Ingredients, Anti-Liver Cancer Effects and the Possible Mechanism of DWYG Formula Based on Network Prediction

Bioinformatics and network pharmacology analysis of DWYG capsule for improving liver regeneration: identification of active compounds and mechanisms

Aimed to explore the mechanisms and targets of Diwu Yanggan Capsule (DWYG), a traditional Chinese medicine in liver regeneration, we used the TCMSP to obtain the active ingredients and targets of DWYG and the GEO database to obtain the DEGs related to liver regeneration. We also searched for liver regeneration-related genes in disease databases and integrated them with the herbal and GEO data to screen for potential targets of DWYG in liver regeneration. Enrichment analysis using R language and molecular docking of the key targets and active ingredients were constructed. We found 73 potential targets of DWYG in liver regeneration and revealed that DWYG may act through pathways such as MAPK, TNF, and IL-17. We also found that quercetin was a major component of DWYG with low binding energy to three key targets. Our results suggest that DWYG can facilitate liver regeneration and quercetin may be its core ingredient.

Gallic acid ameliorates dextran sulfate sodium-induced ulcerative colitis in mice via inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome

Background: Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic recurrent inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The conventional drugs for UC may induce severe side effects. Herbal medicine is considered as a complementary and alternative choice for UC. Purpose: This study aims to estimate the effect of natural polyphenol gallic acid (GA) on the NLRP3 inflammasome with dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis in mice. Study design: The body weights and symptoms of BALB/c mice were recorded. Histological evaluation, ELISA, q-PCR, immunohistochemistry, and western blotting were carried out to observe the morphology, cytokine contents, mRNA expressions, and protein expressions, respectively. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced RAW264.7 macrophage was used to probe GA's effect on relative protein expression. Results: GA attenuated weight loss (p < 0.05), relieved symptoms, and ameliorated colonic morphological injury (p < 0.05) in mice with colitis induced by DSS. GA also lowered the contents of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-18, IL-33, and IFN-γ in the serum and colon of mice, which were elevated by DSS, downregulated protein, and mRNA expressions of the NLRP3 pathway in the colon tissue. Furthermore, GA downregulated the expressions of NLRP3 (p < 0.05), iNOS (p < 0.01), COX2 (p < 0.01), and P-p65 (p < 0.05), and suppressed NO release (p < 0.001) in LPS-induced RAW264.7 cells. Conclusion: GA ameliorated DSS-induced UC in mice via inhibiting the NLRP3 inflammasome. These findings furnish evidence for the anti-inflammatory effect of herbal medicines containing GA on UC.

Bufothionine induces autophagy in H22 hepatoma-bearing mice by inhibiting JAK2/STAT3 pathway, a possible anti-cancer mechanism of cinobufacini

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Cinobufacini is extracted from the skins and parotid venom glands of the toad for treating symptoms like swelling and pain in ancient times. Nowadays, cinobifucini injection has also achieved satisfactory therapeutic effects on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in China.

AIM OF THE STUDY

Our previous work found that bufothionine, an alkaloid abundant in cinobufacini injection, induced mitochondria-mediated apoptosis. In this work, the underlying effects of bufothionine on autophagy in HCC and its possible dependent pathway were investigated.

METHODS

CCK-8 and Hoechst staining assays were performed to verify effects of drugs on proliferation and apoptosis of SMMC7721 cell. H₂₂-tumor-bearing mice model was established by inoculating ascites fluid. HE staining was used to observe pathological changes in liver and tumor tissues. ELISA and Western blot experiments were conducted to investigate IL-6/JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway. The effects of drugs on expressions of autophagic relative proteins were investigated by Western blot in vitro and in vivo.

RESULTS

In vitro, CCK-8 and Hoechst staining assays showed that bufothionine inhibited SMMC7721 cell proliferation and promoted apoptosis at 100 μM. In vivo, bufothionine relieved symptoms of H₂₂-tumor-bearing mice and exerted anti-inflammation activity. ELISA and Western blot demonstrated that bufothionine significantly reduced serum IL-6 concentration, suppressed p-Stat3tyr705, p-Stat3ser727 and Jak2 expressions in tumor tissues and upregulated Atg5, Atg7 and LC3Ⅱ expressions in SMMC7721 cell and H₂₂ tumor.

CONCLUSION

This is the first report showing that bufothionine might induce autophagy in HCC by inhibiting JAK2/STAT3 pathway, presenting a possible anti-cancer mechanism of bufothionine in cinobufacini injection.