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Gao L, Zhang AP, Fu L, Li QW, Qin XM, Zhao J. Huangqin decoction attenuates spared nerve injury (SNI)-induced neuropathic pain by modulating microglial M1/M2 polarization partially mediated by intestinal nicotinamide metabolism. PHYTOMEDICINE : INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHYTOTHERAPY AND PHYTOPHARMACOLOGY 2024; 129:155594. [PMID: 38614040 DOI: 10.1016/j.phymed.2024.155594] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2024] [Revised: 03/13/2024] [Accepted: 04/05/2024] [Indexed: 04/15/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The incidence of neuropathic pain is progressively increasing over time. The activation of M1-type microglia plays a crucial role in the initiation and progression of neuropathic pain. Huangqin Decoction (HQD) is traditionally used to alleviate dysentery and abdominal pain. However, it remains unclear whether HQD can effectively mitigate neuropathic pain and the underlying mechanisms. PURPOSE The present study aims to investigate the impact of HQD on neuropathic pain induced by spared nerve injury (SNI) in mice, and to elucidate whether the analgesic effect of HQD is associated with microglia polarization. METHODS The analgesic effect of HQD on SNI mice was investigated through assessments of mechanical pain threshold, thermal pain threshold, cold pain threshold, and motor ability. We elucidated the molecular mechanisms of HQD in alleviating SNI-induced neuropathic pain by focusing on microglia polarization and intestinal metabolite abnormalities. The expression levels of markers associated with microglia polarization (Iba-1, CD68, CD206, iNOS) was detected by immunofluorescence and Western blot, and the levels of inflammatory factors (IL-4, IL-10, IL-6, TNF-α) were assessed by ELISA. UPLC-QTOF-MS metabolomics was utilized to identify differential metabolites in the intestines of SNI mice. We screened the differential metabolites related to microglial polarization by correlation analysis, subsequently nicotinamide was selected for validation in LPS-induced BV-2 cells. RESULTS Our findings demonstrated that HQD (20 g/kg) significantly enhanced the mechanical pain threshold, thermal pain threshold, and cold pain threshold, and protected the injured DRG neurons of SNI mice. Moreover, HQD (20 g/kg) obviously suppressed the expression of microglia M1 polarization markers (Iba-1, CD68, iNOS, IL-6, TNF-α), and promoted the expression of microglia M2 polarization markers (CD206, IL-10, IL-4) in the spinal cord of SNI mice. Additionally, HQD (20 g/kg) prominently ameliorated intestinal barrier damage by upregulating Claudin 1 and Occludin expression in the colon of SNI mice. Furthermore, HQD (20 g/kg) rectified 19 metabolite abnormalities in the intestine. Notably, nicotinamide (100 μM), an amide derivative with anti-inflammatory property, effectively suppresses microglia activation and polarization in LPS-induced BV-2 cells by downregulating IL-6 level and CD68 expression while upregulating IL-4 level and CD206 expression. CONCLUSION In summary, HQD alleviates neuropathic pain in SNI mice by regulating the activation and polarization of microglia, partially mediated through intestinal nicotinamide metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Gao
- Modern Research Center for Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, 030006, Shanxi, PR China; The Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology and Molecular Engineering of Ministry of Education, PR China; The Key Laboratory of Effective Substances Research and Utilization in TCM of Shanxi Province, PR China.
| | - Ai-Ping Zhang
- Modern Research Center for Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, 030006, Shanxi, PR China; The Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology and Molecular Engineering of Ministry of Education, PR China; The Key Laboratory of Effective Substances Research and Utilization in TCM of Shanxi Province, PR China
| | - Lei Fu
- Modern Research Center for Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, 030006, Shanxi, PR China; The Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology and Molecular Engineering of Ministry of Education, PR China; The Key Laboratory of Effective Substances Research and Utilization in TCM of Shanxi Province, PR China
| | - Qian-Wen Li
- Modern Research Center for Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, 030006, Shanxi, PR China; The Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology and Molecular Engineering of Ministry of Education, PR China; The Key Laboratory of Effective Substances Research and Utilization in TCM of Shanxi Province, PR China
| | - Xue-Mei Qin
- Modern Research Center for Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, 030006, Shanxi, PR China; The Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology and Molecular Engineering of Ministry of Education, PR China; The Key Laboratory of Effective Substances Research and Utilization in TCM of Shanxi Province, PR China
| | - Jing Zhao
- Wolfson Institute for Biomedical Research, University College London, UK, London.
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Ding X, Ma X, Meng P, Yue J, Li L, Xu L. Potential Effects of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Anti-Aging and Aging-Related Diseases: Current Evidence and Perspectives. Clin Interv Aging 2024; 19:681-693. [PMID: 38706635 PMCID: PMC11070163 DOI: 10.2147/cia.s447514] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 05/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Aging and aging-related diseases present a global public health problem. Therefore, the development of efficient anti-aging drugs has become an important area of research. Traditional Chinese medicine is an important complementary and alternative branch of aging-related diseases therapy. Recently, a growing number of studies have revealed that traditional Chinese medicine has a certain delaying effect on the progression of aging and aging-related diseases. Here, we review the progress in research into using traditional Chinese medicine for aging and aging-related diseases (including neurodegenerative diseases, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and cancer). Furthermore, we summarize the potential mechanisms of action of traditional Chinese medicine and provide references for further studies on aging and aging-related diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xue Ding
- Department of Medical, The First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xiuxia Ma
- Department of AIDS Clinical Research Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Pengfei Meng
- Department of the First Clinical Medical College, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jingyu Yue
- Department of AIDS Clinical Research Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Liangping Li
- Department of Graduate, The First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Liran Xu
- Department of the First Clinical Medical College, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, People’s Republic of China
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Tao Y, Wang L, Ye X, Qian X, Pan D, Dong X, Jiang Q, Hu P. Huang Qin decoction increases SLC6A4 expression and blocks the NFκB-mediated NLRP3/Caspase1/GSDMD pathway to disrupt colitis-associated carcinogenesis. Funct Integr Genomics 2024; 24:55. [PMID: 38467948 PMCID: PMC10927794 DOI: 10.1007/s10142-024-01334-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2023] [Revised: 01/23/2024] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 03/13/2024]
Abstract
Huang Qin decoction (HQD) is a traditional Chinese medicine formula for treating colitis, but the effects and molecular mechanism of action of HQD in colitis-associated carcinogenesis (CAC) are still unclear. Therefore, we aimed to determine the beneficial effects of HQD on CAC in mice and to reveal the underlying mechanism involved. AOM/DSS was used to induce CAC in mice, and the effects of HQD on tumorigenesis in mice were examined (with mesalazine serving as a positive control). Mesalazine or HQD treatment alleviated body weight loss and decreased the disease activity index in mice induced by AOM/DSS. Mesalazine or HQD treatment also suppressed the shortening of colon tissue length, the number of tumors, and the infiltration of inflammatory cells. The genes targeted by HQD were predicted and verified, followed by knockout experiments. Elevated SLC6A4 and inhibited serotonin production and inflammation were observed in HQD-treated mice. HQD inhibited the NFκB and NLRP3/caspase1/GSDMD pathways. The therapeutic effect of HQD was diminished in SLC6A4-deficient AOM/DSS mice. Additionally, the downregulation of SLC6A4 mitigated the inhibitory effect of HQD-containing serum on MODE-K cell pyroptosis. Our findings suggest that SLC6A4 is a pivotal regulator of HQD-alleviated CAC via its modulation of the NLRP3/caspase1/GSDMD pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yili Tao
- Department of Gastroenterology, Changzhou Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Changzhou, 213000, Jiangsu, P.R. China
| | - Lai Wang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Changzhou Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Changzhou, 213000, Jiangsu, P.R. China
| | - Xiaofeng Ye
- Department of Gastroenterology, Changzhou Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Changzhou, 213000, Jiangsu, P.R. China
| | - Xin Qian
- Department of Gastroenterology, Changzhou Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Changzhou, 213000, Jiangsu, P.R. China
| | - Danye Pan
- Department of Gastroenterology, Changzhou Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Changzhou, 213000, Jiangsu, P.R. China
| | - Xiaoyu Dong
- Department of Gastroenterology, Changzhou Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Changzhou, 213000, Jiangsu, P.R. China
| | - Qian Jiang
- Digestive Disease Diagnosis and Treatment Center of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Changzhou Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Changzhou, 213000, Jiangsu, P.R. China
| | - Po Hu
- Department of Pulmonary Diseases, Changzhou Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Changzhou, 213000, Jiangsu, P.R. China.
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Zhao W, Ji C, Zheng J, Zhou S, Tian J, Han Y, Qin X. Effects of Xiaoyao San on exercise capacity and liver mitochondrial metabolomics in rat depression model. CHINESE HERBAL MEDICINES 2024; 16:132-142. [PMID: 38375048 PMCID: PMC10874765 DOI: 10.1016/j.chmed.2023.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2023] [Revised: 07/05/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 02/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Objective This study aimed to investigate the therapeutic effects of Xiaoyao San (XYS), a herbal medicine formula, on exercise capacity and liver mitochondrial metabolomics in a rat model of depression induced by chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS). Methods A total of 24 male SD rats were randomly divided into four groups: control group (C), CUMS control group (M), Venlafaxine positive treatment group (V), and XYS treatment group (X). Depressive behaviour and exercise capacity of rats were assessed by body weight, sugar-water preference test, open field test, pole test, and rotarod test. The liver mitochondria metabolomics were analyzed by using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) method. TCMSP database and GeneCards database were used to screen XYS for potential targets for depression, and GO and KEGG enrichment analyses were performed. Results Compared with C group, rats in M group showed significantly lower body weight, sugar water preference rate, number of crossing and rearing in the open field test, climbing down time in the pole test, and retention time on the rotarod test (P < 0.01). The above behaviors and exercise capacity indices were significantly modulated in rats in V and X groups compared with M group (P < 0.05, 0.01). Compared with C group, a total of 18 different metabolites were changed in the liver mitochondria of rats in M group. Nine different metabolites and six metabolic pathways were regulated in the liver mitochondria of rats in X group compared with M group. The results of network pharmacology showed that 88 intersecting targets for depression and XYS were obtained, among which 15 key targets such as IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF were predicted to be the main differential targets for the treatment of depression. Additionally, a total of 1 553 GO signaling pathways and 181 KEGG signaling pathways were identified, and the main biological pathways were AGE-RAGE signaling pathway, HIF-1 signaling pathway, and calcium signaling pathway. Conclusion XYS treatment could improve depressive symptoms, enhance exercise capacity, positively regulate the changes of mitochondrial metabolites and improve energy metabolism in the liver of depressed rats. These findings suggest that XYS exerts antidepressant effects through multi-target and multi-pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weidi Zhao
- School of Physical Education, Shanxi University, Taiyuan 030006, China
| | - Cui Ji
- School of Health, Yantai Nanshan University, Yantai 265706, China
| | - Jie Zheng
- School of Physical Education, Shanxi University, Taiyuan 030006, China
| | - Shi Zhou
- Physical Activity, Sport and Exercise Research Theme, Faculty of Health, Southern Cross University, Lismore NSW2480, Australia
| | - Junsheng Tian
- Institute of Biomedicine and Health, Shanxi University, Taiyuan 030006, China
- Modern Research Center for Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanxi University, Taiyuan 030006, China
| | - Yumei Han
- School of Physical Education, Shanxi University, Taiyuan 030006, China
- Institute of Biomedicine and Health, Shanxi University, Taiyuan 030006, China
| | - Xuemei Qin
- Institute of Biomedicine and Health, Shanxi University, Taiyuan 030006, China
- Modern Research Center for Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanxi University, Taiyuan 030006, China
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Yan BF, Wang Y, Wang WB, Ding XJ, Wei B, Liu SJ, Fu TM, Chen L, Zhang JZ, Liu J, Zheng X. Huangqin decoction mitigates hepatic inflammation in high-fat diet-challenged rats by inhibiting TLR4/NF-κB/NLRP3 pathway. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2023; 303:115999. [PMID: 36509260 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2022.115999] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2022] [Revised: 11/24/2022] [Accepted: 11/25/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has become the most common chronic hepatopathy worldwide, in which ectopic steatosis (5%) and inflammatory infiltration in the liver are the principal clinical characteristics. Huangqin decoction (HQD), a Chinese medicine formula used in the clinic for thousands of years, presents appreciable anti-inflammatory effects. Nevertheless, the role and mechanism of HQD against inflammation in NAFLD are still undefined. AIM OF THE STUDY The objective of this study was to evaluate the curative efficacy and unravel the involved mechanism of HQD on a high-fat diet (HFD)-induced NAFLD. MATERIALS AND METHODS First, HPLC was utilized to analyze the main chemical components of HQD. Then, NAFLD model was introduced by subjecting the rats to HFD for 16 weeks, and HQD (400 and 800 mg/kg) or polyene lecithin choline (PLC, 8 mg/kg) was given orally from week 8-16. Pharmacodynamic indicators including body weight, liver weight, liver index, as well as biochemical and histological parameters were assessed. As to mechanism exploration, the expressions of TLR4/NF-κB/NLRP3 pathway and molecular docking between major phytochemicals of HQD and key targets of TLR4/NF-κB/NLRP3 pathway were investigated. RESULTS Seven main monomeric constituents of HQD were revealed by HPLC analysis. Of note, HQD could effectively attenuate the body weight, liver weight, and liver index, rescue disorders in serum transaminases and lipid profile, correct hepatic histological abnormalities, and reduce phagocytes infiltration into the liver and pro-inflammatory cytokines release in NAFLD rats. Mechanism investigation discovered that HQD harbored inhibitory effects on TLR4/NF-κB/NLRP3 pathway-regulated liver inflammation. Further exploration found that seven phytochemicals in HQD exhibited better binding modes with TLR4/NF-κB/NLRP3 pathway, in which baicalein, baicalin and liquiritin presented the highest affinity and docking score for protein TLR4, NF-κB, and NLRP3, respectively. CONCLUSIONS These findings confirmed that HQD ameliorated hepatic inflammation in NAFLD rats by blocking the TLR4/NF-κB/NLRP3 pathway, with multi-components and multi-targets action pattern.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bao-Fei Yan
- Jiangsu Health Vocational College, Nanjing, 211800, PR China; School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, PR China
| | - Yun Wang
- Department of Dermatology, Affiliated Huai'an Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, the Second People's Hospital of Huai'an, Huai'an, 223002, PR China
| | - Wen-Bo Wang
- Department of Pharmacy, Affiliated Kunshan Hospital of Jiangsu University, Kunshan, 215300, PR China
| | - Xiao-Jun Ding
- Department of Otolaryngology, Affiliated Kunshan Hospital of Jiangsu University, Kunshan, 215300, PR China
| | - Bin Wei
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Affiliated Kunshan Hospital of Jiangsu University, Kunshan, 215300, PR China
| | - Sheng-Jin Liu
- School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, PR China
| | - Ting-Ming Fu
- School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, PR China
| | - Ling Chen
- Jiangsu Health Vocational College, Nanjing, 211800, PR China
| | | | - Jia Liu
- Jiangsu Health Vocational College, Nanjing, 211800, PR China.
| | - Xian Zheng
- Department of Pharmacy, Affiliated Kunshan Hospital of Jiangsu University, Kunshan, 215300, PR China.
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