Rhizoma Coptidis: A Potential Cardiovascular Protective Agent

Epiberberine ameliorates MNNG-induced chronic atrophic gastritis by acting on the EGFR-IL33 axis

Chronic atrophic gastritis (CAG) is a prevalent form of chronic gastritis that presents with chronic inflammation of the gastric mucosa, localised gastric mucosal glandular atrophy and intestinal metaplasia. Despite the existence of diagnostic criteria, effective therapeutic strategies for this condition remain to be developed. The objective of this study was to examine the potential therapeutic benefits of epiberberine in mitigating MNNG-induced CAG and to elucidate the underlying mechanisms. MNNG was employed to establish a CAG mouse model and a GES-1 cell model, and EPI was observed to be efficacious in ameliorating the gastric mucosal injury and inflammatory infiltration induced by MNNG in the CAG model mice, a finding that was subsequently validated in the GES-1 model cells. Bioinformatics analysis indicated that EPI may exert a direct effect on EGFR, thereby regulating the expression of IL-33 and thereby achieving the therapeutic effect of CAG. This hypothesis was also validated by molecular docking prediction, CETSA, and overexpression of EGFR in GES-1 model cells, using EGFR agonists and inhibitors to further demonstrate that EPI may act as an antagonist supplement to EGFR for the treatment of CAG.

Long term Coptidis Rhizoma intake induce gastrointestinal emptying inhibition and colon barrier weaken via bitter taste receptors activation in mice

BACKGROUND

Coptidis Rhizoma, a classic bitter traditional Chinese medicine, can lead to digestive dysfunction when long-term use according to traditional experience. Bitter taste receptors have been found to regulate gastrointestinal smooth muscle contraction. Coptidis Rhizoma alkaloids are potential agonists for bitter taste receptors, but whether they can induce gastrointestinal dysfunction via bitter taste receptors is not clear.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study is to elucidate whether long-term Coptidis Rhizoma decoction/berberine intake can affect gastrointestinal function via bitter taste receptors.

METHODS

Firstly, mice were orally administered Coptidis Rhizoma decoction (or berberine) for 8 weeks, then their appetite, gastrointestinal emptying function, colon barrier function, and gut microbiota homeostasis were evaluated. Subsequently, isolated intestine, molecular docking, calcium release, and immunofluorescence co-localization experiments were applied to explore the mechanism of Coptidis Rhizoma decoction (or berberine) inhibition effects on gastrointestinal motility. Finally, transmembrane resistance, scratch assay, tight junction and cytoskeletal protein immunofluorescence staining were conducted to verify that the bitter taste receptor is the target for Coptidis Rhizoma decoction (or berberine) to damage the colon barrier function.

RESULT

Long-term Coptidis Rhizoma decoction (or berberine) intake can reduce appetite, inhibit gastrointestinal contractions, disrupt bacterial balance and colon barrier function in mice. Further mechanistic studies have shown that the alkaloids of Coptidis Rhizoma are agonists for bitter taste receptors, which can promote α-gustducin binding to CHRM3 by activating bitter taste receptors, finally inhibiting gastrointestinal smooth muscle contraction. In addition, Coptidis Rhizoma decoction (or berberine) can activate bitter taste receptors and its downstream pathways PKCβ/RhoA/ROCK1/MLC-2, reshape skeletal proteins, downregulate tight junction protein expression, and ultimately disrupt colon barrier function.

CONCLUSIONS

Long term Coptidis Rhizoma intake induce gastrointestinal emptying inhibition and colon barrier weaken via bitter taste receptor activation in mice.

Advancements in MRSA treatment: the role of berberine in enhancing antibiotic therapy

BACKGROUND

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a significant public health problem. This study investigated the antimicrobial properties and mechanisms of berberine (BBR), a plant alkaloid, against MRSA, evaluating its potential to enhance antibiotic therapy.

RESULTS

Berberine only demonstrated variable but significant inhibitory effects on 50 clinical MRSA strains. When combined with antibiotics, synergistic effects were observed only with amikacin in 6 of the 50 MRSA strains. BBR disrupted MRSA cell wall integrity, leading to leakage of cellular contents. Network pharmacology analysis revealed that BBR targets multiple pathways essential for bacterial survival.

CONCLUSION

The study confirmed the potent antimicrobial activity of berberine against MRSA and its capability to act synergistically with traditional antibiotics. Berberine's impact on cell wall integrity and bacterial survival pathways highlights its potential as an adjunct therapy in MRSA treatment.

Cyberpharmacology uncover the mechanism of the total Rhizoma Coptidis extracts ameliorate chronic atrophic gastritis

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Characterized by inflammation of the gastric mucosa, atrophy of gastric gland cells, and intestinal metaplasia, Chronic Atrophic Gastritis (CAG) is a precancerous lesion disease. In traditional Chinese medicine, Rhizoma Coptidis (RC) is extensively used for treating gastrointestinal disorders, mainly because RC alkaloids-based extracts are the main active pharmaceutical ingredients. Total Rhizoma Coptidis extracts (TRCE) is a mixture of Rhizoma Coptidis extracts from Rhizoma Coptidis with alkaloids as the main components. However, the efficacy and mechanism of TRCE on CAG need further study.

AIM OF THE STUDY

To explore the therapeutic effect and underlying mechanisms of action of TRCE on N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG)-induced chronic atrophic gastritis (CAG) using network pharmacological analysis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The amelioration effect of TRCE on CAG was evaluated in MNNG-induced CAG mice. The pathological severity of the mice was evaluated through H&E staining. Detection of gastric mucosal parietal cell loss was conducted using immunofluorescence staining, and serum indices were measured using ELISA. Additionally, the active compounds and drug targets of Rhizoma Coptidis were curated from the STP, SEA, and TCMSP databases, alongside disease targets of CAG sourced from PharmGkb, OMIM, and GeneCards databases. By mapping drug targets to disease targets, overlapping targets were identified. A shared protein-protein interaction (PPI) and drug target network were constructed for the overlapping targets and analyzed for KEGG enrichment.

RESULTS

The results of animal experiments demonstrate that TRCE has the potential to improve the CAG process in mice. In conjunction with disease characteristics, cyberpharmacology analysis has identified nine core compounds, 151 targets, 10 core targets, and five significant inflammatory pathways within the compound-target-pathway network. Furthermore, there is a remarkable coincidence rate of 98% between the core compound targets of TRCE and the targets present in the CAG disease database. The accurate search and calculation of literature reports indicate that the coverage rate for 121 predicted core targets related to CAG reaches 81%. The primary characteristic of CAG lies in its inflammatory process. Both predicted and experimental findings confirm that TRCE can regulate ten key inflammation-associated targets (TP53, STAT3, AKT1, HSP90AA1, TNF, IL-6, MAPK3, SRC, JUN, and HSP90AA1) as well as inflammation-related pathways (MAPK, HIF-1, Toll-Like Receptor, IL-17, TNF, and other signaling pathways). These mechanisms mitigate inflammation and reduce gastric mucosal damage in CAG mice.

CONCLUSIONS

In conclusion, TRCE was shown to alleviate CAG by modulating TP53, STAT3, AKT1, HSP90AA1, TNF, IL-6, MAPK3, SRC, JUN, and EGFR, as demonstrated by combined network pharmacology and biological experiments. In conclusion, our study provides a robust foundation for future clinical trials evaluating the efficacy of RC in treating CAG.

A Novel Delivery System for the Combined Use of Natural Ingredients: The Preparation of Berberine Hydrochloride-Matrine Liposomes and Preliminary Exploration of Their Anti-Tumor Activity

Berberine hydrochloride (BH) extracted from Coptis chinensis (CC) and Matrine (MT) separated from Sophora flavescens (SF) are alkaloids with potent anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, and anti-tumor effects. Motivated by the clinical practice of using CC and SF together, we aimed to demonstrate that the synergistic application of the natural compounds BH and MT could enhance therapeutic effects and minimize side effects. Two types of liposomes, liposomes containing only BH (BH-LP) and liposomes containing both BH and MT (BH-MT-LP), were successfully prepared via the reverse evaporation method. The liposome preparation process was optimized by single-factor screening and the Box-Behnken experimental design method. The results showed that the liposomes had particle sizes in the range of 222.7 to 235.4 nm, polydispersity indicated in the range of 11.8% to 23.3%, and zeta potentials in the range of -35.9 to -31.1 mv. BH-MT-LP showed superior anti-tumor activity against MDA-MB-231, HepG-2, and HGC-27 cells in vitro. The incorporation of MT effectively promoted the anti-tumor effect of BH, while the controlled release from liposomes further enhanced the therapeutic efficacy of BH. Furthermore, based on the flow cytometry results, we speculated that BH-MT-LP might promote apoptosis by blocking the G1 phase of cells and inducing cell death. In conclusion, BH-MT-LP provides evidence for the combined use of natural compounds as a stable, safe, and practical drug delivery system for the treatment of potential cancers. Meanwhile, the successful preparation for BH-MT-LP also provides a new approach to the combined use of traditional Chinese medicine ingredients.

Advances in the pharmacological mechanisms of berberine in the treatment of fibrosis

The rising incidence of fibrosis poses a major threat to global public health, and the continuous exploration of natural products for the effective treatment of fibrotic diseases is crucial. Berberine (BBR), an isoquinoline alkaloid, is widely used clinically for its anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor and anti-fibrotic pharmacological effects. Until now, researchers have worked to explore the mechanisms of BBR for the treatment of fibrosis, and multiple studies have found that BBR attenuates fibrosis through different pathways such as TGF-β/Smad, AMPK, Nrf2, PPAR-γ, NF-κB, and Notch/snail axis. This review describes the anti-fibrotic mechanism of BBR and its derivatives, and the safety evaluation and toxicity studies of BBR. This provides important therapeutic clues and strategies for exploring new drugs for the treatment of fibrosis. Nevertheless, more studies, especially clinical studies, are still needed. We believe that with the continuous implementation of high-quality studies, significant progress will be made in the treatment of fibrosis.

A haplotype-resolved genome assembly of Coptis teeta, an endangered plant of significant medicinal value

Coptis teeta Wall. (Ranunculaceae), an endangered plant species of significant medicinal value, predominantly undergoes clonal propagation, potentially compromising the species' evolutionary potential and ultimately increase its risk of extinction. In this study, we successfully assembled two sets of haploid genomes (Hap1 and Hap2) for C. teeta, comprising nine homologous chromosome pairs, by employing Illumina and PacBio sequencing technologies. The genome annotation identified a total of 43,979 and 46,311 protein-coding genes in Hap1 and in Hap2, and most of them were functionally annotated. The high-quality reference genome will serve as an indispensable genomic resource for conservation and comprehensive exploitation of this endangered species. Between the two haploid genomes, numerous structural alterations were detected within the nine homologous chromosome pairs, potentially resulting in aberrant synapsis and irregular chromosomal segregation and thus contributing to the sustained preservation of clonal propagation in C. teeta. The findings offer new perspective for elucidating the genetic mechanism underlying the compromised sexual reproductive capacity of C. teeta, thereby facilitating its enhancement though molecular breeding and genetic improvement.

Targeted delivery of berberine using bionic nanomaterials for Atherosclerosis therapy

Atherosclerosis (AS) is a prevalent chronic vascular inflammatory disease globally, initiated by injury to vascular endothelial cells (VECs). Macrophages play a pivotal role in disease pathogenesis, involving lipid metabolism and inflammation. The application of nanomaterials has been hindered by their rapid clearance by the immune system. Utilizing macrophage cell membranes can mitigate abnormal immune responses and induce a "homing" effect. Here, M2 macrophage cell membranes (M2) were coated onto berberine polylactic-hydroxylase-polylactide (PLGA) nanoparticles (BBR NPs), employing M2 macrophage immune escape, "homing" ability, and membrane coating nanotechnology, and loaded with mannose (Man) to create bionic nanoparticles (BBR NPs@Man/M2). Subsequently, the physical properties of BBR NPs@Man/M2 were characterized. The biocompatibility and biological function of BBR NPs@Man/M2 were assessed in vitro. Finally, the targeting, therapeutic efficacy, and safety of BBR NPs@M2 were investigated in an AS mouse model. The newly developed BBR NPs@Man/M2 exhibited good biocompatibility. Owing to their M2 coating, the nanoparticles effectively targeted macrophages in vitro, inducing a shift from a pro-inflammatory to an anti-inflammatory state. This transition reduced inflammation in endothelial cells and facilitated the repair of damaged endothelial cells. Moreover, M2-coated nanoparticles efficiently targeted and accumulated in atherosclerotic lesions in vivo. Following four weeks of treatment, BBR NPs@Man/M2 significantly delayed AS progression. Furthermore, BBR NPs@Man/M2 demonstrated a good safety profile after long-term administration. In conclusion, BBR NPs@Man/M2 effectively and safely inhibited AS progression. Biomimetic nanoparticles represent a promising approach for the safe and effective delivery of anti-AS drugs.

Inhibitory effect of flavonoids on multidrug and toxin extrusion protein 1 function: Implications for food/herb-drug interaction and drug-induced kidney injury

Multidrug and toxin extrusion protein 1 (MATE1), an efflux transporter mainly expressed in renal proximal tubules, mediates the renal secretion of organic cationic drugs. The inhibition of MATE1 will impair the excretion of drugs into the tubular lumen, leading to the accumulation of nephrotoxic drugs in the kidney and consequently potentiating nephrotoxicity. Screening and identifying potent MATE1 inhibitors can predict or minimize the risk of drug-induced kidney injury. Flavonoids, a group of polyphenols commonly found in foodstuffs and herbal products, have been reported to cause transporter-mediated food/herb-drug interactions. Our objective was to investigate the inhibitory effects of flavonoids on MATE1 in vitro and in vivo and to assess the effects of flavonoids on cisplatin-induced kidney injury. Thirteen flavonoids exhibited significant transport activity inhibition (>50%) on MATE1 in MATE1-MDCK cells. Among them, the six strongest flavonoid inhibitors, including irisflorentin, silymarin, isosilybin, sinensetin, tangeretin, and nobiletin, markedly increased cisplatin cytotoxicity in these cells. In cisplatin-induced in vivo renal injury models, irisflorentin, isosilybin, and sinensetin also increased serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen levels to different degrees, especially irisflorentin, which exhibited the most potent nephrotoxicity with cisplatin. The pharmacophore model indicated that the hydrogen bond acceptors at the 3, 5, and 7 positions may play a critical role in the inhibitory effect of flavonoids on MATE1. Our findings provide helpful information for predicting the potential risks of flavonoid-containing food/herb-drug interactions and avoiding the exacerbation of drug-induced kidney injury via MATE1 mediation.

Enhancing β-cell function and identity in type 2 diabetes: The protective role of Coptis deltoidea C. Y. Cheng et Hsiao via glucose metabolism modulation and AMPK signaling activation

BACKGROUND

Abnormalities in glucose metabolism may be the underlying cause of β-cell dysfunction and identity impairment resulting from high glucose exposure. In China, Coptis deltoidea C. Y. Cheng et Hsiao (YL) has demonstrated remarkable hypoglycemic effects.

HYPOTHESIS/PURPOSE

To investigate the hypoglycemic effect of YL and determine the mechanism of YL in treating diabetes.

METHODS

A type 2 diabetes mouse model was used to investigate the pharmacodynamics of YL. YL was administrated once daily for 8 weeks. The hypoglycemic effect of YL was assessed by fasting blood glucose, an oral glucose tolerance test, insulin levels, and other indexes. The underlying mechanism of YL was examined by targeting glucose metabolomics, western blotting, and qRT-PCR. Subsequently, the binding capacity between predicted AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and important components of YL (Cop, Ber, and Epi) were validated by molecular docking and surface plasmon resonance. Then, in AMPK knockdown MIN6 cells, the mechanisms of Cop, Ber, and Epi were inversely confirmed through evaluations encompassing glucose-stimulated insulin secretion, markers indicative of β-cell identity, and the examination of glycolytic genes and products.

RESULTS

YL (0.9 g/kg) treatment exerted notable hypoglycemic effects and protected the structural integrity and identity of pancreatic β-cells. Metabolomic analysis revealed that YL inhibited the hyperactivated glycolysis pathway in diabetic mice, thereby regulating the products of the tricarboxylic acid cycle. KEGG enrichment revealed the intimate relationship of this process with the AMPK signaling pathway. Cop, Ber, and Epi in YL displayed high binding affinities for AMPK protein. These compounds played a pivotal role in preserving the identity of pancreatic β-cells and amplifying insulin secretion. The mechanism underlying this process involved inhibition of glucose uptake, lowering intracellular lactate levels, and elevating acetyl coenzyme A and ATP levels through AMPK signaling. The use of a glycolytic inhibitor corroborated that attenuation of glycolysis restored β-cell identity and function.

CONCLUSION

YL demonstrates significant hypoglycemic efficacy. We elucidated the potential mechanisms underlying the protective effects of YL and its active constituents on β-cell function and identity by observing glucose metabolism processes in pancreatic tissue and cells. In this intricate process, AMPK plays a pivotal regulatory role.

Primary study on the effects and mechanisms of separate and combined decoctions of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi - Coptis chinensis Franch extracts in relieving acute alcoholic liver injury in rats

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi (SBG) and Coptis chinensis Franch (CCF) are traditional herbal medicine pairs used for clearing heat and eliminating dampness, stopping diarrhea, and detoxification. Traditionally, these two herbs are combined and decocted together, but the modern preparation procedures separate them to avoid the large amount of precipitation generated from co-decoction. Thus, a conflict lies between the traditional and modern extraction processes of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi - Coptis chinensis Franch (SBG-CCF).

AIM OF STUDY

There is a conflict between traditional medical practices of SBG-CCF and the modern formulation industry. In this study, we investigated the differences in the effects and mechanisms of SBG-CCF extracted by decocting separately and combining decoctions, as well as the scientific effectiveness of traditional and modern treatment methods on both. Acute alcoholic liver injury (ALI) rats were used as the pathological model.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

SD rats were divided into 8 groups, including blank group, model group, low, medium, and high dose groups of SBG-CCF separated decoction, low, medium, and high dose groups of SBG-CCF combined decoction. Acute alcoholic liver injury model was induced in rats by gradually increasing the dose of alcohol through gavage everyday using white wine with an alcohol content 52%. Aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and reduced glutathione (GSH) were used as indicators to assess the intervention effect of SBG-CCF. And the potential active ingredients of SBG-CCF and the targets related to ALI were screened using network pharmacology, and the prediction results of network pharmacology were verified by quantitative real-time fluorescence PCR (qRT-PCR).

RESULTS

SBG-CCF decoction alone and six combinations of decoctions have different degrees of improvement on alcoholic liver injury, with significant efficacy in the middle-dose group, and the combined decoction was superior to the individual decoction. SBG-CCF gavage can reduce the activity of AST, ALT, TC, TG, LDH, and MDA in the serum and liver of ALI rats, while increasing the levels of SOD and GSH. Network pharmacological analysis identified 39 active components, mainly flavonoids and alkaloids. Enrichment analysis suggested that SBG-CCF may treat ALI through the regulation of tumor necrosis factor (TNF), mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), interleukin-17 (IL-17), apoptosis, and the Toll-like receptor signaling pathways. The key targets in the Disease-Signaling Pathway-Target Network were MAPK8, IKBKB, MAPK10, MAPK3, MAPK1, and AKT1. qRT-PCR results indicated that targets regulating inflammation and lipid metabolism are MAPK8, MAPK10, MAPK3, and AKT1.

CONCLUSION

SBG-CCF separately extracts and combines decoction can alleviate acute alcoholic liver injury, and the effect of combined decoction is more significant than separate decoction, implying that the precipitate produced by the combination of the two is also an active substance. The resistance mechanism of SBG-CCF ALI may be related to the modulation of lipid metabolism, inhibition of lipid peroxidation, and oxidative stress. SBG-CCF has the characteristics of multi-component, multi-pathway, and multi-target resistance to ALI.

Coptisine inhibits neointimal hyperplasia through attenuating Pak1/Pak2 signaling in vascular smooth muscle cells without retardation of re-endothelialization

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Vascular injury-induced endothelium-denudation and profound vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) proliferation and dis-regulated apoptosis lead to post-angioplasty restenosis. Coptisine (CTS), an isoquinoline alkaloid, has multiple beneficial effects on the cardiovascular system. Recent studies identified it selectively inhibits VSMCs proliferation. However, its effects on neointimal hyperplasia, re-endothelialization, and the underlying mechanisms are still unclear.

METHODS

Cell viability was assayed by 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazole-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) and cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8). Cell proliferation and apoptosis were measured by flow cytometry and immunofluorescence of Ki67 and TUNEL. Quantitative phosphoproteomics (QPP) was employed to screen CTS-responsive phosphor-sites in the key regulators of cell proliferation and apoptosis. Neointimal hyperplasia was induced by balloon injury of rat left carotid artery (LCA). Adenoviral gene transfer was conducted in both cultured cells and LCA. Re-endothelialization was evaluated by Evan's blue staining of LCA.

RESULTS

1) CTS had strong anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic effects in cultured rat VSMCs, with the EC50 4∼10-folds lower than that in endothelial cells (ECs). 2) Rats administered with CTS, either locally to LCA's periadventitial space or orally, demonstrated a potently inhibited balloon injury-induced neointimal hyperplasia, but had no delaying effect on re-endothelialization. 3) The QPP results revealed that the phosphorylation levels of Pak1S144/S203, Pak2S20/S197, Erk1T202/Y204, Erk2T185/Y187, and BadS136 were significantly decreased in VSMCs by CTS. 4) Adenoviral expression of phosphomimetic mutants Pak1D144/D203/Pak2D20/D197 enhanced Pak1/2 activities, stimulated the downstream pErk1T202/Y204/pErk2T185/Y187/pErk3S189/pBadS136, attenuated CTS-mediated inhibition of VSMCs proliferation and promotion of apoptosis in vitro, and potentiated neointimal hyperplasia in vivo. 5) Adenoviral expression of phosphoresistant mutants Pak1A144/A203/Pak2A20/A197 inactivated Pak1/2 and totally simulated the inhibitory effects of CTS on platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-stimulated VSMCs proliferation and PDGF-inhibited apoptosis in vitro and neointimal hyperplasia in vivo. 6) LCA injury significantly enhanced the endogenous phosphorylation levels of all but pBadS136. CTS markedly attenuated all the enhanced levels.

CONCLUSIONS

These results indicate that CTS is a promising medicine for prevention of post-angioplasty restenosis without adverse impact on re-endothelialization. CTS-directed suppression of pPak1S144/S203/pPak2S20/S197 and the subsequent effects on downstream pErk1T202/Y204/pErk2T185/Y187/pErk3S189 and pBadS136 underline its mechanisms of inhibition of VSMCs proliferation and stimulation of apoptosis. Therefore, the phosphor-sites of Pak1S144/S203/Pak2S20/S197 constitute a potential drug-screening target for fighting neointimal hyperplasia restenosis.

Palmatine alleviates cardiac fibrosis by inhibiting fibroblast activation through the STAT3 pathway

Cardiac fibrosis, the hallmark of cardiovascular disease, is characterized by excessive deposition of extracellular matrix in the heart. Emerging evidence indicates that cardiac fibroblasts (CFs) play pivotal roles in driving cardiac fibrosis. However, due to incomplete insights into CFs, there are limited effective approaches to prevent or reverse cardiac fibrosis currently. Palmatine, a protoberberine alkaloid extracted from traditional Chinese botanical remedies, possesses diverse biological effects. This study investigated the potential therapeutic value and mechanism of palmatine against cardiac fibrosis. Adult male C57BL/6 mice were treated with vehicle, isoproterenol (ISO), or ISO plus palmatine for one week. After echocardiography assessment, mice hearts were collected for histopathology, real-time polymerase chain reaction, and Western blot analyses. Primary rat CFs were utilized in vitro. Compared to control, ISO-treated mice exhibited cardiac hypertrophy and structural abnormalities; however, treatment with palmatine ameliorated these effects of ISO. Moreover, palmatine treatment mitigated ISO-induced cardiac fibrosis. Network pharmacology and molecular docking analysis showed that palmatine strongly binds the regulators of cardiac fibrosis including signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) and mammalian target of rapamycin. Furthermore, palmatine reduced the elevated fibrotic factor expressions and overactivated STAT3 induced by ISO, Transformed growth factor β1 (TGF-β1), or interleukin-6 both in vivo and in vitro. Additionally, blocking STAT3 suppressed the TGF-β1-induced CF activation. Collectively, these data demonstrated that palmatine attenuated cardiac fibrosis partly by inhibiting fibroblast activation through the STAT3 pathway. This provides an experimental basis for the clinical treatment of cardiac fibrosis with palmatine.

Baitouweng decoction repairs the intestinal barrier in DSS-induced colitis mice via regulation of AMPK/mTOR-mediated autophagy

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is one of non-specific inflammatory bowel disease that mainly affects the colon. Recently, UC has become a significant social and economic problem worldwide. Baitouweng decoction (BD), a traditional Chinese medicine described in the "Treatise on Febrile Diseases", has been used for centuries to treat intestinal diseases. However, its underlying mechanism remains largely unexplored.

AIM OF STUDY

In this study, we aimed to investigate the effect of BD on autophagy for repairing the colonic barrier in DSS-induced colitis mice and explored its role in regulating the autophagic signaling pathway AMPK/mTOR.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Mice with colitis were treated with 3% dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) for 7 days. The effectiveness of BD in treating DSS-induced colitis was evaluated through body weight, disease activity index (DAI), colon length, pathological changes, organ index, and proportion of blood cells. Moreover, intestinal epithelial permeability was analyzed by examining FITC-dextran leakage, the bacterial load of mesenteric lymph nodes (MLNs), and bacterial infiltration of colon tissues. Barrier function was evaluated by assessing the number and proportion of colonic goblet cells and the expression of tight junction proteins, including ZO-1, claudin-1, and occludin. Furthermore, the levels of autophagy were assessed by examining the number of autophagosomes and the expression of the autophagy-related proteins LC3, Beclin1, and P62. Additionally, network pharmacology research was conducted to analyze the potential mechanisms underlying the medicinal effects, as indicated by the role of AMPK/mTOR in regulating the autophagic signaling pathway.

RESULTS

BD improved colitis symptoms in mice by restoring body weight and colon length and reducing inflammatory cell infiltration. Additionally, BD decreased the diffusion of FITC-dextran and bacterial translocation in MLNs, as well as bacterial infiltration of the colonic mucosa. The number and proportion of colonic goblet cells, the expression of ZO-1, Claudin-1, and Occludin, and the levels of autophagy were also increased by BD. Network pharmacology analysis suggested that BD might affect intestinal autophagy through the AMPK signaling pathway, which was confirmed by the activation of AMPK phosphorylation and the downregulation of mTOR expression following BD treatment.

CONCLUSION

Our study demonstrated that BD repaired the intestinal epithelial barrier in DSS-induced colitis mice by activating AMPK phosphorylation and inhibiting mTOR expression to promote autophagy.

Coptisine inhibits the malignancy of bladder carcinoma cells and regulates XPO1 expression

This work is performed to investigate the effect of coptisine (COP) on the malignant biological behaviors of bladder carcinoma cells and its underlying mechanism. Bladder carcinoma cell lines were treated with different concentrations of COP in vitro. Cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8), scratch healing assay, Transwell assay, and flow cytometry were used to detect cell growth, migration, invasion, and cell cycle progression. Bioinformatics analysis was performed to predict the molecular targets of COP. Quantitative real-time PCR and western blot were adopted to determine the expression levels of exportin 1 (XPO1) mRNA and protein, respectively. Gene set enrichment analysis was applied to predict the signaling pathways related to XPO1. This study showed that COP treatment markedly suppressed the malignant biological behaviors of bladder carcinoma cells. XPO1 was identified as a downstream molecular target of COP in bladder carcinoma, and COP treatment inhibited the expression of XPO1 in bladder carcinoma cell lines. Overexpression of XPO1 reversed the impacts of COP on the malignant biological behaviors of bladder carcinoma cells. COP treatment modulated the expression level of cyclin D1 and CYP450 via XPO1. In summary, COP represses the malignant biological behaviors of bladder carcinoma cells and regulates XPO1 expression, which is promising to be a complementary drug for bladder carcinoma treatment.

Regulatory mechanisms of natural compounds from traditional Chinese herbal medicines on the microglial response in ischemic stroke

BACKGROUND

Development of clinically effective neuroprotective agents for stroke therapy is still a challenging task. Microglia play a critical role in brain injury and recovery after ischemic stroke. Traditional Chinese herbal medicines (TCHMs) are based on a unique therapeutic principle, have various formulas, and have long been widely used to treat stroke. Therefore, the active compounds in TCHMs and their underlying mechanisms of action are attracting increasing attention in the field of stroke drug development.

PURPOSE

To summarize the regulatory mechanisms of TCHM-derived natural compounds on the microglial response in animal models of ischemic stroke.

METHODS

We searched studies published until 10 April 2023 in the Web of Science, PubMed, and ScienceDirect using the following keywords: natural compounds, natural products or phytochemicals, traditional Chinese Medicine or Chinese herbal medicine, microglia, and ischemic stroke. This review was prepared according to PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Item for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis) guidelines.

RESULTS

Natural compounds derived from TCHMs can attenuate the M1 phenotype of microglia, which is involved in the detrimental inflammatory response, via inhibition of NF-κB, MAPKs, JAK/STAT, Notch, TLR4, P2X7R, CX3CR1, IL-17RA, the NLRP3 inflammasome, and pro-oxidant enzymes. Additionally, the neuroprotective response of microglia with the M2 phenotype can be enhanced by activating Nrf2/HO-1, PI3K/AKT, AMPK, PPARγ, SIRT1, CB2R, TREM2, nAChR, and IL-33/ST2. Several clinical trials showed that TCHM-derived natural compounds that regulate microglial responses have significant and safe therapeutic effects, but further well-designed clinical studies are needed.

CONCLUSIONS

Further research regarding the direct targets and potential pleiotropic or synergistic effects of natural compounds would provide a more reasonable approach for regulation of the microglial response with the possibility of successful stroke drug development.

Quercetin serves as the major component of Xiang-lian Pill to ameliorate ulcerative colitis via tipping the balance of STAT1/PPARγ and dictating the alternative activation of macrophage

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

The traditional Chinese herbal formula, Xiang-lian Pill (XLP), is commonly prescribed for ulcerative colitis (UC) patients to relieve their clinical symptom. Nonetheless, the underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms of XLP's anti-UC effect remain incompletely understood.

AIM OF THE STUDY

To evaluate the therapeutic effect and elucidate the possible working mechanisms of XLP in UC treatment. The major active component of XLP was also characterized.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Colitis was induced in C57BL/6 mice with 3% dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) dissolved in drinking water for 7 consecutive days. The UC mice were grouped and treated with XLP (3640 mg/kg) or vehicle orally during the procedure of DSS induction. Mouse body weight, disease activity index (DAI) score and colon length were recorded. Histopathological changes and inflammatory cell infiltration were evaluated by pathological staining and flow cytometric analysis (FACS). Network pharmacology, bioinformatic analysis, widely targeted and targeted metabolomics analysis were performed to screen the potential effective ingredients and key targets. Bone marrow derived macrophages (BMDMs), peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), RAW264.7 and THP-1 cells were used to dissect the anti-inflammatory effect of XLP.

RESULTS

Oral administration of XLP ameliorated DSS induced mouse colitis, as evidenced by reduced DAI and colonic inflammatory destruction. FACS results demonstrated that XLP treatment effectively restored immune tolerance in colon, inhibited the generation of monocyte derived macrophages and skewed macrophage polarization into M2 phenotype. Network pharmacology analysis suggested that innate effector modules related to macrophage activation comprise the major targets of XLP, and the counter-regulatory STAT1/PPARγ signaling possibly serves as the critical downstream pathway. Subsequent experiments unveiled an imbalance of STAT1/PPARγ signaling in monocytes derived from UC patients, and validated that XLP suppressed LPS/IFN-γ induced macrophage activation (STAT1 mediated) but facilitated IL-4 induced macrophage M2 polarization (PPARγ dependent). Meanwhile, our data showed that quercetin served as the major component of XLP to recapitulate the regulatory effect on macrophages.

CONCLUSION

Our findings revealed that quercetin serves as the major component of XLP that regulates macrophage alternative activation via tipping the balance of STAT1/PPARγ, which provides a mechanistic explanation for the therapeutic effect of XLP in UC treatment.

Genomic profiling of WRKY transcription factors and functional analysis of CcWRKY7, CcWRKY29, and CcWRKY32 related to protoberberine alkaloids biosynthesis in Coptis chinensis Franch

Coptis chinensis Franch. (Huanglian in Chinese) is an important economic crop with medicinal value. Its rhizome has been used as a traditional herbal medicine for thousands of years in Asia. Protoberberine alkaloids, as the main bioactive component of Coptis chinensis, have a series of pharmacological activities. However, the protoberberine alkaloids content of C. chinensis is relatively low. Understanding the molecular mechanisms affecting the transcriptional regulation of protoberberine alkaloids would be crucial to increase their production via metabolic engineering. WRKY, one of the largest plant-specific gene families, regulates plant defense responses via the biosynthesis of specialized metabolites such as alkaloids. Totally, 41 WRKY transcription factors (TFs) related to protoberberine alkaloid biosynthesis were identified in the C. chinensis genome and classified into three groups based on phylogenetic and conserved motif analyses. Three WRKY genes (CcWRKY7, CcWRKY29, and CcWRKY32) may regulate protoberberine alkaloid biosynthesis, as suggested by gene-specific expression patterns, metabolic pathways, phylogenetic, and dual-luciferase analysis. Furthermore, the CcWRKY7, CcWRKY29, and CcWRKY32 proteins were specifically detected in the nucleus via subcellular localization. This study provides a basis for understanding the regulatory mechanisms of protoberberine alkaloid biosynthesis and valuable information for breeding C. chinensis varieties.

Jatrorrhizine reduces myocardial infarction-induced apoptosis and fibrosis through inhibiting p53 and TGF-β1/Smad2/3 pathways in mice

PURPOSE

To explore the mechanism of jatrorrhizine on apoptosis and fibrosis induced by myocardial infarction (MI) in an animal model.

METHODS

The left anterior descending branch of coronary artery was surgically ligated to duplicate the mouse model of MI. The sham and infarcted mice were treated with normal saline once a day, while mice in experimental groups received low-dose (LD) and high-dose (HD) jatrorrhizine once a day respectively. Two weeks later, cardiac function was detected by echocardiography, and histopathological examination was performed using hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) and Masson staining. The expressions of p53, TGF-β1, Smad/2/3, Bax, Bcl-2, collagen I and collagen III were quantified using qRT-PCR and western blot assays.

RESULTS

Jatrorrhizine significantly improved left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and left ventricle end-systolic (LVES) in mice. Histopathological, administration of jatrorrhizine weakened infiltration of inflammatory cells and cardiac fibrosis in myocardium of mice caused by MI. Additionally, jatrorrhizine suppressed cardiomyocyte apoptosis exhibited as its capability to reverse changes of Bax and Bcl-2 levels in myocardium caused by MI. Jatrorrhizine statistically significantly downregulated expression of collagen I and collagen III, as well as TGF-β1, Smad2/3 and p53.

CONCLUSIONS

Jatrorrhizine reduce cardiomyocyte apoptosis and fibrosis through inhibiting p53/Bax/Bcl-2 and TGF-β1/Smad2/3 signaling pathways.

Shen-Ling-Bai-Zhu-San (SL) and SL Derived-Polysaccharide (PL) Ameliorate the Severity of Diarrhea-Induced by High Lactose via Modification of Colonic Fermentation

In our previous study, we demonstrated that Shen-ling-bai-zhu-san (SL), a classical Chinese herbal formula, could alleviate lactose-induced diarrhea. However, little is known about the mechanism underlying SL action or the efficacy of the polysaccharide (PL) derived from SL. In this study, we investigated the effect of SL and PL on improving the dysregulated luminal and mucosal microbiota in rats with high lactose diet using 16S rRNA analysis. The concentrations of lactose, lactic acid in cecum and short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) in cecum and portal vein were measured, meanwhile the expression of ion transporters were ascertained. Our data suggest that the SL, PL and cecal microbiota transplantation (CMT) significantly decreased fecal water content and water intake. In the luminal microbiota there was a significant increase in Akkermansia, Bifidobacterium and Blautia and a lower abundance of Lactobacillus, Escherichia-Shigella, and Dubosiella, while the mucosal microbiota showed a significant increase in Bifidobacterium, Akkermansia, Albaculum, Bilophila, and Coriobacteriaceae_UCG-002 and a lower abundance of Enterococcus, Helicobacter, Dubosiella, and Collinsella. Furthermore, the treatments enhanced lactose fermentation and SCFA production, which may be related to the modulation of the luminal microbial community. A lower ratio of phosphorylation Na/H exchanger3/Na/H exchanger3 (pNHE3/NHE3) and a higher sodium monocarboxylate1 (sMCT1) expression were found in the treatment group than in the model group, which may be related to the changes in the mucosal microbial community. Also, the treatments may restore the impacted metabolic pathways of gut microbiota. These results provide an important foundation for mechanism of SL action and developing PL-based treatment for lactose-induced diarrhea.

Promising Antioxidative Effect of Berberine in Cardiovascular Diseases

Berberine (BBR), an important quaternary benzylisoquinoline alkaloid, has been used in Chinese traditional medicine for over 3,000 years. BBR has been shown in both traditional and modern medicine to have a wide range of pharmacological actions, including hypoglycemic, hypolipidemic, anti-obesity, hepatoprotective, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant activities. The unregulated reaction chain induced by oxidative stress as a crucial mechanism result in myocardial damage, which is involved in the pathogenesis and progression of many cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Numerous researches have established that BBR protects myocardium and may be beneficial in the treatment of CVDs. Given that the pivotal role of oxidative stress in CVDs, the pharmacological effects of BBR in the treatment and/or management of CVDs have strongly attracted the attention of scholars. Therefore, this review sums up the prevention and treatment mechanisms of BBR in CVDs from in vitro, in vivo, and finally to the clinical field trials timely. We summarized the antioxidant stress of BBR in the management of coronary atherosclerosis and myocardial ischemia/reperfusion; it also analyzes the pathogenesis of oxidative stress in arrhythmia and heart failure and the therapeutic effects of BBR. In short, BBR is a hopeful drug candidate for the treatment of CVDs, which can intervene in the process of CVDs from multiple angles and different aspects. Therefore, if we want to apply it to the clinic on a large scale, more comprehensive, intensive, and detailed researches are needed to be carried out to clarify the molecular mechanism and targets of BBR.

The neuroprotective effects of icariin on ageing, various neurological, neuropsychiatric disorders, and brain injury induced by radiation exposure

Epimedium brevicornum Maxim, a Traditional Chinese Medicine, has been used for the treatment of impotence, sinew and bone disorders, “painful impediment caused by wind-dampness,” numbness, spasms, hypertension, coronary heart disease, menopausal syndrome, bronchitis, and neurasthenia for many years in China. Recent animal experimental studies indicate that icariin, a major bioactive component of epimedium may effectively treat Alzheimer’s disease, cerebral ischemia, depression, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, as well as delay ageing. Our recent study also suggested that epimedium extract could exhibit radio-neuro-protective effects and prevent ionizing radiation-induced impairment of neurogenesis. This paper reviewed the pharmacodynamics of icariin in treating different neurodegenerative and neuropsychiatric diseases, ageing, and radiation-induced brain damage. The relevant molecular mechanisms and its anti-neuroinflammatory, anti-apoptotic, anti-oxidant, as well as pro-neurogenesis roles were also discussed.

Potential of natural products in the treatment of myocardial infarction: focus on molecular mechanisms

Although conventional drugs are widely used in the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease (CVD), they are being used less frequently due to concerns about possible side effects over the long term. There has been a renewed research interest in medicinal plant products, and their role in protecting the cardiovascular system and treating CVD, which are now being considered as potential alternatives to modern drugs. The most important mechanism causing damage to the myocardium after heart attack and reperfusion, is increased levels of free radicals and oxidative stress. Therefore, treatment approaches often focus on reducing free radicals or enhancing antioxidant defense mechanism. It has been previously reported that bioactive natural products can protect the heart muscle in myocardial infarction (MI). Since these compounds are readily available in fruits and vegetables, they could prevent the risk of MI if they are consumed daily. Although the benefits of a healthy diet are well known, many scientific studies have focused on whether pure natural compounds can prevent and treat MI. In this review we summarize the effects of curcumin, resveratrol, quercitin, berberine, and tanshinone on MI and CVD, and focus on their proposed molecular mechanisms of action.

Research progress on the pharmacological effects of berberine targeting mitochondria

Berberine is a natural active ingredient extracted from the rhizome of Rhizoma Coptidis, which interacts with multiple intracellular targets and exhibits a wide range of pharmacological activities. Previous studies have preliminarily confirmed that the regulation of mitochondrial activity is related to various pharmacological actions of berberine, such as regulating blood sugar and lipid and inhibiting tumor progression. However, the mechanism of berberine's regulation of mitochondrial activity remains to be further studied. This paper summarizes the molecular mechanism of the mitochondrial quality control system and briefly reviews the targets of berberine in regulating mitochondrial activity. It is proposed that berberine mainly regulates glycolipid metabolism by regulating mitochondrial respiratory chain function, promotes tumor cell apoptosis by regulating mitochondrial apoptosis pathway, and protects cardiac function by promoting mitophagy to alleviate mitochondrial dysfunction. It reveals the mechanism of berberine's pharmacological effects from the perspective of mitochondria and provides a scientific basis for the application of berberine in the clinical treatment of diseases.

Mechanisms of Rhizoma Coptidis against type 2 diabetes mellitus explored by network pharmacology combined with molecular docking and experimental validation

This study systematically explored the underlying mechanism of Rhizoma Coptidis against type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) by using network pharmacology and molecular docking and experimental validation. We retrieved and screened active compounds of Rhizoma Coptidis and corresponding T2DM-related targets across multiple databases. PPI networks of the genes were constructed using STRING, and the core targets were screened via topological analysis. GO and KEGG enrichment analyses were performed by using DAVID. Finally, molecular docking and experimental studies were performed after bioinformatic analysis for verification. There were 14 active compounds and 19 core targets of Rhizoma Coptidis-T2DM, of which quercetin was identified as the main compound and IL6, VEGFA and TNF were the most significant core targets. GO and KEGG enrichment analyses showed that Rhizoma Coptidis ameliorated T2DM by regulating multiple biological processes and pathways. Docking studies indicated that IL6, VEGFA and TNF could stably bind with all active compounds of Rhizoma Coptidis. The results of our experiments revealed that Rhizoma Coptidis could inhibit the expression of IL6 and TNFα and enhance islet cell viability. This study suggests anti-inflammatory therapeutic effects of Rhizoma Coptidis on T2DM, thereby providing a scientific basis and new insight for further research on the antidiabetic effect of Rhizoma Coptidis.

Coptisine Attenuates Diabetes-Associated Endothelial Dysfunction through Inhibition of Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress and Oxidative Stress

Coptisine is the major bioactive protoberberine alkaloid found in Rhizoma Coptidis. Coptisine reduces inflammatory responses and improves glucose tolerance; nevertheless, whether coptisine has vasoprotective effect in diabetes is not fully characterized. Conduit arteries including aortas and carotid arteries were obtained from male C57BL/6J mice for ex vivo treatment with risk factors (high glucose or tunicamycin) and coptisine. Some arterial rings were obtained from diabetic mice, which were induced by high-fat diet (45% kcal% fat) feeding for 6 weeks combined with a low-dose intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (120 mg/kg). Functional studies showed that coptisine protected endothelium-dependent relaxation in aortas against risk factors and from diabetic mice. Coptisine increased phosphorylations of AMPK and eNOS and downregulated the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress markers as determined by Western blotting. Coptisine elevates NO bioavailability and decreases reactive oxygen species level. The results indicate that coptisine improves vascular function in diabetes through suppression of ER stress and oxidative stress, implying the therapeutic potential of coptisine to treat diabetic vasculopathy.

The Potential Effect of Rhizoma coptidis on Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Based on Network Pharmacology and Molecular Docking

Background

Rhizoma coptidis (RC) showed a significant effect on PCOS, but its mechanism in PCOS remains unclear.

Methods

The components of RC were searched by TCMSP. The Smiles number of the active ingredients was queried through PubChem, and the predicted targets were obtained from the SwissTargetPrediction database. The DrugBank, GeneCards, and DisGeNET databases were retrieved to acquire the related targets of PCOS. Then, the network of compound-target was constructed. The core targets were analyzed using protein-protein interaction (PPI) analysis, and the binding activities were verified by molecular docking. The enriched pathways of key targets were examined by GO and KEGG.

Results

13 components and 250 targets of RC on PCOS were screened. The core network was filtered based on topological parameters, and the key components were palmatine, berberine, berberrubine, quercetin, and epiberberine. The key targets included DRD2, SLC6A4, CDK2, DPP4, ESR1, AKT2, PGR, and AKT1. Molecular docking displayed that the active ingredients of RC had good binding activities with potential targets of PCOS. After enrichment analysis, 30 functional pathways were obtained, including neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction, dopaminergic synapse, and cAMP signaling pathway.

Conclusion

In summary, this study clarified the potential effect of RC on PCOS, which is helpful to provide references for clinical practice. It is also conducive to the secondary development of RC and its monomer components.

Pre-clinical Evidence: Berberine as a Promising Cardioprotective Candidate for Myocardial Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury, a Systematic Review, and Meta-Analysis

Objective: Myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury is one of the causes of most cardiomyocyte injuries and deaths. Berberine (BBR) has been suggested a potential to exert protective effects against myocardial I/R injury. This systematic review aims to determine the intrinsic mechanisms of BBR's protective effects in myocardial I/R injury.

Methods: Seven databases were searched for studies performed from inception to July 2020. Methodological quality was assessed by SYRCLE's-RoB tool.

Results: Ten studies including a total of 270 animals were included in this study. The methodology quality scores of the included studies ranged from 5 to 7 points. The meta-analysis we conducted demonstrated that BBR significantly reduced myocardial infarct size and the incidence of ventricular arrhythmia, compared to control groups (P < 0.00001). Cardiac function of animals in the BBR treatment group was also markedly increased (P < 0.00001). The index of myocardial apoptosis and the levels of biomarkers of myocardial infarction (LDH and CK) were also decreased in the BBR treatment groups compared to the control groups (P < 0.00001).

Conclusions: The pre-clinical evidence, according to our study, showed that BBR is a promising therapeutic agent for myocardial I/R injury. However, this conclusion should be further investigated in clinical studies.

Therapeutic effect of oxyberberine on obese non-alcoholic fatty liver disease rats

BACKGROUND

Berberine (BBR) has been widely used to treat non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The metabolites of BBR were believed to contribute significantly to its pharmacological effects. Oxyberberine (OBB), a gut microbiota-mediated oxidative metabolite of BBR, has been firstly identified in our recent work.

PURPOSE

Here, we aimed to comparatively investigate the anti-NAFLD properties of OBB and BBR.

METHODS

The anti-NAFLD effect was evaluated in high-fat diet-induced obese NAFLD rats with biochemical/ELISA tests and histological staining. The related gene and protein expressions were detected by qRT-PCR and Western blotting respectively. Molecular docking and dynamic simulation were also performed to provide further insight.

RESULTS

Results indicated OBB remarkably and dose-dependently attenuated the clinical manifestations of NAFLD, which (100 mg/kg) achieved similar therapeutic effect to metformin (300 mg/kg) and was superior to BBR of the same dose. OBB significantly inhibited aberrant phosphorylation of IRS-1 and up-regulated the downstream protein expression and phosphorylation (PI3K, p-Akt/Akt and p-GSK-3β/GSK-3β) to improve hepatic insulin signal transduction. Meanwhile, OBB treatment remarkably alleviated inflammation via down-regulating the mRNA expression of MCP-1, Cd68, Nos2, Cd11c, while enhancing Arg1 mRNA expression in white adipose tissue. Moreover, OBB exhibited closer affinity with AMPK in silicon and superior hyperphosphorylation of AMPK in vivo, leading to increased ACC mRNA expression in liver and UCP-1 protein expression in adipose tissue.

CONCLUSION

Taken together, compared with BBR, OBB was more capable of maintaining lipid homeostasis between liver and WAT via attenuating hepatic insulin pathway and adipocyte inflammation, which was associated with its property of superior AMPK activator.

Untargeted metabolomics and lipidomics uncovering the cardioprotective effects of Huanglian Jiedu Decoction on pathological cardiac hypertrophy and remodeling

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

As a classic herbal prescription, Huanglian Jiedu Decoction (HLJDD) exhibits positive effects against cardiac dysfunction. However, its cardioprotective effects and potential mechanism(s) of action still need to be systematically investigated.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This study aimed to reveal the underlying therapeutic mechanism of HLJDD on transverse aortic constriction (TAC)-induced pathological cardiac hypertrophy and remodeling.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

TAC-induced cardiac hypertrophy and remodeling mice model was established to evaluate the therapeutic effects of HLJDD. Serum untargeted metabolomics and lipidomic profiling were performed using ultra-performance liquid chromatography quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometry coupled with multivariate statistical analyses.

RESULTS

Oral administration of HLJDD (2.5 g/kg/day, 5.0 g/kg/day) significantly improved the heart morphology, enhanced the heart function, and alleviated the accumulation of fibrosis in the interstitial space and the infiltration of inflammatory cells in TAC-stimulated mice. Serum untargeted metabolomics analysis showed that significant alterations were observed in metabolic signatures between the TAC-model and sham group. Principal component analysis and orthogonal partial least-squares discriminant analysis screened 59 differential metabolic features and 13 metabolites were identified. The disturbed metabolic pathways in TAC group mainly related to lipid metabolism. Further serum lipidomic profiling showed that most lipids including cholesterol esters, ceramides, glycerides, fatty acids and phospholipids were decreased in TAC group and these alterations were reversed after HLJDD intervention.

CONCLUSION

HLJDD alleviates TAC-induced pathological cardiac hypertrophy and remodeling, and its potential therapeutic mechanism involves the regulation of lipid metabolism.

Gut Microbiota-Mediated Transformation of Coptisine Into a Novel Metabolite 8-Oxocoptisine: Insight Into Its Superior Anti-Colitis Effect

Coptisine (COP) is a bioactive isoquinoline alkaloid derived from Coptis Chinemsis Franch, which is traditionally applied for the management of colitis. However, the blood concentration of COP was extremely low, and its gut microbiota-mediated metabolites were thought to contribute to its prominent bioactivities. To comparatively elucidate the protective effect and underlying mechanism of COP and its novel gut microbiota metabolite (8-oxocoptisine, OCOP) against colitis, we used dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) to induce colitis in mice. Clinical symptoms, microscopic alternation, immune-inflammatory parameters for colitis were estimated. The results indicated that OCOP dramatically ameliorated disease activity index (DAI), the shortening of colon length and colonic histopathological deteriorations. OCOP treatment also suppressed the mRNA expression and release of inflammatory mediators (TGF-β, TNF-α, IL-6, IL-18, IL-1β and IFN-γ) and elevated the transcriptional and translational levels of anti-inflammatory cytokine (IL-10) as well as the mRNA expression levels of adhesion molecules (ICAM-1 and VCAM-1). Besides, the activation of NF-κB pathway and NLRP3 inflammasome was markedly inhibited by OCOP. Furthermore, OCOP displayed superior anti-colitis effect to COP, and was similar to MSZ with much smaller dosage. Taken together, the protective effect of OCOP against DSS-induced colitis might be intimately related to inhibition of NF-κB pathway and NLRP3 inflammasome. And the findings indicated that OCOP might have greater potential than COP to be further exploited as a promising candidate in the treatment of colitis.

The Emerging Roles of Antioxidant Enzymes by Dietary Phytochemicals in Vascular Diseases

Vascular diseases are major causes of death worldwide, causing pathologies including diabetes, atherosclerosis, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Exposure of the vascular system to a variety of stressors and inducers has been implicated in the development of various human diseases, including chronic inflammatory diseases. In the vascular wall, antioxidant enzymes form the first line of defense against oxidative stress. Recently, extensive research into the beneficial effects of phytochemicals has been conducted; phytochemicals are found in commonly used spices, fruits, and herbs, and are used to prevent various pathologic conditions, including vascular diseases. The present review aims to highlight the effects of dietary phytochemicals role on antioxidant enzymes in vascular diseases.

Secondary Metabolites of Plants as Modulators of Endothelium Functions

According to the World Health Organization, cardiovascular diseases are the main cause of death worldwide. They may be caused by various factors or combinations of factors. Frequently, endothelial dysfunction is involved in either development of the disorder or results from it. On the other hand, the endothelium may be disordered for other reasons, e.g., due to infection, such as COVID-19. The understanding of the role and significance of the endothelium in the body has changed significantly over time—from a simple physical barrier to a complex system encompassing local and systemic regulation of numerous processes in the body. Endothelium disorders may arise from impairment of one or more signaling pathways affecting dilator or constrictor activity, including nitric oxide–cyclic guanosine monophosphate activation, prostacyclin–cyclic adenosine monophosphate activation, phosphodiesterase inhibition, and potassium channel activation or intracellular calcium level inhibition. In this review, plants are summarized as sources of biologically active substances affecting the endothelium. This paper compares individual substances and mechanisms that are known to affect the endothelium, and which subsequently may cause the development of cardiovascular disorders.

A Song of Ice and Fire: Cold and Hot Properties of Traditional Chinese Medicines

The theory of cold and hot properties is the basic theory of traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs) and has been successfully applied to combat human diseases for thousands of years. Although the theory of cold and hot is very important to guide the clinical application of TCMs, this ancient theory remains an enigma for a long time. In recent years, more and more researchers have tried to uncover this ancient theory with the help of modern techniques, and the cold and hot properties of a myriad of TCMs have been studied. However, there is no review of cold and hot properties. In this review, we first briefly introduced the basic theories about cold and hot properties, including how to distinguish between the cold and hot properties of TCMs and the classification and treatment of cold and hot syndromes. Then, focusing on the application of cold and hot properties, we take several important TCMs with cold or hot property as examples to summarize their traditional usage, phytochemistry, and pharmacology. In addition, the mechanisms of thermogenesis and antipyretic effect of these important TCMs, which are related to the cold and hot properties, were summarized. At the end of this review, the perspectives on research strategies and research directions of hot and cold properties were also offered.

Research Progress of Herbal Medicines on Drug Metabolizing Enzymes: Consideration Based on Toxicology

The clinical application of herbal medicines is increasing, but there is still a lack of comprehensive safety data and in-depth research into mechanisms of action. The composition of herbal medicines is complex, with each herb containing a variety of chemical components. Each of these components may affect the activity of metabolizing enzymes, which may lead to herb-drug interactions. It has been reported that the combined use of herbs and drugs can produce some unexpected interactions. Therefore, this study reviews the progress of research on safety issues caused by the effects of herbs on metabolizing enzymes with reference to six categories of drugs, including antithrombotic drugs, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, anti-diabetic drugs, statins lipid-lowering drugs, immunosuppressants, and antineoplastic drugs. Understanding the effects of herbs on the activity of metabolizing enzymes could help avoid the toxicity and adverse drug reactions resulting from the co-administration of herbs and drugs, and help doctors to reduce the risk of prescription incompatibility.

Palmatine regulates bile acid cycle metabolism and maintains intestinal flora balance to maintain stable intestinal barrier

OBJECTIVE

Palmatine (PAL) is a natural isoquinoline alkaloid that has been widely used in the pharmaceutical field. The current study aimed to investigate the function of PAL in improving hyperlipidemia induced by high-fat diet (HFD) in rats.

METHODS

Biochemical analysis of triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLC) was performed on rats. Total bile acid (TBA) and stool TC and TBA were also measured to assess the changes in total bile acid excretion. RT-qPCR was employed to detect the expression of genes related to bile acid metabolism, and the Western blot assay was used to detect the levels of CYP7A1, ZO-1, ZO-2, and Claudin-1. The siRNA experiment was employed to further investigate whether PAL regulated CYP7A1 through PPARα. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and FITC-dextran (FD-4) were also tested to assess the intestinal permeability.

RESULTS

AL-treated rats had lower TC, TG, LDL-C levels, lower serum TBA levels, and increased fecal TBA and TC levels. Furthermore, CYP7A1 protein expression was up-regulated in PAL-treated rats. Additionally, PAL regulated bile acid metabolism by up-regulating the expression of CYP7A1 and PPARα and down-regulating the expression of FXR. Besides, the area of plasma FD-4 and LPS content in the PAL group were reduced, and the expression of proteins ZO-1, ZO-2 and Claudin-1 related to intestinal permeability was increased.

CONCLUSION

All in all, PAL could mediate the PPARα-CYP7A1 pathway to maintain the balance of intestinal flora, regulate the bile acid metabolism, and reduce the blood lipids of rats, thereby protecting against hyperlipidemia.

A critical review on the relationship of herbal medicine, Akkermansia muciniphila, and human health

There are trillions and trillions of microorganisms in the human gut, and these microorganisms and their metabolites are closely related to human health. Recent studies have found that the abundance of Akkermansia muciniphila is decreased in many diseases. Supplementation of A. muciniphila is used to treat many diseases, suggesting it as a probiotic. Herbal medicines are considered as valuable asset of traditional Chinese medicine. Recent studies have revealed traditional Chinese medicine as a potential prebiotic agent for the treatment of many diseases. Hence, in this review, we aimed to provide a plausible mechanistic basis for the interactions between herbal medicines and A. muciniphila, and therapeutic benefits on this interaction in various illnesses.

Coptidis alkaloids extracted from Coptis chinensis Franch attenuate IFN-γ-induced destruction of bone marrow cells

Coptidis alkaloids are the primary active components of Coptis chinensis Franch. Clinical and pharmacodynamic studies have confirmed that Coptidis alkaloids have multiple therapeutic effects including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and antitumor effects, and they are usually used to treat various inflammatory disorders and related diseases. Mouse bone marrow cells (BMCs) were isolated from BALB/c mice. Immune-mediated destruction of BMCs was induced by interferon (IFN) -γ. High-performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization/ mass spectrometry was used to analyze the ingredients of the aqueous extract from Coptis chinensis Franch. The results confirmed that Coptidis alkaloids were the predominant ingredients in the aqueous extract from Coptis chinensis. The functional mechanism of Coptidis alkaloids in inhibiting immune-mediated destruction of BMCs was studied in vitro. After Coptidis alkaloid treatment, the percentages of apoptotic BMCs and the proliferation and differentiation of helper T (Th) cells and regulatory T (Treg) cells were measured by flow cytometry. The expression and distribution of T-bet in BMCs were observed by immunofluorescence. Western blotting analysis was used to assay the expression of key molecules in the Fas apoptosis and Jak/Stats signaling pathways in BMCs. We identified five alkaloids in the aqueous extract of Coptis chinensis. The apoptotic ratios of BMCs induced by IFN-γ were decreased significantly after Coptidis alkaloid treatment. The levels of key molecules (Fas, Caspase-3, cleaved Caspase-3, Caspase-8 and Caspase-8) in Fas apoptosis signaling pathways also decreased significantly after treatment with low concentrations of Coptidis alkaloids. Coptidis alkaloids were also found to inhibit the proliferation of Th1 and Th17 cells and induce the differentiation of Th2 and Treg cells; further, the distribution of T-bet in BMCs was decreased significantly. In addition, the levels of Stat-1, phospho-Stat-1 and phospho-Stat-3 were also reduced after Coptidis alkaloid treatment. These results indicate that Coptidis alkaloids extracted by water decoction from Coptis chinensis Franch could inhibit the proliferation and differentiation of T lymphocytes, attenuate the apoptosis of BMCs, and suppress the immune-mediated destruction of the BMCs induced by pro-inflammatory cytokines.

Genetic Diversity and Phylogeography of the Important Medical Herb, Cultivated Huang-Lian Populations, and the Wild Relatives Coptis Species in China

Huang-lian (Coptis plants in China) are essential medicinal plants in China, C. chinensis var. chinensis and C. deltoidea have been domesticated and cultivated for 700 years. In this study, the genetic diversity patterns and biogeographical information of cultivated Huang-lian and their wild relatives Coptis species were assessed using three plastids DNA regions. A total of 186 individuals from twenty-seven populations representing two species of cultivated Huang-lian and four species of wild relatives were collected and analyzed. Twenty-four haplotypes of six species were identified when three plastid spacers were combined. Historical biogeography inference revealed multiple dispersal events in the groups of cultivated Huang-lian and C. omeiensis. This evidence can infer that large initial population size and interbreeding with co-existing wild relatives in expanding new planting areas might be the main reason for maintaining the high genetic diversity of cultivated Huang-lian. Nevertheless, the multimodal curve of mismatch analysis and positive or negative differed among species and populations by neutrality tests indicated some groups of cultivated Huang-lian experienced genetic bottlenecks. Phylogeny analysis (NJ, MP, BI) showed that cultivated Huang-lian and C. omeiensis were clustered into a monophyletic group while C. chinensis var. brevisepala was paraphyletic, having earlier divergence time from C. chinensis var. chinensis (7.6 Ma) than C. omeiensis. Parsimony network demonstrated that C. deltoidea had more shared haplotypes with C. omeiensis than C. chinensis var. chinensis, and other haplotypes of C. deltoidea and C. omeiensis had less mutation steps than that of C. chinensis var. chinensis and C. omeiensis. This evidence suggests that C. omeiensis has a closer relationship with cultivated Huang-lian and might be a potential wild relative to C. deltoidea. The results reported here provide the baseline data for preserving genetic resources of Huang-lian and also evaluating the genetic impacts of long-term cultivation on medicinal plants, which could be instructive to future cultivation projects of traditional Chinese medicinal plants.

Wu-Mei-Wan prevents high-fat diet-induced obesity by reducing white adipose tissue and enhancing brown adipose tissue function

BACKGROUND

Wu-Mei-Wan, a classic traditional Chinese herb medicine, is one of the most important formulations to treat digestive diseases from ancient times to the present. Our previous study showed that WMW treatment can prevent T2DM in db/db mice, which motivating the application of WMW on metabolic disorders.

PURPOSE

Obesity and its comorbid diseases have increased dramatically and are now a worldwide health problem. There is still a lack of satisfactory treatment strategies for obesity. This work was designed to assess the effect and related mechanism of WMW on high fat diet (HFD)-induced obese mice model.

METHODS

Obese mice were induced by HFD. Thetherapeutic effect of WMW were analyzed by examining body and adipose tissue weight, metabolic profile and energy expenditure. Adipose tissue phenotype was determined by histological staining and the mitochondrial content was examined by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Immunohistochemical and immunofluorescence staining, RT-qPCR and Western blot analysis were used to evaluate expression of key molecules in adipose tissue.

RESULTS

WMW treatment significantly protects HFD-induced obesity. Here we showed that WMW limits weight gain, improves metabolic profile and increases energy expenditure. WMW inhibits the hypertrophy and hyperplasia of white adipocytes, the mechanism involving the inhibition of TLR3/IL-6/JAK1/STAT3 pathway. In brown adipose tissue (BAT), WMW promotes thermogenicprogramme without affecting cell proliferation. The activated BMP7/ Smad1/5/9 pathway is considered to be one of the explanations for the effect of WMW on BAT.

CONCLUSION

Our results suggested that WMW can prevent obesity and its underlying mechanisms are associated with reducing white adipose tissue and enhancing brown adipose tissue function.

Metabolic profile of alkaloids in Rhizoma Coptidis in rat plasma, urine and feces after oral administration using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry

RATIONALE

Rhizoma Coptidis (RC) has been used to treat diabetes, pertussis, bacillary dysentery, sore throat, eczema, and aphtha for thousands of years. Alkaloids are the major components in RC, and its curative effect is achieved by oral administration. However, information on its composition in vivo is weak.

METHODS

In this study, ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC/QTOF-MS) was used to analyze the major active components and their metabolites in rat plasma, urine and feces after oral administration of RC extract.

RESULTS

A total of 96 compounds including 8 prototype compounds and 88 metabolites were identified, and hydroxylation, reduction, demethylenation, demethylation, dehydrogenation, sulfation, glucuronidation and methylation were the major metabolic pathways.

CONCLUSIONS

This study analyzed metabolic processes of the major active components in RC in vivo, which provided important information for its active composition and in vivo mechanism research. Meanwhile, metabolic profile studies on representative compounds provided valuable reference materials to elucidate the full-scale metabolites of RC.

Bioinformatics analysis of endophytic bacteria related to berberine in the Chinese medicinal plant Coptis teeta Wall

Endophytic microorganisms absorb nutrients and prevent pathogen damage, supporting healthy plant growth. However, the relationship between endophytic bacteria and berberine synthesis in the medicinal plant Coptis teeta Wall. remains unclear. Herein, we explored the community composition of endophytic bacteria related to berberine in roots, stems, and leaves of wild-type and cultivated C. teeta. Endophytic bacterial communities were analyzed by 16S rRNA sequencing, and berberine content in roots was analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography. Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, and Bacteroidetes were the major phyla, and Mycobacterium, Salmonella, Nocardioides, Burkholderia-Paraburkholderia, and Rhizobium were the dominant genera in root, stem, and leaf tissues. Root berberine content was positively correlated with total N, total P, total K, and available K in rhizosphere soil. In addition, root berberine content was positively correlated with Microbacterium and norank_f_7B-8, whereas soil total K was positively correlated with Microbacterium and Burkholderia-Paraburkholderia in roots. Our results demonstrated a clear correlation between dominant endophytic bacteria and berberine synthesis in C. teeta. The findings are useful for the promotion of berberine production in C. teeta via manipulation of endophytic bacteria.

Effects of Pelargonium sidoides and Coptis Rhizoma 2 : 1 Mixed Formula (PS + CR) on Ovalbumin-Induced Asthma in Mice

Pelargonium sidoides (PS) is traditionally used to treat respiratory and gastrointestinal infections, dysmenorrhea, and hepatic disorders in South Africa. Coptis Rhizoma (CR) is used to treat gastroenteric disorders, cardiovascular diseases, and cancer in East Asia. In the present study, we intended to observe the possible beneficial antiasthma effects of PS and CR on the ovalbumin- (OVA-) induced asthma C57BL/6J mice. Asthma in mice was induced by OVA sensitization and subsequent boosting. PS + CR (300 and 1,000 mg/kg; PO) or dexamethasone (IP) was administered once a day for 16 days. The changes in the body weight and gains, lung weights and gross inspections, total and differential cell counts of leukocytes in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), serum OVA-specific immunoglobulin E (OVA-sIgE) levels, interleukin-4 (IL-4) and IL-5 levels in BALF and lung tissue homogenate, and IL-4 and IL-5 mRNA levels in lung tissue homogenates were analyzed with lung histopathology: mean alveolar surface area (ASA), alveolar septal thickness, numbers of inflammatory cells, mast cells, and eosinophils infiltrated in the alveolar regions, respectively. Significant increases in lung weights, total and differential cell counts of leukocytes in BALF, serum OVA-sIgE levels, and IL-4 and IL-5 levels in BALF and lung tissue homogenate were observed in OVA control as compared to those of intact control. In addition, OVA control showed a significant decrease in mean ASA and increases in alveolar septal thickness, numbers of inflammatory cells, mast cells, and eosinophils infiltrated in alveolar regions. However, these allergic and inflammatory asthmatic changes were significantly inhibited by PS + CR in a dose-dependent manner. In this study, PS + CR showed dose-dependent beneficial effects on OVA-induced asthma in mice through anti-inflammatory and antiallergic activities. Therefore, it is expected that PS + CR have enough potential as a new therapeutic agent or as an ingredient of a medicinal agent for various allergic and inflammatory respiratory diseases including asthma.

Immunological axis of berberine in managing inflammation underlying chronic respiratory inflammatory diseases

Inflammatory responses play a remarkable role in the mechanisms of acute and chronic respiratory diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, pulmonary fibrosis and lung cancer. Currently, there is a resurgence in the use of drugs from natural sources for various ailments as potent therapeutics. Berberine, an alkaloid prominent in the Chinese traditional system of medicine has been reported to exert therapeutic properties in various diseases. Nevertheless, the number of studies focusing on the curative potential of berberine in inflammatory diseases involving the respiratory system is limited. In this review, we have attempted to discuss the reported anti-inflammatory properties of berberine that function through several pathways such as, the NF-κB, ERK1/2 and p38 MAPK pathways which affect several pro-inflammatory cytokines in the pathophysiological processes involved in chronic respiratory diseases. This review would serve to provide valuable information to researchers who work in this field and a new direction in the field of drug discovery with respect to respiratory diseases.