A metabonomic analysis reveals novel regulatory mechanism of Huangqi injection on leucopenia mice

Systems biology analysis of the effect and mechanism of total flavonoids of Astragali Radix against cyclophosphamide-induced leucopenia in mice

This study aimed to demonstrate the pharmacological mechanism of total flavonoids extracted from Astragali Radix (AR) on cyclophosphamide (Cy)-induced leucopenia in mice. First, flow cytometry, network pharmacology and plasma metabolomics were integrated to investigate the pharmacological mechanism of total flavonoids, the targets from network pharmacology and metabolites from metabolomics were analyzed by DAVID. Then, the key cytokines were validated to confirm the predicted metabolic pathway results. The results showed that total flavonoids significantly increased body weight, routine blood indices, bone marrow DNA cells, and also markedly caused lymphocyte proliferation by increasing the percentages of CD4⁺ and CD8⁺. Using network pharmacology and metabolomics methods, the study identified 13 signal-related pathways regulated by total flavonoids including PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, Jak-STAT signaling pathway, Sphingolipid signaling pathway, and so on. Total flavonoids also reversed changes in serum cytokines IL-2, IL-6, and GM-CSF. Total flavonoids exhibits protective effects against leucopenia probably by modulating immunologic functions, promoting cell proliferation, and regulating related metabolic pathways at the system level.

Systematic exploration of Astragalus membranaceus and Panax ginseng as immune regulators: Insights from the comparative biological and computational analysis

BACKGROUND

Immune system plays a decisive role for defending various pathogenic microorganisms. Astragalus membranaceus (AM) and Panax ginseng (PG) are two tonic herbs used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) as immune booster and help to control diseases with their healthy synergistic effect on immune system.

PURPOSE

This study was aimed to investigate the promote effect and molecular mechanisms of AM and PG on immune system as booster and to control the target diseases using animal and computational systematic study.

METHODS

Computational models including absorption, distribution, metabolism, and elimination (ADME) with weighted ensemble similarity (WES) algorithm-based models and ClueGo network analysis were used to find the potential bioactive compounds targets and pathways, which were responsible for immune regulation. Viscera index analysis, proliferation activity of splenic lymphocytes and cytotoxic activity of NK cells assays were performed to validate the effect of AM and PG on immune system of long-term administrated mice. Metabonomic study of mice plasma was conducted to investigate effect of AM and PG on the endogenous metabolic perturbations, together with correlation analysis.

RESULTS

AM and PG simultaneously showed the ability to strengthen the immune system function including enhancement of spleen and thymus index, proliferation of splenic lymphocytes and cytotoxic activity of NK cells. Besides, the different molecular mechanisms of AM and PG on immune regulation were also investigated by analyzing the potential bioactive compounds, enzymes actions and pathways. Quercetin, formononetin and kaempferol were the main immune-related compounds in AM, while ginsenoside Ra1, ginsenoside Rh1 and kaempferol in PG. About 10 target proteins were found close to immune regulation, including acetylcholinesterase (ACHE, common target in AM and PG), sphingosine kinase 1(SPHK1), cytidine deaminase (CDA), and Choline O-acetyltransferase (CHAT). Glycerophospholipid metabolism was regulated in both AM and PG groups. Pyrimidine metabolism and sphingolipid metabolism were considered as the special pathway in AM groups. Energy metabolism and glycerolipid metabolism were the special pathways in PG groups.

CONCLUSION

A novel comprehensive molecular mechanism analysis method was established and applied to clarify the scientific connotation of AM and PG as immune regulation, with similar herbal tonic effect provided in clinical practice of TCM, which can provide a new line of research for drug development (immune booster) using AM and PG.

1H NMR-based metabolomics revealed the protective effects of Guilingji on the testicular dysfunction of aging rats

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Guilingji (GLJ), a famous and classical traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) prescription, has been used to extend the lifespan and improve the life qualities of the elderly for hundreds of years in China.

AIM OF THE STUDY

We aimed to explore the protective effects of GLJ on the testicular dysfunction of aging rats, as well as the regulating effects of GLJ on the metabolic disturbance and metabolite changes in natural aging rats.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Forty 23-month-old rats were divided randomly into four groups, including the old control group and three groups of GLJ treatment at 37.5, 75, and 150 mg/kg doses, respectively. Additionally, 10 four-month rats were included as the youth control group. Testicular dysfunction was first evaluated by measuring the changes in the wet weights of the testicles, concentration of serum testosterone (T), and morphologic changes of the testis. Subsequently, an ¹H NMR-based metabolomics approach coupled with multivariate analysis, including partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) and orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) was applied to monitor the metabolite changes.

RESULTS

Compared with the old control group, the wet weights of the testicles and T concentration were significantly increased, while the morphologic abnormality of testicular tissues was improved by a 4-week treatment course with GLJ. Furthermore, compared with the old control group, the urinary levels of alanine, pantothenate, phenylalanine, β-hydroxybutyrate and pyruvate were significantly decreased after a 4-week treatment course with GLJ. Additionally, we found that amino acid metabolism and pyruvate metabolism were significantly involved in the regulatory effect of GLJ.

CONCLUSIONS

The current findings provided, for the first time, sound evidence of the protective effects of GLJ on testicular dysfunction from both biochemical and metabolomics perspectives. The mechanisms of GLJ could be related to regulating amino acid metabolism and pyruvate metabolism. The current study lays an important foundation for further research and for the broad clinical application of GLJ.

The modified Si-Jun-Zi Decoction attenuates colon cancer liver metastasis by increasing macrophage cells

BACKGROUND

The modified Si-Jun-Zi Decoction (SJZ), a Chinese medicine formula, is clinically used against multiple malignancies including colorectal cancer (CRC). This study aims to evaluate the effect of modified SJZ on CRC liver metastasis and identify the therapeutic mechanisms.

METHODS

Human CRC cells with GFP fluorescence were transplanted into Balb/c nude mice spleens. Modified SJZ, 5-fluorouracil or the combined treatment was given for 3 weeks. CRC liver metastasis was measured by fluorescence imaging and plasma cytokines were analyzed. Furthermore, the effects of administration time and doses for the modified SJZ were investigated in nude mice.

RESULTS

Modified SJZ could increase the survival rate and reduce CRC liver metastasis in the nude mice model. Plasma GM-CSF level was elevated. Three weeks of treatment with the modified SJZ at the full dose (45 g/kg) could significantly increase the number of macrophages but not neutrophils in the spleen.

CONCLUSIONS

These results indicate that modified SJZ can inhibit CRC liver metastasis by activating the innate immune system, providing a complementary and alternative therapy for CRC.

Application of Metabolomics in the Study of Natural Products

LC-MS-based metabolomics could have a major impact in the study of natural products, especially in its metabolism, toxicity and activity. This review highlights recent applications of metabolomics approach in the study of metabolites and toxicity of natural products, and the understanding of their effects on various diseases. Metabolomics has been employed to study the in vitro and in vivo metabolism of natural compounds, such as osthole, dehydrodiisoeugenol, and myrislignan. The pharmacological effects of natural compounds and extracts were determined using metabolomics technology combined with diseases models in animal, including osthole and nutmeg extracts. It has been demonstrated that metabolomics is a powerful technology for the investigation of xenobiotics-induced toxicity. The metabolism of triptolide and its hepatotoxicity were discussed. LC-MS-based metabolomics has a great potential in the druggability of natural products. The application of metabolomics should be broadened in the field of natural products in the future.

NMR based metabolomic approach revealed cyclophosphamide-induced systematic alterations in a rat model

A ¹H NMR based metabolomics approach combined with biochemical assay had been employed to study the toxicity of CY.