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Dong J, Wang Y, Qian Q, Wu J, Yang D, Liu D. The alleviation effect and its mechanism of Niuhuang Jiedu prescription on realgar-induced genotoxicity in mice. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2024; 333:118426. [PMID: 38844250 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2024.118426] [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: 05/02/2024] [Revised: 05/30/2024] [Accepted: 06/03/2024] [Indexed: 06/11/2024]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Realgar (As2S2 or As4S4) is a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) containing arsenic. Existing studies have shown that it has genotoxicity under long-term use with large doses. Niuhuang Jiedu (NHJD) is a Chinese medicine prescription containing realgar and seven other TCMs. Whether the multiple TCMs combination in NHJD can reduce the genotoxicity induced by realgar in equivalent doses is still unknown. AIM OF THE STUDY To research the effect of NHJD on realgar's genotoxicity and the possible mechanism involved based on the arsenic methylation metabolic pathway. MATERIAL AND METHODS Six groups (control, realgar (0.8 g/kg), NHJD (12.48 g/kg), as well as Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch (GU), Scutellaria baicalensis Georg (SB), Rheum palmatum L (RP) plus equivalent doses of realgar, respectively) were set up. ICR mice were intragastric administered for 12 weeks. First, genotoxicology tests were conducted to evaluate the effect of NHJD, GU, SB, and RP on reducing realgar's genotoxicity. The inorganic arsenic (iAs), dimethyl arsenic acid (DMA), and monomethyl arsenic acid (MMA) were determined by HPLC-AFS, and the iAs%, MMA%, DMA%, primary methylation index (PMI), etc. Were calculated. Meanwhile, the S-adenosyl methionine (SAM) and arsenate reductase (ARR) levels, the arsenic (+3)methyltransferase (As3MT), purine-nucleoside phosphorylase (PNP), glutathione S-transfer omega1 (GSTO1) gene expression were detected, aimed to explore the possible alleviation mechanisms of NHJD. RESULTS The combination of multiple TCMs in NHJD decreased the levels of MN‰, SPA%, and DNA damage caused by realgar, with similar effects observed when SB, RP, and GU were used separately with realgar. Notably, the iAs% significantly decreased, while DMA% and PMI notably increased in the NHJD and realgar + SB (or RP) groups compared to the realgar-only group (P < 0.05). Increases in SAM and ARR levels were observed across various groups, but only the ARR increase in the NHJD group was statistically significant. Moreover, significant increases in As3MT mRNA and GSTO1 mRNA were noted in the NHJD group, and PNP mRNA levels significantly rose in the realgar + SB group. CONCLUSIONS This study revealed that NHJD could attenuate the genotoxic effects of realgar. The botanicals SB, RP, and GU within NHJD may be key contributors to this effect. Enhancements in arsenic methylation capabilities through increased levels of SAM and ARR and elevated gene expressions of As3MT, PNP, and GSTO1 suggest potential mechanisms behind these findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ju Dong
- Department of Public Health, School of Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China.
| | - Ying Wang
- Department of Public Health, School of Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Qin Qian
- Department of Public Health, School of Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Juan Wu
- Department of Public Health, School of Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Dongqing Yang
- Department of Public Health, School of Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Deye Liu
- Center for Disease Control and Prevention of Jiangsu Provincial, Nanjing, 210021, China
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Xiao Y, Liu R, Zhang X, Li Y, Peng F, Tang W. Analysis of cantharidin-induced kidney injury and the protective mechanism of resveratrol in mice determined by liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry-based metabonomics. J Appl Toxicol 2024; 44:990-1004. [PMID: 38448202 DOI: 10.1002/jat.4596] [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: 01/07/2024] [Revised: 02/08/2024] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 03/08/2024]
Abstract
Cantharidin (CTD) is the main active component in the traditional Chinese medicine Mylabris and an effective anti-tumor agent. However, it is relatively toxic and exhibits nephrotoxicity, which limits its clinical use. However, its toxic mechanism is not clear. The toxic effects of CTD exposure on the kidney and the protective effect of resveratrol (RES) were studied in a mouse model, by determination of serum biochemical and renal antioxidant indicators, histopathological and ultrastructural observation, and metabonomics. After CTD exposure, serum uric acid, creatinine, and tissue oxidative stress indicators increased, and the renal glomerular and tubular epithelial cells showed clear pathological damage. Ultrastructure observation revealed marked mitochondrial swelling, endoplasmic reticulum dilation, and the presence of autophagy lysosomes in glomerular epithelial cells. RES ameliorated the renal injury induced by CTD. Metabonomics analysis indicated that CTD can induce apoptosis and oxidative damage in kidney cells, mainly by disrupting sphingolipid and glutathione metabolism, increasing sphingosine and sphingomyelin levels, and decreasing glutathione levels. RES counteracts these effects by regulating renal cell proliferation, the inflammatory response, oxidative stress, and apoptosis, by improving the levels of phosphatidylcholine (PC), LysoPC, and lysophosphatidyl glycerol in the glycerophospholipid metabolism pathway, thereby reducing CTD-induced nephrotoxicity. The mechanisms of CTD-induced renal injury and the protective effect of RES were revealed by metabonomics, providing a basis for evaluating clinical treatment regimens to reduce CTD-induced nephrotoxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanyuan Xiao
- Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guiyang, China
| | - Ruxia Liu
- Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guiyang, China
| | - Xiaoyue Zhang
- Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guiyang, China
| | - Yaofeng Li
- Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guiyang, China
| | - Fang Peng
- Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guiyang, China
| | - Wenchao Tang
- Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guiyang, China
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He T, Xiong L, Lin K, Yi J, Duan C, Zhang J. Functional metabolomics reveals arsenic-induced inhibition of linoleic acid metabolism in mice kidney in drinking water. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2024; 349:123949. [PMID: 38636836 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2024.123949] [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: 12/12/2023] [Revised: 01/27/2024] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/20/2024]
Abstract
Arsenic (As) is a heavy metal known for its detrimental effects on the kidneys, but the precise mechanisms underlying its toxicity remain unclear. In this study, we employed an integrated approach combining traditional toxicology methods with functional metabolomics to explore the nephrotoxicity induced by As in mice. Our findings demonstrated that after 28 days of exposure to sodium arsenite, blood urea nitrogen, serum creatinine levels were significantly increased, and pathological examination of the kidneys revealed dilation of renal tubules and glomerular injury. Additionally, uric acid, total cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were significant increased while triglyceride level was decreased, resulting in renal insufficiency and lipid disorders. Subsequently, the kidney metabolomics analysis revealed that As exposure disrupted 24 differential metabolites, including 14 up-regulated and 10 down-regulated differential metabolites. Ten metabolic pathways including linoleic acid and glycerophospholipid metabolism were significantly enriched. Then, 80 metabolic targets and 168 predicted targets were identified using metabolite network pharmacology analysis. Of particular importance, potential toxicity targets, such as glycine amidinotransferase, mitochondrial (GATM), and nitric oxide synthase, and endothelial (NOS3), were prioritized through the "metabolite-target-pathway" network. Receiver operating characteristics curve and molecular docking analyses suggested that 1-palmitoyl-2-myristoyl-sn-glycero-3-PC, linoleic acid, and L-hydroxyarginine might be functional metabolites associated with GATM and NOS3. Moreover, targeted verification result showed that the level of linoleic acid in As group was 0.4951 μg/mL, which was significantly decreased compared with the control group. And in vivo and in vitro protein expression experiments confirmed that As exposure inhibited the expression of GATM and NOS3. In conclusion, these results suggest that As-induced renal injury may be associated with the inhibition of linoleic acid metabolism through the down-regulation of GATM and NOS3, resulting in decreased levels of linoleic acid, 1-palmitoyl-2-myristoyl-sn-glycero-3-PC, and L-hydroxyarginine metabolites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianmu He
- School of Basic Medicine, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, 563000, China; School of Basic Medicine, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, 550025, China.
| | - Lijuan Xiong
- School of Pharmacy and Key Laboratory of Basic Pharmacology Ministry Education and Joint International Research Laboratory of Ethnomedicine Ministry of Education, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, 563000, China
| | - Kexin Lin
- School of Basic Medicine, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, 563000, China
| | - Jing Yi
- School of Basic Medicine, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, 563000, China
| | - Cancan Duan
- School of Pharmacy and Key Laboratory of Basic Pharmacology Ministry Education and Joint International Research Laboratory of Ethnomedicine Ministry of Education, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, 563000, China.
| | - Jianyong Zhang
- School of Pharmacy and Key Laboratory of Basic Pharmacology Ministry Education and Joint International Research Laboratory of Ethnomedicine Ministry of Education, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, 563000, China.
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Liu J, Krishnan UM, Wei L. Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Therapeutics of Minerals in Traditional Medicine 2021. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE : ECAM 2023; 2023:9823746. [PMID: 37771952 PMCID: PMC10533240 DOI: 10.1155/2023/9823746] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2022] [Accepted: 06/30/2022] [Indexed: 09/30/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Jie Liu
- Key Lab for Basic Pharmacology of Ministry of Education and Joint International Research Laboratory of Ethnomedicine, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China
| | - Uma Maheswari Krishnan
- Centre for Nanotechnology & Advanced Biomaterials, School of Chemical & Biotechnology, SASTRA Deemed University, Thanjavur 613 401, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Lixin Wei
- Qinghai Key Lab of Tibetan Medicine Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation, Northwest Institute of Plateau Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xining 810008, China
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Li W, Shao C, Li C, Zhou H, Yu L, Yang J, Wan H, He Y. Metabolomics: A useful tool for ischemic stroke research. J Pharm Anal 2023; 13:968-983. [PMID: 37842657 PMCID: PMC10568109 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpha.2023.05.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2023] [Revised: 05/14/2023] [Accepted: 05/29/2023] [Indexed: 10/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Ischemic stroke (IS) is a multifactorial and heterogeneous disease. Despite years of studies, effective strategies for the diagnosis, management and treatment of stroke are still lacking in clinical practice. Metabolomics is a growing field in systems biology. It is starting to show promise in the identification of biomarkers and in the use of pharmacometabolomics to help patients with certain disorders choose their course of treatment. The development of metabolomics has enabled further and more biological applications. Particularly, metabolomics is increasingly being used to diagnose diseases, discover new drug targets, elucidate mechanisms, and monitor therapeutic outcomes and its potential effect on precision medicine. In this review, we reviewed some recent advances in the study of metabolomics as well as how metabolomics might be used to identify novel biomarkers and understand the mechanisms of IS. Then, the use of metabolomics approaches to investigate the molecular processes and active ingredients of Chinese herbal formulations with anti-IS capabilities is summarized. We finally summarized recent developments in single cell metabolomics for exploring the metabolic profiles of single cells. Although the field is relatively young, the development of single cell metabolomics promises to provide a powerful tool for unraveling the pathogenesis of IS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wentao Li
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, 310053, China
| | - Chongyu Shao
- School of Basic Medicine Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, 310053, China
| | - Chang Li
- School of Basic Medicine Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, 310053, China
| | - Huifen Zhou
- School of Basic Medicine Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, 310053, China
| | - Li Yu
- School of Basic Medicine Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, 310053, China
| | - Jiehong Yang
- School of Basic Medicine Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, 310053, China
| | - Haitong Wan
- School of Basic Medicine Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, 310053, China
| | - Yu He
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, 310053, China
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Wu J, Yang D, Song Z, Qian Q, Dai J, Dong J. Target RNA expression omics approach to reveal the liver detoxification effect induced by Chinese medicine prescription Niu Huang Jie Du against realgar overexposure to mice. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2022; 298:115610. [PMID: 35973632 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2022.115610] [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: 06/15/2022] [Revised: 07/20/2022] [Accepted: 08/03/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Niu Huang Jie Du prescription (NHJD) is a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) widely used in patients suffering from excessive inner fire toxin (Huo Du Nei Sheng) syndrome, such as sore throat, gingival swelling, and pain, mouth and tongue sores, etc. This formula contains realgar (As4S4) which is one of the 28 toxic medicinal materials promulgated by the Chinese Ministry of Health. Many studies reported its toxicity on the liver and kidney, and the detoxification effect of NHJD. However, its detoxification mechanism is still unclear. AIM OF THE STUDY To clarify the detoxification mechanism of NHJD to realgar, this study evaluated the detoxification effect of NHJD on realgar exposure in mice, and analyzed differences in mRNA expression profiles in liver tissues and associated functional predictions. MATERIAL AND METHODS ICR mice were administered with NHJD, realgar, and CMC-Na as blank control for 12 weeks, respectively. Liver injury was evaluated by histopathologic examination and liver mRNA gene were sequenced by Illumina. Differentially expressed gene, functionally enrichment and protein association network analysis were conducted. RESULTS 43 genes were screened out, among which 15 genes in the realgar group were decreased, but the extent of the decline has been restored in the NHJD group. The remaining 28 genes have exactly the opposite trends. Functional module analysis revealed that those detoxification function-related genes were primarily for positive regulation of glutathione metabolism, P450 on the metabolism of exogenous compounds, oxidative stress and immune-related, etc. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicated that realgar mainly causes liver damage by changing the common enzymes of drug metabolism, especially the expression of genes related to CYPs, GSTs family, oxidative stress, and complement immunity, while the TCM prescription NHJD has a regulatory effect on the abnormal expression of corresponding genes. Our results will provide some clues for the detoxification mechanism of arsenic-containing TCM prescriptions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Wu
- Department of Public Health, School of Medicine & Holistic Integrative Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Dongqing Yang
- Department of Public Health, School of Medicine & Holistic Integrative Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Ziwei Song
- The Third School of Clinical Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | | | - Jianguo Dai
- Department of Pathology and Pathophysiology, School of Medicine & Holistic Integrative Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Ju Dong
- Department of Public Health, School of Medicine & Holistic Integrative Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China.
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Rao J, Peng T, Li N, Wang Y, Yan C, Wang K, Qiu F. Nephrotoxicity induced by natural compounds from herbal medicines - a challenge for clinical application. Crit Rev Toxicol 2022; 52:757-778. [PMID: 36815678 DOI: 10.1080/10408444.2023.2168178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/24/2023]
Abstract
Herbal medicines (HMs) have long been considered safe and effective without serious toxic and side effects. With the continuous use of HMs, more and more attention has been paid to adverse reactions and toxic events, especially the nephrotoxicity caused by natural compounds in HMs. The composition of HMs is complex and various, especially the mechanism of toxic components has been a difficult and hot topic. This review comprehensively summarizes the kidney toxicity characterization and mechanism of nephrotoxic natural compounds (organic acids, alkaloids, glycosides, terpenoids, phenylpropanoids, flavonoids, anthraquinones, cytotoxic proteins, and minerals) from different sources. Recommendations for the prevention and treatment of HMs-induced kidney injury were provided. In vitro and in vivo models for evaluating nephrotoxicity and the latest biomarkers are also included in this investigation. More broadly, this review may provide theoretical basis for safety evaluation and further comprehensive development and utilization of HMs in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinqiu Rao
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, P. R. China.,State Key Laboratory of Component-Based Chinese Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, P. R. China
| | - Ting Peng
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, P. R. China.,State Key Laboratory of Component-Based Chinese Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, P. R. China
| | - Na Li
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, P. R. China.,State Key Laboratory of Component-Based Chinese Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, P. R. China
| | - Yuan Wang
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, P. R. China.,State Key Laboratory of Component-Based Chinese Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, P. R. China
| | - Caiqin Yan
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, P. R. China
| | - Kai Wang
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, P. R. China
| | - Feng Qiu
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, P. R. China.,State Key Laboratory of Component-Based Chinese Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, P. R. China
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Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Rational Application of Cinnabar, Realgar, and Their Formulations. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE 2022; 2022:6369150. [PMID: 36204126 PMCID: PMC9532072 DOI: 10.1155/2022/6369150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2022] [Accepted: 08/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Ethnopharmacological Relevance. Mineral medicines are widely used traditional Chinese medicines with curative effects. These medicines are used for many refractory diseases. Aim of the Review. In this review, cinnabar (HgS) and realgar (As₂S₂) serve as examples of mineral medicines, and their pharmacology, therapeutic toxicity, use in traditional medicine mixtures, and research perspectives are discussed. Materials and Methods. A search was performed for the literature on cinnabar and realgar in PubMed, the Chinese Pharmacopeia, Google, and other sources. The search included studies using single herbs, traditional formulations, or novel dosage forms. Results. Cinnabar and cinnabar formulas exhibit good efficacy for sedation, sleep improvement, anxiety alleviation, and brain protection. However, previous studies on neurotransmitters have reached different conclusions, and detailed pharmacological mechanisms are lacking. Realgar and its formulas exert promising antitumor activity through regulation of cell cycle arrest, intrinsic and extrinsic apoptosis, induction of differentiation, autophagy, metabolic reprogramming, matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) signaling, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. In addition, realgar can be used to treat a variety of refractory diseases by regulating immunity and exerting antibacterial, antiviral, and other effects. However, the existing pharmacological research on the use of realgar for epidemic prevention is insufficient, and animal experiments and research at the cellular level are lacking. Inappropriate applications of cinnabar and realgar can cause toxicity, including neurotoxicity, liver toxicity, kidney toxicity, and genotoxicity. The toxicological mechanism is complex, and molecular-level research is limited. For clinical applications, theory and clinical experience must be combined to guide scientific and rational drug use and to achieve reduced toxicity and increased efficacy through the use of modern preparation methods or combined drugs. Notably, when cinnabar and realgar are used to treat targeted diseases, these agents have a bidirectional effect of “treatment” and “toxicity” on the central nervous system in pathological and normal states. The pharmacological and toxicological mechanisms need to be elucidated in greater detail in the future. Overall, systematic research is needed to provide a basis for better promotion of the rational use of cinnabar and realgar in the clinic. Conclusion. Mineral medicines are multicomponent, multiactivity, and multitargeted substances. The pharmacology and mechanisms of the toxicity and action of realgar and cinnabar are extremely complex. A number of Chinese medicinal preparations of realgar and cinnabar have demonstrated unique efficacy in the treatment of refractory diseases.
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Wu X, Zhong Z, Lin K, Liu X, Wu Z, Liu Z, Li Y. Comparative pharmacokinetics and urinary excretion of arsenic and mercury after oral administration of realgar, cinnabar and AnGongNiuHuang Pill to rats. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:967608. [PMID: 36110533 PMCID: PMC9470115 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.967608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2022] [Accepted: 07/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Realgar- and cinnabar-containing AnGongNiuHuang Pill (AGNHP) is widely used for treating encephalopathy syndrome. However, it raises great safety concerns due to the adverse effects reported by arsenic or mercury poisoning. Although AGNHP has been generally recognized, little is known about the metabolism of arsenic and mercury and their resulting potential health risk in vivo. Thus, comparative pharmacokinetics and urinary excretion of arsenic and mercury were conducted in rats after oral administration of realgar, cinnabar and AGNHP, respectively. The contents of arsenic and mercury in rat blood and urine were determined by hydride-generation atomic fluorescence spectrometry (HG-AFS) after wet digestion. AGNHP significantly reduced the absorption of arsenic in blood and promoted urinary arsenic excretion. Whereas, it increased the blood mercury absorption and reduced urinary mercury excretion. No significant toxicity was observed in the clinical dose range of AGNHP. However, excessive exposure to arsenic and mercury may still pose risks especially by long-term or excessive medication. The results are helpful for the rational clinical applications of realgar- and cinnabar-containing TCMs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao Wu
- *Correspondence: Xiao Wu, ; Yongming Li,
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10
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Zhang S, Cao S, Zhou H, Li L, Hu Q, Mao X, Ji S. Realgar induced nephrotoxicity via ferroptosis in mice. J Appl Toxicol 2022; 42:1843-1853. [PMID: 35803278 DOI: 10.1002/jat.4362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2022] [Revised: 07/03/2022] [Accepted: 07/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Ferroptosis is a novel form of iron-dependent cell death that is involved in arsenic-induced toxicity. Realgar is an arsenic-containing Chinese medicine, which can result in nephrotoxicity because of long-term exposure. However, it remains scientifically unknown whether Realgar is an inducer of ferroptosis in the kidney. This study investigated the role of ferroptosis in Realgar-induced kidney toxicity in mice. ICR mice were exposed to Realgar for 28 days and HK2 cells were exposed to Realgar in the presence or absence of treatment with ferrostatin-1, a ferroptosis inhibitor. The ferroptosis-related indicators were further evaluated. Realgar can cause nephrotoxicity in mice by continuous gavage for 28 days, accompanied by an increase in iron accumulation and reactive oxygen species. The reduced expression of Slc7A11 and Gpx4 further confirmed the ferroptosis mediated by Realgar. Meanwhile, Realgar disrupted the antioxidant system as evidenced by the formation of ROS leading to the inactivation of antioxidant enzymes. Realgar caused ferroptosis in a dose-dependent manner, which was significantly reduced by ferrostatin-1 in HK2 cells. This study revealed that Realgar-induced ferroptosis triggered nephrotoxicity in mice and provided new clues to elucidate the mechanism of Realgar-induced nephrotoxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheng Zhang
- Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China.,NMPA Key Laboratory for Quality Control of Traditional Chinese Medicine of State Drug Administration, Shanghai Institute for Food and Drug Control, Shanghai, China
| | - Shuai Cao
- NMPA Key Laboratory for Quality Control of Traditional Chinese Medicine of State Drug Administration, Shanghai Institute for Food and Drug Control, Shanghai, China
| | - Heng Zhou
- NMPA Key Laboratory for Quality Control of Traditional Chinese Medicine of State Drug Administration, Shanghai Institute for Food and Drug Control, Shanghai, China
| | - Limin Li
- NMPA Key Laboratory for Quality Control of Traditional Chinese Medicine of State Drug Administration, Shanghai Institute for Food and Drug Control, Shanghai, China
| | - Qing Hu
- NMPA Key Laboratory for Quality Control of Traditional Chinese Medicine of State Drug Administration, Shanghai Institute for Food and Drug Control, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiuhong Mao
- NMPA Key Laboratory for Quality Control of Traditional Chinese Medicine of State Drug Administration, Shanghai Institute for Food and Drug Control, Shanghai, China
| | - Shen Ji
- Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China.,NMPA Key Laboratory for Quality Control of Traditional Chinese Medicine of State Drug Administration, Shanghai Institute for Food and Drug Control, Shanghai, China
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11
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Kong J, He T, Liu C, Huang J. Multi modular toxicity assessment of nephrotoxicity in podophyllotoxin exposure rats on account of toxicological evidence chain (TEC) concept. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2022; 231:113157. [PMID: 35026582 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2021.113157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2021] [Revised: 11/07/2021] [Accepted: 12/30/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Early diagnosis of kidney injuries caused by herbs is necessary to enable effective treatments, prevent kidney failure and promote the internationalization and modernization of herbal medicine. Whereas the toxic assessment evidence has not integrated yet, and the evaluation method has not been unanimously agreed. For example, the gold standard assessing toxicity in animals remains to be histopathology, but serum biochemical indexes are the primary measures for monitoring organs dysfunction in humans. In this study, using Sprague Dawley rats, we investigated whether integrated analyses of transcriptomic and metabolomic data with toxicological evidence chain (TEC) concept could identify indicators of injury and provide new insights into the mechanisms of nephrotoxicity. Firstly, the objective phenotype of the animals was observed in detail and the toxicity performance was collected after administration. Subsequently, histopathological examination and serum biochemical toxicity evidence were collected. Next, we obtained concurrent measurements of transcriptomic changes in kidneys, and changes along with metabolic profiles in serum, after exposure to PT(Podophyllotoxin) to acquire evidence at the molecular level. Last but not least, the GTEA (Grades of Toxicological Evidence Assessment) based on GRADE(Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation) system was used to evaluate toxic evidence which can be assigned to a toxic level. The orally gavaged rats with PT have been confirmed with dose-dependent kidney damage from 5 to 15 mg/kg after 4 d. Our findings suggest that the main pathological changes occurred in Glycerophosphatidylcholine metabolism, Arachidonic acid metabolism, Energy metabolism, Tyrosine metabolism, Tryptophan metabolism and so on.Moreover, the alteration of the potential metabolites lipid (i.e. LPC, palmitic acid) and sulfate could serve as plausible markers of PT-induced kidney injury. Our approach provides a mechanistic framework for the refinement of the grading standard of toxicity evidence, which is applicable to other toxicants originated from herbal medicine based on multi-omics data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiao Kong
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Fangshan District, Beijing 102488, China
| | - Tao He
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Fangshan District, Beijing 102488, China
| | - Chuanxin Liu
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Fangshan District, Beijing 102488, China; Department of Metabolism and Endocrinology, Endocrine and Metabolic Disease Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, and College of Clinical Medicine of Henan, University of Science and Technology; Medical Key Laboratory of Hereditary Rare Diseases of Henan; Luoyang Sub-center of National Clinical Research Center for Metabolic Diseases, Luoyang, 471003, China.
| | - Jianmei Huang
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Fangshan District, Beijing 102488, China.
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Zhang S, Li C, Feng T, Cao S, Zhou H, Li L, Hu Q, Mao X, Ji S. A Metabolic Profiling Study of Realgar-Induced Acute Kidney Injury in Mice. Front Pharmacol 2021; 12:706249. [PMID: 34497512 PMCID: PMC8419260 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.706249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2021] [Accepted: 08/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Realgar has been used as a type of mineral drug that contains arsenic for thousands of years. Previous studies have shown that Realgar-induced acute kidney injury is associated with abnormal metabolism, but the underlying mechanism is poorly understood. The aim of this study is to investigate the metabolic changes in serum and kidney tissues of mice exposed to Realgar by using a metabolomic approach and explore the molecular mechanisms of acute kidney injury induced by Realgar. Forty mice were randomly divided into four groups: Control group, 0.5-, 1.0, and 2.0 g/kg Realgar group. After 1 week, the body weight and kidney weight of the mice were measured. The serum and kidney samples were used for LC-MS spectroscopic metabolic profiling. Principal component analysis (PCA), correlation analysis, and pathway analysis were used to detect the nephrotoxic effects of Realgar. Body weight decreased significantly in the 2.0 g/kg group, and the kidney weight index also showed a dose-dependent increase in Realgar. The PCA score plot showed the serum and kidney tissue metabolic profile of mice exposed to 2.0 g/kg Realgar separated from the control group, while the lower-doses of 0.5 g/kg and 1.0 g/kg Realgar shown a similar view to the Control group. Thirty-three metabolites and seventeen metabolites were screened and identified in the serum and kidney of mice in a dose-dependent manner. respectively. Correlation analysis showed a strong correlation among these metabolites. Amino acid metabolism, lipid metabolism, glutathione metabolism, and purine metabolism pathways were found to be mainly associated with Realgar nephrotoxicity. This work illustrated the metabolic alterations in Realgar-induced nephrotoxic mice through a metabolomic approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheng Zhang
- Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China.,NMPA Key Laboratory for Quality Control of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai Institute for Food and Drug Control, Shanghai, China
| | - Chao Li
- NMPA Key Laboratory for Quality Control of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai Institute for Food and Drug Control, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Tingting Feng
- NMPA Key Laboratory for Quality Control of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai Institute for Food and Drug Control, Shanghai, China
| | - Shuai Cao
- NMPA Key Laboratory for Quality Control of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai Institute for Food and Drug Control, Shanghai, China
| | - Heng Zhou
- NMPA Key Laboratory for Quality Control of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai Institute for Food and Drug Control, Shanghai, China
| | - Limin Li
- NMPA Key Laboratory for Quality Control of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai Institute for Food and Drug Control, Shanghai, China
| | - Qing Hu
- NMPA Key Laboratory for Quality Control of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai Institute for Food and Drug Control, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiuhong Mao
- NMPA Key Laboratory for Quality Control of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai Institute for Food and Drug Control, Shanghai, China
| | - Shen Ji
- Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China.,NMPA Key Laboratory for Quality Control of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai Institute for Food and Drug Control, Shanghai, China
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Zhang S, Li C, Feng T, Cao S, Zhou H, Li L, Hu Q, Mao X, Ji S. Proteomics analysis in the kidney of mice following oral feeding Realgar. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2021; 275:114118. [PMID: 33878415 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2021.114118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2021] [Revised: 04/03/2021] [Accepted: 04/06/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Realgar, a famous traditional Chinese mineral medicine, has been toxic to the renal system. However, the underlying mechanism of Realgar nephrotoxicity is still unclear. AIM OF THE STUDY This study aimed to investigate the potential mechanism of Realgar-induced nephrotoxicity by using a label-free quantitative proteomic method. MATERIALS AND METHODS 36 mice were randomly divided into four groups: Control group, 0.5-, 1.0, and 2.0 g/kg Realgar group. After one week, serum biochemical parameters and renal histopathological examination were performed. Label-free quantitative proteomics was used to identify differentially expressed proteins which were subsequently analyzed with bioinformatics methods. Western blot was utilized to verify the six representative protein expressions. RESULTS The results showed that 2.0 g/kg Realgar significantly increased blood urea nitrogen and induced the formation of tube cast of renal tubules, while the lower-dose of 0.5 g/kg and 1.0 g/kg Realgar showed no changes. Label-free proteomic analysis identified 3138 proteins, and 272 of those proteins were screened for significant changes in a dose-dependent manner. Functional enrichment analysis suggested that these proteins could affect the apoptotic process and oxidative stress. Representative proteins in the 2.0 g/kg Realgar group, including Cat, Bad, Cycs, Nqo1, Podxl, and Hmox1, were verified by western blot. CONCLUSIONS The results in this study suggest that apoptosis and oxidative stress might be related to the Realgar-induced nephrotoxicity in mice. Moreover, the strategy of proteomics could contribute to the understanding of the mechanisms of nephrotoxicity in mice exposed to Realgar.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheng Zhang
- Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, 300139, China; NMPA Key Laboratory for Quality Control of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai Institute for Food and Drug Control, Shanghai, 201203, China.
| | - Chao Li
- NMPA Key Laboratory for Quality Control of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai Institute for Food and Drug Control, Shanghai, 201203, China; Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Tingting Feng
- NMPA Key Laboratory for Quality Control of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai Institute for Food and Drug Control, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Shuai Cao
- NMPA Key Laboratory for Quality Control of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai Institute for Food and Drug Control, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Heng Zhou
- NMPA Key Laboratory for Quality Control of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai Institute for Food and Drug Control, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Liming Li
- NMPA Key Laboratory for Quality Control of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai Institute for Food and Drug Control, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Qing Hu
- NMPA Key Laboratory for Quality Control of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai Institute for Food and Drug Control, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Xiuhong Mao
- NMPA Key Laboratory for Quality Control of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai Institute for Food and Drug Control, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Shen Ji
- Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, 300139, China; NMPA Key Laboratory for Quality Control of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai Institute for Food and Drug Control, Shanghai, 201203, China.
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The Herbal Constituents in An-Gong-Niu-Huang Wan (AGNH) Protect against Cinnabar- and Realgar-Induced Hepatorenal Toxicity and Accumulations of Mercury and Arsenic in Mice. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE 2021; 2021:5566078. [PMID: 33868437 PMCID: PMC8035015 DOI: 10.1155/2021/5566078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2021] [Revised: 03/19/2021] [Accepted: 03/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
An-Gong-Niu-Huang Wan (AGNH) has been a well-known cinnabar- and realgar-containing compound recipe for cerebral diseases. Unfortunately, its clinical practice is often restrained by the specific hepatorenal toxicity of cinnabar and realgar (C + R). In previous research studies, we have found that the antioxidative and anti-inflammatory effects of its herbal constituents could mitigate the risks from the toxicity. The underlying detoxification mechanisms are still unsolved. The present study investigated the protective effects of AGNH's herbal constituents on hepatorenal injury induced by C + R. For the mice treated with C + R, the increased expression levels of sensitive biomarkers of metal exposure and hepatorenal toxicity, including metallothionein (MT) in both hepatorenal tissues and kidney induced molecule-1 (KIM-1) in the kidney, were simultaneously reduced when C + R coadministered with other herbal medicines. In addition, the contents of trivalent As (AsIII), pentavalent As (Asv), and mercury (Hg) in hepatorenal tissues of mice were also significantly reduced benefiting from the herbal constituents in AGNH. Further mechanism studies showed that the herbal constituents in AGNH could downregulate the expressions of uptake transporters (AQP9 and OAT1) and upregulate the expressions of efflux transporters (P-gp, MRP2, and MRP4) in mice intoxicated by C + R. Our results suggested that AGNH's herbal constituents protect the body against C + R-induced hepatorenal toxicity and accumulations of Hg and As, which could be associated with the reestablishment of heavy metal homeostasis and the detoxification system.
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Zhang Z, Zeng P, Gao W, Wu R, Deng T, Chen S, Tian X. Exploration of the Potential Mechanism of Calculus Bovis in Treatment of Primary Liver Cancer by Network Pharmacology. Comb Chem High Throughput Screen 2021; 24:129-138. [PMID: 32772910 DOI: 10.2174/1386207323666200808172051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2020] [Revised: 05/21/2020] [Accepted: 06/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
AIM AND OBJECTIVE Calculus Bovis (CB) has been employed to treat diseases for a long time. It has been identified to play significant anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor roles. However, the mechanism of treating primary liver cancer (PLC) remains to be revealed. This study aims to clarify the molecules and mechanisms of CB in treating PLC. MATERIALS AND METHODS After oral bioavailability (OB) and drug-likeness (DL) screening, 15 small molecules were identified as the potential ingredients against PLC. Following this, related targets network constructions and pathways were applied to clarify the mechanism of CB in treating PLC. An in vitro experiment was carried out to identify the function of CB in treating PLC. RESULTS Eleven compounds of CB were identified that play an anti-PLC role, including oleanolic acid, ergosterol, ursolic acid, etc. The potential targets which were observed include IL6, MAPK-8, VEGFA, Caspase-3, etc. Further analysis showed that the mechanism of CB in the treatment of PLC involved apoptosis-related pathways and immune-related pathways. CONCLUSION In summary, the current study combines network pharmacology and in vitro experiments to reveal the mechanism of CB against PLC. We concluded that 11 ingredients of CB have an anti-PLC effect. Furthermore, CB plays a key role in treating PLC mainly by apoptosisrelated pathways and immune-related pathways. Our experiment verifies that CB promotes the apoptosis of SMMC-7721.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhen Zhang
- Hunan Key Laboratory of TCM Prescription and Syndromes Translational Medicine, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha 410208, China
| | - Puhua Zeng
- Affiliated Hospital of Hunan Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Changsha 410006, China
| | - Wenhui Gao
- School of Chinese Medicine, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha 410208, China
| | - Ruoxia Wu
- Hunan Key Laboratory of TCM Prescription and Syndromes Translational Medicine, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha 410208, China
| | - Tianhao Deng
- Affiliated Hospital of Hunan Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Changsha 410006, China
| | - Siqin Chen
- Affiliated Hospital of Hunan Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Changsha 410006, China
| | - Xuefei Tian
- Hunan Key Laboratory of TCM Prescription and Syndromes Translational Medicine, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha 410208, China
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He T, Liu J, Wang X, Duan C, Li X, Zhang J. Analysis of cantharidin-induced nephrotoxicity in HK-2 cells using untargeted metabolomics and an integrative network pharmacology analysis. Food Chem Toxicol 2020; 146:111845. [DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2020.111845] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2020] [Revised: 10/27/2020] [Accepted: 10/30/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
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Xie L, Zhao Y, Duan J, Fan S, Shu L, Liu H, Wang Y, Xu Y, Li Y. Integrated Proteomics and Metabolomics Reveal the Mechanism of Nephrotoxicity Induced by Triptolide. Chem Res Toxicol 2020; 33:1897-1906. [PMID: 32519852 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrestox.0c00091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Triptolide (TP), the main active ingredient of Tripterygium wilfordii Hook F., has great potential in the treatment of autoimmune diseases. However, it has been found that the side effects of TP involve multiple organs and systems, of which the most serious side effects relate to the kidney. The mechanism of nephrotoxicity caused by TP requires further investigation. In the present study, we integrated proteomic and metabolomic methods to identify proteins and small molecule metabolites associated with TP-induced nephrotoxicity. There was a significant difference (p value <0.05) in the expression changes of 357 proteins for quantitative proteomics. In addition, high resolution metabolomic data showed significant changes in the levels of 9 metabolites, including hypoxanthine, PC(22:0/18:4), sphingosine, phenylalanine, etc. Finally, based on the Kyoto Encyclopaedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) database for network analysis, it was determined that the 7 differentially expressed proteins were highly correlated with these 9 metabolites. Enrichment analysis revealed that the metabolic pathways involved purine and pyrimidine metabolism, glycerol and phospholipid metabolism, sphingolipid metabolism, and amino acid metabolism. The key target proteins were verified by Western blot technology, and the mechanism of TP-induced nephrotoxicity was further elucidated to provide a basis for safe and rational application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lijuan Xie
- Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, No. 10, Poyang Lake Road, West Zone, Tuanbo New City, Jinghai District, Tianjin 301600, China
| | - Yiwei Zhao
- Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, No. 10, Poyang Lake Road, West Zone, Tuanbo New City, Jinghai District, Tianjin 301600, China
| | - Jingyi Duan
- Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, No. 10, Poyang Lake Road, West Zone, Tuanbo New City, Jinghai District, Tianjin 301600, China
| | - Simiao Fan
- Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, No. 10, Poyang Lake Road, West Zone, Tuanbo New City, Jinghai District, Tianjin 301600, China
| | - Lexin Shu
- Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, No. 10, Poyang Lake Road, West Zone, Tuanbo New City, Jinghai District, Tianjin 301600, China
| | - Hui Liu
- Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, No. 10, Poyang Lake Road, West Zone, Tuanbo New City, Jinghai District, Tianjin 301600, China
| | - Yuming Wang
- Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, No. 10, Poyang Lake Road, West Zone, Tuanbo New City, Jinghai District, Tianjin 301600, China
| | - Yanyan Xu
- Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, No. 10, Poyang Lake Road, West Zone, Tuanbo New City, Jinghai District, Tianjin 301600, China
| | - Yubo Li
- Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, No. 10, Poyang Lake Road, West Zone, Tuanbo New City, Jinghai District, Tianjin 301600, China
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Hu AL, Song S, Li Y, Xu SF, Zhang F, Li C, Liu J. Mercury sulfide-containing Hua-Feng-Dan and 70W (Rannasangpei) protect against LPS plus MPTP-induced neurotoxicity and disturbance of gut microbiota in mice. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2020; 254:112674. [PMID: 32105745 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2020.112674] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2019] [Revised: 02/11/2020] [Accepted: 02/13/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Mercury sulfides (HgS) are frequently included in Ayurveda, Tibetan and Chinese medicines to assist the presumed therapeutic effects, but the ethnopharmacology remains elusive. The present study examined the protective effects of α-HgS-containing Hua-Feng-Dan and β-HgS-containing 70 Wei-Zhen-Zhu-Wan (70W, Rannasangpei) against Parkinson's disease mice induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) plus 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP). METHOD A single injection of LPS (5 mg/kg ip) was given to adult male C57BL/6 mice, and 150 days later, the low dose of MPTP (15 mg/kg, ip, for 4 days) was given to produce the "two-hit" Parkinson's disease model. Together with MPTP treatment, mice were fed with clinically-relevant doses of Hua-Feng-Dan (0.6 g/kg) and 70W (0.2 g/kg) for 35 days. Rotarod test was performed to examine muscle coordination capability. At the end of the experiment, brain was transcardially perfused with paraformaldehyde, the substantia nigra was sectioned for microglia (Iba1 staining) and dopaminergic neuron (THir staining) determination. Colon bacterial DNA was extracted and subjected to qPCR analysis with 16S rRNA probes. RESULTS The low-grade, chronic neuroinflammation produced by LPS aggravated MPTP neurotoxicity, as evidenced by decreased motor activity, intensified microglia activation and loss of dopaminergic neurons. Both Hua-Feng-Dan and 70W increased rotarod activity and ameliorated the pathological lesions in the brain. In gut microbiomes examined, LPS plus MPTP increased Verrucomicrobiaceae, Methanobacteriaceae, Pronicromonosporaceae, and Clostridaceae species were attenuated by Hua-Feng-Dan and 70W. CONCLUSIONS α-HgS-containing Hua-Feng-Dan and β-HgS-containing 70W at clinical doses protected against chronic LPS plus MPTP-induced toxicity to the brain and gut, suggesting HgS-containing traditional medicines could target gut microbiota as a mechanism of their therapeutic effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- An-Ling Hu
- Key Lab for Pharmacology of Ministry of Education and Joint International Research Laboratory of Ethnomedicine, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, 563000, China.
| | - Sheng Song
- Biomedical Research Imaging Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA.
| | - Yi Li
- Key Lab for Pharmacology of Ministry of Education and Joint International Research Laboratory of Ethnomedicine, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, 563000, China.
| | - Shang-Fu Xu
- Key Lab for Pharmacology of Ministry of Education and Joint International Research Laboratory of Ethnomedicine, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, 563000, China.
| | - Feng Zhang
- Key Lab for Pharmacology of Ministry of Education and Joint International Research Laboratory of Ethnomedicine, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, 563000, China.
| | - Cen Li
- Qinghai Key Laboratory of Tibetan Medicine Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation Northwest Institute of Plateau Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xining, 810008, China.
| | - Jie Liu
- Key Lab for Pharmacology of Ministry of Education and Joint International Research Laboratory of Ethnomedicine, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, 563000, China.
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Chen H, He Y, Chen S, Qi S, Shen J. Therapeutic targets of oxidative/nitrosative stress and neuroinflammation in ischemic stroke: Applications for natural product efficacy with omics and systemic biology. Pharmacol Res 2020; 158:104877. [PMID: 32407958 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2020.104877] [Citation(s) in RCA: 97] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2020] [Revised: 04/27/2020] [Accepted: 04/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Oxidative/nitrosative stress and neuroinflammation are critical pathological processes in cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury, and their intimate interactions mediate neuronal damage, blood-brain barrier (BBB) damage and hemorrhagic transformation (HT) during ischemic stroke. We review current progress towards understanding the interactions of oxidative/nitrosative stress and inflammatory responses in ischemic brain injury. The interactions between reactive oxygen species (ROS)/reactive nitrogen species (RNS) and innate immune receptors such as TLR2/4, NOD-like receptor, RAGE, and scavenger receptors are crucial pathological mechanisms that amplify brain damage during cerebral ischemic injury. Furthermore, we review the current progress of omics and systematic biology approaches for studying complex network regulations related to oxidative/nitrosative stress and inflammation in the pathology of ischemic stroke. Targeting oxidative/nitrosative stress and neuroinflammation could be a promising therapeutic strategy for ischemic stroke treatment. We then review recent advances in discovering compounds from medicinal herbs with the bioactivities of simultaneously regulating oxidative/nitrosative stress and pro-inflammatory molecules for minimizing ischemic brain injury. These compounds include sesamin, baicalin, salvianolic acid A, 6-paradol, silymarin, apocynin, 3H-1,2-Dithiole-3-thione, (-)-epicatechin, rutin, Dl-3-N-butylphthalide, and naringin. We finally summarize recent developments of the omics and systematic biology approaches for exploring the molecular mechanisms and active compounds of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) formulae with the properties of antioxidant and anti-inflammation for neuroprotection. The comprehensive omics and systematic biology approaches provide powerful tools for exploring therapeutic principles of TCM formulae and developing precision medicine for stroke treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hansen Chen
- School of Chinese Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region; The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Institute of Research and Innovation (HKU-SIRI), China
| | - Yacong He
- School of Chinese Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
| | - Shuang Chen
- School of Chinese Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
| | - Suhua Qi
- School of Medical Technology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, 221002, China
| | - Jiangang Shen
- School of Chinese Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region; The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Institute of Research and Innovation (HKU-SIRI), China; School of Medical Technology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, 221002, China.
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20
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Zhou Q, Meng P, Zhang Y, Chen P, Wang H, Tan G. The compatibility effects of sini decoction against doxorubicin-induced heart failure in rats revealed by mass spectrometry-based serum metabolite profiling and computational analysis. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2020; 252:112618. [PMID: 32006632 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2020.112618] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2019] [Revised: 11/26/2019] [Accepted: 01/22/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Sini decoction (SND) is a famous Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) formula composed of Acontium carmichaeli, Zingiber officinale and Glycyrrhiza uralensis, which is considered as an efficient formula against doxorubicin (DOX)-induced heart failure. But the compatibility mechanism of SND remains unclear. AIM OF THE STUDY The present study aimed to investigate the compatibility mechanism of SND against DOX-induced heart failure in rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS Mass spectrometry-based serum metabolomics were performed. The relative distance values (RDVs) of SND, A. carmichaeli-free decoction (ACFD), Z. officinale-free decoction (ZOFD) and G. uralensis-free decoction (GUFD) treated groups from the control/DOX groups in multidimensional space were calculated to provide a measure of compatibility effect of SND. SND, ACFD, ZOFD, GUFD-targeted metabolic pathways were identified and compared to investigate the synergistic mechanism of SND by computational systems analysis. Real-time quantitative PCR was further employed to validate the key metabolic pathways at the level of the gene. RESULTS The RDVs combined with the hemodynamic and biochemical analysis showed that the protection effects were sorted as SND > GUFD > ZOFD > ACFD. It revealed that DOX-induced heart failure perturbed 16 metabolic pathways, and SND, GUFD, ZOFD and ACFD-treated groups could significantly reversed 12, 10, 7 and 6 metabolic pathways of these 16 metabolic pathways, respectively. Metabolic pathway and RT-PCR analysis indicated that both SND and GUFD could protect DOX-induced heart failure mainly by regulating PLA2-COX pathway and PLA2-CYP pathway. CONCLUSION It can be concluded that A. carmichaeli played an essential role in attenuation of DOX-induced heart failure among the three herb constituents of SND and the constituent herbs mutually reinforced each other. This work demonstrated that metabolomics combined with computational systems analysis was a promising tool for uncovering the compatibility effects of TCM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian Zhou
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710032, China
| | - Ping Meng
- Department of Urology, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710032, China
| | - Ya Zhang
- School of Pharmacy, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710032, China
| | - Peng Chen
- School of Pharmacy, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710032, China
| | - Haibo Wang
- School of Pharmacy, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710032, China
| | - Guangguo Tan
- School of Pharmacy, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710032, China.
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21
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Protective Effect of Ocotillol, the Derivate of Ocotillol-Type Saponins in Panax Genus, against Acetic Acid-Induced Gastric Ulcer in Rats Based on Untargeted Metabolomics. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21072577. [PMID: 32276345 PMCID: PMC7177626 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21072577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2020] [Revised: 03/30/2020] [Accepted: 04/02/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Gastric ulcer (GU), a prevalent digestive disease, has a high incidence and is seriously harmful to human health. Finding a natural drug with a gastroprotective effect is needed. Ocotillol, the derivate of ocotillol-type saponins in the Panax genus, possesses good anti-inflammatory activity. The study aimed to investigate the gastroprotective effect of ocotillol on acetic acid-induced GU rats. The serum levels of endothelin-1 (ET-1) and nitric oxide (NO), the gastric mucosa levels of epidermal growth factor, superoxide dismutase and NO were assessed. Hematoxylin and eosin staining of gastric mucosa for pathological changes and immunohistochemical staining of ET-1, epidermal growth factor receptors and inducible nitric oxide synthase were evaluated. A UPLC-QTOF-MS-based serum metabolomics approach was applied to explore the latent mechanism. A total of 21 potential metabolites involved in 7 metabolic pathways were identified. The study helps us to understand the pathogenesis of GU and to provide a potential natural anti-ulcer agent.
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Du Y, Wu B, Xiao F, Yan T, Li Q, Jia Y, Bi K, He B. Untargeted metabolomic study on the insomnia effect of Suan‐Zao‐Ren decoction in the rat serum and brain using ultra‐high‐performance liquid chromatography quadrupole time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry combined with data processing analysis. J Sep Sci 2020; 43:2019-2030. [DOI: 10.1002/jssc.201901002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2019] [Revised: 02/06/2020] [Accepted: 02/13/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Yiyang Du
- School of Functional Food and WineShenyang Pharmaceutical University Shenyang P. R. China
| | - Bo Wu
- School of Functional Food and WineShenyang Pharmaceutical University Shenyang P. R. China
| | - Feng Xiao
- School of Functional Food and WineShenyang Pharmaceutical University Shenyang P. R. China
| | - Tingxu Yan
- School of Functional Food and WineShenyang Pharmaceutical University Shenyang P. R. China
| | - Qing Li
- School of PharmacyShenyang Pharmaceutical University Shenyang P. R. China
| | - Ying Jia
- School of Functional Food and WineShenyang Pharmaceutical University Shenyang P. R. China
| | - Kaishun Bi
- School of PharmacyShenyang Pharmaceutical University Shenyang P. R. China
| | - Bosai He
- School of Functional Food and WineShenyang Pharmaceutical University Shenyang P. R. China
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Liu WX, Cheng XL, Guo XH, Hu XR, Wei F, Ma SC. Identification of Calculus Bovis and its mixed varieties by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography/quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UHPLC-Q/TOF-MS) combined with the principal component analysis (PCA) method. J Pharm Biomed Anal 2020; 179:112979. [PMID: 31825798 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpba.2019.112979] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2019] [Revised: 11/05/2019] [Accepted: 11/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The method of ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography/quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UHPLC-Q/TOF-MS) was established and combined with principal component analysis (PCA) to identify natural Calculus Bovis, in vitro cultured Calculus Bovis and artificial Calculus Bovis. PCA, which was particularly powerful in dealing with multicollinearity and variables that outnumber the samples, was used to analyze the UHPLC-MS data of the processed samples, and potential markers were analyzed and described based on orthogonal partial least-squares discriminant analysis. According to the results in this study, the approach of combining UHPLC-QTOF-MS with PCA was proven to be credible and could be used to identify Calculus Bovis from in vitro cultured Calculus Bovis and artificial Calculus Bovis and to determine if there is Calculus Bovis in patented Chinese medicines that should contained Calculus Bovis medicinal materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen-Xi Liu
- Research and Inspection Center of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Ethnomedicine, National Institutes for Food and Drug Control, State Food and Drug Administration, No.2, Tiantan Xili, Beijing, 100050, China; Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, No. 9, Dongdan Santiao, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Xian-Long Cheng
- Research and Inspection Center of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Ethnomedicine, National Institutes for Food and Drug Control, State Food and Drug Administration, No.2, Tiantan Xili, Beijing, 100050, China
| | - Xiao-Han Guo
- Research and Inspection Center of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Ethnomedicine, National Institutes for Food and Drug Control, State Food and Drug Administration, No.2, Tiantan Xili, Beijing, 100050, China
| | - Xiao-Ru Hu
- Research and Inspection Center of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Ethnomedicine, National Institutes for Food and Drug Control, State Food and Drug Administration, No.2, Tiantan Xili, Beijing, 100050, China
| | - Feng Wei
- Research and Inspection Center of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Ethnomedicine, National Institutes for Food and Drug Control, State Food and Drug Administration, No.2, Tiantan Xili, Beijing, 100050, China.
| | - Shuang-Cheng Ma
- Research and Inspection Center of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Ethnomedicine, National Institutes for Food and Drug Control, State Food and Drug Administration, No.2, Tiantan Xili, Beijing, 100050, China; Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, No. 9, Dongdan Santiao, Beijing, 100730, China.
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Chen C, Zhang BB, Hu AL, Li H, Liu J, Zhang F. Protective role of cinnabar and realgar in Hua-Feng-Dan against LPS plus rotenone-induced neurotoxicity and disturbance of gut microbiota in rats. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2020; 247:112299. [PMID: 31606537 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2019.112299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2019] [Revised: 09/11/2019] [Accepted: 10/09/2019] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Hua-Feng-Dan (HFD) is a traditional Chinese medicine used for neurological disorders. HFD contains cinnabar (HgS) and realgar (As4S4). The ethnopharmacological basis of cinnabar and realgar in HFD is not known. AIM OF THE STUDY To address the role of cinnabar and realgar in HFD-produced neuroprotection against neurodegenerative diseases and disturbance of gut microbiota. MATERIALS AND METHODS Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) plus rotenone (ROT)-elicited rat dopaminergic (DA) neuronal damage loss was performed as a Parkinson's disease animal model. Rats were given a single injection of LPS. Four months later, rats were challenged with the threshold dose of ROT. The clinical dose of HFD was administered via feed, starting from ROT administration for 46 days. Behavioral dysfunction was detected by rotarod and Y-maze tests. DA neuron loss and microglial activation were assessed via immunohistochemical staining and western bolt analysis. The colon content was collected to extract bacterial DNA followed by real-time PCR analysis with 16S rRNA primers. RESULTS LPS plus ROT induced neurotoxicity, as evidenced by DA neuron loss in substantia nigra, impaired behavioral functions and increased microglial activation. HFD-original (containing 10% cinnabar and 10% realgar) rescued loss of DA neurons, improved behavioral dysfunction and attenuated microglial activation. Compared with HFD-original, HFD-reduced (3% cinnabar and 3% realgar) was also effective, but to be a less extent, while HFD-removed (without cinnabar and realgar) was ineffective. In analysis of gut microbiome, the increased Verrucomicrobiaceae and Lactobacteriaceae, and the decreased Enterobacteeriaceae by LPS plus ROT were ameliorated by HFD-original, and to be the less extent by HFD-reduced. CONCLUSION Cinnabar and realgar are active ingredients in HFD to exert beneficial effects in a neurodegenerative model and gut microbiota.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ce Chen
- Key Laboratory of Basic Pharmacology of Ministry of Education and Joint International Research Laboratory of Ethnomedicine of Ministry of Education, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou, China
| | - Bin-Bin Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Basic Pharmacology of Ministry of Education and Joint International Research Laboratory of Ethnomedicine of Ministry of Education, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou, China
| | - An-Ling Hu
- Key Laboratory of Basic Pharmacology of Ministry of Education and Joint International Research Laboratory of Ethnomedicine of Ministry of Education, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou, China
| | - Huan Li
- Key Laboratory of Basic Pharmacology of Ministry of Education and Joint International Research Laboratory of Ethnomedicine of Ministry of Education, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou, China
| | - Jie Liu
- Key Laboratory of Basic Pharmacology of Ministry of Education and Joint International Research Laboratory of Ethnomedicine of Ministry of Education, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou, China.
| | - Feng Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Basic Pharmacology of Ministry of Education and Joint International Research Laboratory of Ethnomedicine of Ministry of Education, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou, China.
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Zhang XW, Li QH, Xu ZD, Dou JJ. Mass spectrometry-based metabolomics in health and medical science: a systematic review. RSC Adv 2020; 10:3092-3104. [PMID: 35497733 PMCID: PMC9048967 DOI: 10.1039/c9ra08985c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2019] [Accepted: 12/14/2019] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Metabolomics is the study of the investigation of small molecules derived from cellular and organism metabolism, which reflects the outcomes of the complex network of biochemical reactions in living systems. As the most recent member of the omics family, there has been notable progress in metabolomics in the last decade, mainly driven by the improvement in mass spectrometry (MS). MS-based metabolomic strategies in modern health and medical science studies provide innovative tools for novel diagnostic and prognostic approaches, as well as an augmented role in drug development, nutrition science, toxicology, and forensic science. In the present review, we not only introduce the application of MS-based metabolomics in the above fields, but also discuss the MS analysis technologies commonly used in metabolomics and the application of metabolomics in precision medicine, and further explore the challenges and perspectives of metabolomics in the field of health and medical science, which are expected to make a little contribution to the better development of metabolomics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xi-Wu Zhang
- Institute of Chinese Medicine, Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine Heping Road 24 Harbin 150040 China +86-451-87266827 +86-451-87266827
| | - Qiu-Han Li
- Institute of Chinese Medicine, Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine Heping Road 24 Harbin 150040 China +86-451-87266827 +86-451-87266827
| | - Zuo-di Xu
- Institute of Chinese Medicine, Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine Heping Road 24 Harbin 150040 China +86-451-87266827 +86-451-87266827
| | - Jin-Jin Dou
- Institute of Chinese Medicine, Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine Heping Road 24 Harbin 150040 China +86-451-87266827 +86-451-87266827
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Tsoi B, Wang S, Gao C, Luo Y, Li W, Yang D, Yang D, Shen J. Realgar and cinnabar are essential components contributing to neuroprotection of Angong Niuhuang Wan with no hepatorenal toxicity in transient ischemic brain injury. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 2019; 377:114613. [PMID: 31207256 DOI: 10.1016/j.taap.2019.114613] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2019] [Revised: 06/03/2019] [Accepted: 06/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Realgar and cinnabar are commonly used mineral medicine containing arsenic and mercury in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Angong Niuhuang Wan (AGNHW) is a representative realgar- and cinnabar-containing TCM formula for treating acute ischemic stroke, but its toxicology and neuropharmacological effects are not well addressed. In this study, we compared the neuropharmacological effects of AGNHW and modified AGNHW in an experimental ischemic stroke rat model. Male SD rats were subjected to 2 h of middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) plus 22 h of reperfusion. Although oral administration of AGNHW for 7 days in the rats increased arsenic level in the blood and liver tissue, there were no significant changes in the arsenic level in kidney, mercury level in the blood, liver and kidney as well as hepatic and renal functions in MCAO rats. AGNHW revealed neuroprotective properties by reducing infarction volume, preserving blood-brain barrier integrity and improving neurological functions against cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury. Interestingly, removing realgar and/or cinnabar from AGNHW abolished the neuroprotective effects. Meanwhile, AGNHW could scavenge peroxynitrite, down-regulate the expression of p47phox, 3-NT and MMP-9 and up-regulate the expression of ZO-1 and claudin-5 in the ischemic brains, which were abolished by removing realgar and/or cinnabar from AGNHW. Notably, realgar or cinnabar had no neuroprotection when used alone. Taken together, oral administration of AGNHW for one week should be safe for treating ischemic stroke with neuroprotective effects. Realgar and cinnabar are necessary elements with synergetic actions with other herbal materials for the neuroprotective effects of AGNHW against cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bun Tsoi
- School of Chinese Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Songlin Wang
- School of Chinese Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Chong Gao
- School of Chinese Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Yunhao Luo
- School of Biomedical Science, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Wenting Li
- School of Chinese Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Dan Yang
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Depo Yang
- School of Pharmaceutical Science, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jiangang Shen
- School of Chinese Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
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Chemical Compositions of Metals in Bhasmas and Tibetan Zuotai Are a Major Determinant of Their Therapeutic Effects and Toxicity. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE 2019; 2019:1697804. [PMID: 30941186 PMCID: PMC6421027 DOI: 10.1155/2019/1697804] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2018] [Revised: 11/30/2018] [Accepted: 12/09/2018] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Minerals are alchemically processed as Bhasmas in Ayurvedic medicines or as Zuotai in Tibetan medicines. Ayurveda is a knowledge system of longevity and considers the mineral elixir made from “nature” capable of giving humans perpetual life. Herbo-metallic preparations have a long history in the treatment of various diseases in India, China, and around the world. Their disposition, pharmacology, efficacy, and safety require scientific evaluation. This review discusses the Bhasmas in Ayurvedic medicines and Zuotai in Tibetan medicines for their occurrence, bioaccessibility, therapeutic use, pharmacology, toxicity, and research perspectives. A literature search on Mineral, Bhasma, Ayurvedic medicine, Zuotai, Tibetan medicine, and Metals/metalloids from PubMed, Google and other sources was carried out, and the relevant papers on their traditional use, pharmacology, and toxicity were selected and analyzed. Minerals are processed to form Bhasma or Zuotai to alter their physiochemical properties distinguishing them from environmental metals. The metals found in Ayurveda are mainly from the intentional addition in the form of Bhasma or Zuotai. Bhasma and Zuotai are often used in combination with other herbals and/or animal-based products as mixtures. The advanced technologies are now utilized to characterize herbo-metallic preparations as Quality Assurance/Quality Control. The bioaccessibility, absorption, distribution, metabolism, and elimination of herbo-metallic preparations are different from environmental metals. The pharmacological basis of Bhasma in Ayurveda and Zuotai in Tibetan medicines and their interactions with drugs require scientific research. Although the toxic potentials of Bhasma and Zuotai differ from environmental metals, the metal poisoning case reports, especially lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), and arsenic (As) from inappropriate use of traditional medicines, are increasing, and pharmacovigilance is desired. In risk assessment, chemical forms of metals in Bhasma and Zuotai should be considered for their disposition, efficacy, and toxicity.
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