Anthelmintic activity of saikosaponins a and d from radix bupleuri against Dactylogyrus spp. infecting goldfish

The Wu-Shi-Cha formula protects against ulcerative colitis by orchestrating immunity and microbiota homeostasis

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Ulcerative colitis (UC) has become a healthy burden worldwide due to its insidious onset and repetitive relapse, with a rather complex etiology, including inappropriate immune response, dysbiosis, genetic susceptibility, and unhealthy diets. The Wu-Shi-Cha (WSC) formula is a widely utilized drug to protect against gastrointestinal disorders.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The study aspired to dissect the pertinent mechanisms of the WSC to treat UC.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Network pharmacology and weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) were performed to predict the targets of WSC in the context of UC and colorectal cancer. Dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) was used to construct murine models of experimental colitis, and the WSC was given to colitis mice for 14 days. Feces and colon samples were subjected to 16S rRNA gene sequencing combined with liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) and biochemical experiments, respectively.

RESULTS

Network pharmacology analysis predicted that the WSC formula could orchestrate inflammation, infection, and tumorigenesis, and WGCNA based on The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database showed a potent anti-neoplastic effect of the WSC therapy for colorectal cancer. The WSC therapy rescued bursts of pro-inflammatory cytokines and colonic epithelial collapse in DSS-induced colitis mice. Moreover, the high dose of WSC treatment facilitated the alternative activation of peritoneal macrophages (Mφs) and these Mφs were conducive to the survival of intestinal stem cells (ISCs), and the disturbed homeostasis of gut microbiota was re-established after WSC treatment, as evidenced by the decreased colonization of pathological taxa in the fecal samples.

CONCLUSION

The WSC formula suppresses inflammation and re-establishes the homeostasis of gut microbiota, thereby ameliorating colitis progression.

Therapeutic effects of saponin components on porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus-infected piglets

The present study aimed to evaluate the potential therapeutic effects of Anemoside B4 (AB4), Panax notoginseng saponins (PNS), Notoginsenoside R1 (SR1), Saikosaponin A (SSA) and Saikosaponin D (SSD) on piglets infected with porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV). A total of 132 completely healthy piglets were randomly divided into 22 groups consisting of six animals each. Control piglets were intramuscularly injected with 2 ml of PRRSV (NJGC strain) solution containing 10⁶  TCID₅₀  virus/ml. For low-, middle- and high-dose saponin treatment groups, the piglets were initially administrated with the same volume of PRRSV solution, followed by intraperitoneal injection with AB4, PNS, SR1, SSA or SSD at 1, 5 or 10 mg/kg b.w. on day 3. The piglets in drug control group were intraperitoneally injected with 10 mg/kg b.w. of each saponin without prior PRRS challenge, while those in blank control group were injected with the same amount of normal saline. The results indicated that all the five saponin components could decrease the incidence and severity of PRRSV-induced immunopathological damages, including the elevated body temperature, weight loss, anaemia and internal inflammation. Moreover, the saponin components could enhance protein absorption and immune responses. Taken together, this study reveals that the saponin components are effective against PRRSV infection and strengthen the immune system and thus may serve as potential antiviral therapeutic agents.

Anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory and hepatoprotective effects of Radix Bupleuri extract against oxidative damage in tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) via Nrf2 and TLRs signaling pathway

Radix Bupleuri extract (RBE) is one of the most popular oriental herbal medicines, which has anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory properties. However, its protective effects and underlying molecular mechanisms on oxidative damage in tilapia are still unclear. The aims of the study were to explore the anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory and hepatoprotective effects of RBE against oxidative damage, and to elucidate underlying molecular mechanisms in fish. Tilapia received diet containing three doses of RBE (0, 1 and 3 g/kg diet) for 60 days, and then were given an intraperitoneal injection of H₂O₂ or saline. Before injection, RBE treatments improved growth performance and partial anti-oxidative capacity in tilapia. After oxidative damage, RBE pretreatments were able to signally reduce the higher serum aminotransferases, alkaline phosphatase (AKP) and liver necrosis. In serum and liver, the abnormal lipid peroxidation level and antioxidant status induced by H₂O₂ injection were restored by RBE treatments. Furthermore, RBE treatments activated erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) signaling pathway, which promoted the gene expression of heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1), NAD(P) H:quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO-1), glutathione-S-transferase (GST) and catalase (CAT). Meanwhile, RBE treatments reduced inflammatory response by inhibiting TLRs-MyD88-NF-κB signaling pathway, accompanied by the lower interleukin-1β (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and IL-8 mRNA levels. In addition, RBE treatments upregulated complement (C3) gene expression and downregulated heat shock protein (HSP70) gene expression. In conclusion, the current study suggested that RBE pretreatments protected against H₂O₂-induced oxidative damage in tilapia. The beneficial activity of RBE may be due to the modulation of Nrf2/ARE and TLRs-Myd88-NF-κB signaling pathway.

Antiviral and Immunoregulatory Role Against PCV2 in Vivo of Chinese Herbal Medicinal Ingredients

Introduction

The aim of the research was to investigate the antiviral and immunoregulatory effects of saikosaponin A, saikosaponin D, Panax notoginseng saponins, notoginsenoside R1, and anemoside B4 saponins commonly found in Chinese herbal medicines.

Material and Methods

control mice were challenged intramuscularly (im) with 0.2 mL of porcine circovirus 2 (PCV2) solution containing 10⁷ TCID₅₀ of the virus/mL. Mice of high-, middle-, and low-dose saponin groups were initially challenged im with 0.2 mL of PCV2 solution and three days later treated intraperitoneally (ip) with one of five saponins at one of three doses (10, 5, or 1 mg/kg b.w.). In the drug control group, mice were dosed ip with 10 mg/kg b.w. of a given saponin, and mice in a blank control group were administered the same volume of normal saline.

Results

The results revealed that the saponins could reduce the incidence and severity of PCV2-induced immunopathological damage, e.g. body temperature elevation, weight loss, anaemia, and internal organ swelling. In addition, it was seen that the saponins could affect the immunoglobulin levels and protein absorption.

Conclusion

The data suggested that the saponins might effectively regulate immune responses.

Radix Bupleuri: A Review of Traditional Uses, Botany, Phytochemistry, Pharmacology, and Toxicology

Radix Bupleuri (Chaihu) has been used as a traditional medicine for more than 2000 years in China, Japan, Korea, and other Asian countries. Phytochemical studies demonstrated that this plant contains essential oils, triterpenoid saponins, polyacetylenes, flavonoids, lignans, fatty acids, and sterols. Crude extracts and pure compounds isolated from Radix Bupleuri exhibited various biological activities, such as anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antipyretic, antimicrobial, antiviral, hepatoprotective, neuroprotective, and immunomodulatory effects. However, Radix Bupleuri could also lead to hepatotoxicity, particularly in high doses and with long-term use. Pharmacokinetic studies have demonstrated that the major bioactive compounds (saikosaponins a, b₂, c, and d) were absorbed rapidly in rats after oral administration of the extract of Radix Bupleuri. This review aims to comprehensively summarize the traditional uses, botany, phytochemistry, pharmacology, toxicology, and pharmacokinetics of Radix Bupleuri reported to date with an emphasis on its biological properties and mechanisms of action.

Anthelmintic efficacy of cinnamaldehyde and cinnamic acid from cortex cinnamon essential oil against Dactylogyrus intermedius

Utilization of chemical pesticide to control monogenean diseases is often restricted in many countries due to the development of pesticide resistance and concerns of chemical residues and environmental contamination. Thus, the use of antiparasitic agents from plants has been explored as a possible way for controlling monogenean infections. Extracts from Cinnamomum cassia were investigated under in vivo conditions against Dactylogyrus intermedius in goldfish. The two bioactive compounds, cinnamaldehyde and cinnamic acid, were identified using nuclear magnetic resonance and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. The 48 h median effective concentrations (EC(50)) for these compounds against D. intermedius were 0·57 and 6·32 mg L(-1), respectively. The LD(50) of cinnamaldehyde and cinnamic acid were 13·34 and 59·66 mg L(-1) to goldfish in 48 h acute toxicity tests, respectively. These data confirm that cinnamaldehyde is effective against D. intermedius, and the cinnamaldehyde exhibits potential for the development of a candidate antiparasitic agent.