified. 88 common targets were identified after generating a Venn plot. Following PPI network analysis, 29 core targets were established, with AKT1 ranking highest among them. Further analysis via GO and KEGG enrichment identified the PI3K-AKT signaling pathway as a potential mechanism. Experimental validation confirmed that HR-VPCR intervention effectively reversed the activated PI3K-AKT signaling pathway.

CONCLUSIONS

The optimal compatibility ratio for the HR-VPCR herb pair in alleviating CAC is 4:1. HR-VPCR exerts its effects by alleviating intestinal inflammation, improving intestinal permeability, and regulating the PI3K-AKT signaling pathway.

Comparative study on the gastrointestinal- and immune- regulation functions of Hedysari Radix Paeparata Cum Melle and Astragali Radix Praeparata cum Melle in rats with spleen-qi deficiency, based on fuzzy matter-element analysis

CONTEXT

Hedysari Radix Praeparata Cum Melle (HRPCM) and Astragali Radix Praeparata Cum Melle (ARPCM) are used interchangeably in clinics to treat spleen-qi deficiency (SQD) symptom mainly including gastrointestinal dysfunction and decreased immunity, which has unknown differences in efficacy.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the differences between HRPCM and ARPCM on intervening gastrointestinal- and immune-function with SQD syndrome.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

After the SQD model was established, the Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into nine groups (n = 10): normal; model; Bu-Zhong-Yi-Qi Pills; 18.9, 12.6 and 6.3 g/kg dose groups of HRPCM and ARPCM. Gastrointestinal function including d-xylose, gastrin, amylase vasoactive intestinal peptide, motilin, pepsin, H⁺/K⁺-ATPase, Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase, sodium-glucose cotransporter 1 (SGLT1), glucose transporter 2 (GLUT2) and immune function including spleen and thymus index, blood routine, interleukin (IL)-2, IL-6, interferon-γ (IFN-γ), tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), immunoglobulin (Ig) M, IgA, IgG and delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) were detected. Finally, the efficacy differences were analysed comprehensively by the fuzzy matter-element method.

RESULTS

In regulating immune, the doses differences in efficacy between HRPCM and ARPCM showed in the high-dose (18.9 g/kg), but there were no differences in the middle- and low- dose (12.6 and 6.37 g/kg); the efficacy differences were primarily reflected in levels of IL-6, IFN-γ, TNF-α and IgM in serum, and the mRNA expression of IL-6 and IFN-γ in the spleen. In regulating gastrointestinal, the efficacy differences were primarily reflected in the levels of D-xylose, MTL, and GAS in serum, and the mRNA and protein expression of SGLT1 and GLUT2 in jejunum and ileum.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS

HRPCM is more effective than ARPCM on regulating gastrointestinal function and immune function with SQD syndrome. Therefore, we propose that HRPCM should be mainly used to treat SQD syndrome in the future.

Forecasts for the concentration of petroleum gas leakage diffusion under different liquid level heights of a sealing ring of sizeable floating roof tank

The sealing ring of the external floating roof tank is prone to petroleum gas leakage due to material aging and oil corrosion. Petroleum gas leakage and diffusion easily accumulate above the floating deck. When it is within the explosion limit range, there will be the risk of explosion and fire. To deal with the explosion accident of storage tank caused by the concentration distribution of petroleum gas leakage for the sealing ring, and to study the influence of petroleum gas diffusion and concentration distribution after sealing ring leakage on the control area above the floating deck in the tank farm environment, this paper established numerical models of sealing ring leakage under different liquid level heights for 10 × 10⁴ m³ external floating roof tank. Through numerical calculation, it is found that the diffusion concentration of petroleum gas is related to the wind speed, the range of the control area above the floating deck, and leakage when sealing rings leak at different liquid levels. Through dimensionless analysis, the functional relationship of gas leakage diffusion concentration distribution under different liquid level heights of external floating roof tank sealing rings is verified by numerical calculation results. The results show that the numerical results are consistent with those predicted by the formula.