The Regulatory Effects of Paeoniflorin and Its Derivative Paeoniflorin-6'-O-Benzene Sulfonate CP-25 on Inflammation and Immune Diseases

Ethnobotany and phytochemistry of plants used to treat musculoskeletal disorders among Skaw Karen, Thailand

CONTEXT

Musculoskeletal system disorders (MSD) are prevalent around the world affecting the health of people, especially farmers who work hard in the field. Karen farmers use many medicinal plants to treat MSD.

OBJECTIVE

This study collects traditional plant-based remedies used by the Skaw Karen to treat MSD and evaluates their active phytochemical compounds.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The ethnobotanical study was conducted in six Karen villages in Chiang Mai province using semi-structured interviews were of 120 informants. The data were analyzed using ethnobotanical indices including use values (UV), choice value (CV), and informant consensus factor (ICF). Consequently, the 20 most important species, according to the indices, were selected for phytochemical analysis using LC-MS/MS.

RESULTS

A total of 3731 use reports were obtained for 139 species used in MSD treatment. The most common ailments treated with those plants were muscular pain. A total of 172 high-potential active compounds for MSD treatment were identified. Most of them were flavonoids, terpenoids, alkaloids, and steroids. The prevalent phytochemical compounds related to treat MSD were 9-hydroxycalabaxanthone, dihydrovaltrate, morroniside, isoacteoside, lithocholic acid, pomiferin, cucurbitacin E, leonuriside A, liriodendrin, and physalin E. Sambucus javanica Reinw. ex Blume (Adoxaceae), Betula alnoides Buch.-Ham. ex D.Don (Betulaceae), Blumea balsamifera (L.) DC. (Asteraceae), Plantago major L. (Plantaginaceae) and Flacourtia jangomas (Lour.) Raeusch. (Salicaceae) all had high ethnobotanical index values and many active compounds.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS

This study provides valuable information, demonstrating low-cost medicine plants that are locally available. It is a choice of treatment for people living in remote areas.

Inhibition of GRK2 ameliorates the pristane-induced mouse SLE model by suppressing plasma cells differentiation

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a multifaceted autoimmune disorder characterized by diverse clinical manifestations and organ damage. Despite its elusive etiology, dysregulated subsets and functions of B cells are pivotal in SLE pathogenesis. Peoniflorin-6'-O-benzene sulfonate (CP-25), an esterification modification of Paeoniflorin, exhibits potent anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties in autoimmune diseases (AID). However, the involvement of CP-25 and its target, GRK2, in SLE development has not been explored. In this study, we demonstrate that both genetic deficiency and pharmacological inhibition of GRK2 attenuate autoantibodies production, reduce systemic inflammation, and mitigate histopathological alterations in the spleen and kidney in the pristane-induced mouse SLE model. Importantly, our findings highlight that both genetic deficiency and pharmacological inhibition of GRK2 suppress plasma cells generation and restore dysregulated B-cell subsets by modulating two crucial transcription factors, Blimp1 and IRF4. Collectively, targeting GRK2 with CP-25 emerges as a promising therapeutic approach for SLE.

Contents of paeoniflorin and albiflorin in two Korean landraces of Paeonia lactiflora and characterization of paeoniflorin biosynthesis genes in peony

BACKGROUND AND RESEARCH PURPOSE

Paeoniflorin and albiflorin are monoterpene glycosides that exhibit various medicinal properties in Paeonia species. This study explored the terpene biosynthesis pathway and analyzed the distribution of these compounds in different tissues of two Korean landraces of Paeonia lactiflora to gain insights into the biosynthesis of monoterpene glycosides in P. lactiflora and their potential applications.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Two Korean landraces, Hongcheon var. and Hwacheon var, of P. lactiflora were used for the analyses. Contents of the paeoniflorin and albiflorin were analyzed using HPLC. RNA was extracted, sequenced, and subjected to transcriptome analysis. Differential gene expression, KEGG, and GO analyses were performed. Paeoniflorin biosynthesis genes were isolated from the transcriptomes using the genes in Euphorbia maculata with the NBLAST program. Phylogenetic analysis of of 1-Deoxy-D-xylulose 5-phosphate synthase (DOXPS), geranyl pyrophosphate synthase (GPPS), and pinene synthase (PS) was carried out with ClustalW and MEGA v5.0.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Analysis of paeoniflorin and albiflorin content in different tissues of the two P. lactiflora landraces revealed significant variation. Transcriptome analysis yielded 36,602 unigenes, most of which were involved in metabolic processes. The DEG analysis revealed tissue-specific expression patterns with correlations between landraces. The isolation of biosynthetic genes identified 173 candidates. Phylogenetic analysis of the key enzymes in these pathways provides insights into their evolutionary relationships. The sequencing and analysis of DOXPS, GPPS, PS revealed distinct clades and subclades, highlighting their evolutionary divergence and functional conservation. Our findings highlight the roots as the primary sites of paeoniflorin and albiflorin accumulation in P. lactiflora, underscoring the importance of tissue-specific gene expression in their biosynthesis.

CONCLUSION

this study advances our understanding of monoterpene glycoside production and distribution in Paeonia, thereby guiding further plant biochemistry investigations.

The protective effect of natural medicines in rheumatoid arthritis via inhibit angiogenesis

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic immunological disease leading to the progressive bone and joint destruction. Angiogenesis, accompanied by synovial hyperplasia and inflammation underlies joint destruction. Delaying or even blocking synovial angiogenesis has emerged as an important target of RA treatment. Natural medicines has a long history of treating RA, and numerous reports have suggested that natural medicines have a strong inhibitory activity on synovial angiogenesis, thereby improving the progression of RA. Natural medicines could regulate the following signaling pathways: HIF/VEGF/ANG, PI3K/Akt pathway, MAPKs pathway, NF-κB pathway, PPARγ pathway, JAK2/STAT3 pathway, etc., thereby inhibiting angiogenesis. Tripterygium wilfordii Hook. f. (TwHF), sinomenine, and total glucoside of Paeonia lactiflora Pall. Are currently the most representative of all natural products worthy of development and utilization. In this paper, the main factors affecting angiogenesis were discussed and different types of natural medicines that inhibit angiogenesis were systematically summarized. Their specific anti-angiogenesis mechanisms are also reviewed which aiming to provide new perspective and options for the management of RA by targeting angiogenesis.

Metabolic profiling of synovial fluid in human temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis

Introduction

Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) osteoarthritis (OA) is a common TMJ degenerative disease with an unclear mechanism. Synovial fluid (SF), an important component of TMJ, contains various proteins and metabolites that may directly contribute to OA. The present study aimed to investigate the influence of SF in TMJOA at the metabolite level.

Methods

Untargeted and widely targeted metabolic profiling were employed to identify metabolic changes in SF of 90 patients with different TMJOA grades according to TMJ magnetic resonance imaging.

Results

A total 1498 metabolites were detected. Most of the metabolites were amino acids and associated metabolites, benzene and substituted derivatives, and lipids. Among patients with mild, moderate and severe TMJOA, 164 gradually increasing and 176 gradually decreasing metabolites were identified, indicating that biosynthesis of cofactors, choline metabolism, mineral absorption and selenocompound metabolism are closely related to TMJOA grade. Combined metabolomics and clinical examination revealed 37 upregulated metabolites and 16 downregulated metabolites in patients with pain, of which 19 and 26 metabolites were positively and negatively correlated, respectively, with maximum interincisal opening. A model was constructed to diagnose TMJOA grade and nine biomarkers were identified. The identified metabolites are key to exploring the mechanism of TMJOA.

Discussion

In the present study, a metabolic profile was constructed and assessed using a much larger number of human SF samples from patients with TMJOA, and a model was established to contribute to the diagnosis of TMJOA grade. The findings expand our knowledge of metabolites in human SF of TMJOA patients, and provide an important basis for further research on the pathogenesis and treatment of TMJOA.

[JAG1 affects monocytes-macrophages to reshape the pre-metastatic niche of triple-negative breast cancer through LncRNA MALAT1 in exosomes]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effect of JAG1 on the activities of monocytes-macrophages in pre-metastatic niche (PMN) of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) and explore the possible regulatory mechanism.

METHODS

JAG1 expression in human TNBC MDA-MB-231 and MDA-MB-231B cells was detected using quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR).Ten female nude mice were inoculated with MDA-MB-231 cells (n=5) or MDA-MB-231B cells (n=5) in the mammary fat pad, and 6 weeks later, the tumor tissues were collected for immunohistochemistry.Human monocytes THP-1 cells were treated with rhJAG1 or conditioned media (CM) of TNBC MDA-MB-231 and MDA-MB-231B cells to assess the direct effect of JAG1 on monocytes and its effect on monocytes in the PMN using monocyte-endothelial adhesion, Transwell assay, qRT-PCR and Western blotting.Transmission electron microscopy and nanoparticle tracking analyses were used to identify the effect of JAG1 on exosome release from the TNBC cells.MiRNAs interacting with lncRNA MALAT1 were identified by bioinformatics and validated using qRT-PCR.

RESULTS

Compared with MDA-MB-231 cells, the invasive strain MDA-MB-231B cells showed significantly higher JAG1 expression and greater liver metastasis potential (P<0.01).Both direct treatment with rhJAG1 and treatment with the conditioned media promoted adhesion and migration and affected differentiation of the monocytes (P<0.05).Transmission electron microscopy and nanoparticle tracking analysis showed that JAG1 strongly enhanced exosome secretion from MDAMB-231 cells (P<0.01) and increased MALAT1 content in the exosomes (P<0.0001).Five candidate miRNAs related to MALAT1 and JAG1 were identified by bioinformatics analysis, and miR-26a-5p was identified as a potential target of MALAT1 in monocytes-macrophages in TMN (P<0.0001).

CONCLUSION

JAG1 can promote exocrine secretion of TNBC and increase the expression of MALAT1 to cause targeted downregulation of miR-26a-5p in monocytes-macrophages in the PMN, which in turn increases JAG1 expression in monocytes-macrophages to affect their adhesion, migration and osteoclast differentiation in the PMN.

Recent advances in the treatment and prevention of peripheral neuropathy after multiple myeloma treatment

The incidence of multiple myeloma (MM) is increasing year by year, requiring chemotherapy drugs to control the condition. With the advent of new proteasome inhibitors, immunomodulators, and monoclonal antibodies, the prognosis of patients has improved significantly. However, peripheral neuropathy caused by drugs limits the dose and duration of treatment, which seriously affects patients' quality of life and treatment outcome. Although the neuropathies induced by chemotherapy drugs have attracted much attention, their mechanism and effective prevention and treatment measures are not clear. Therefore, how to alleviate peripheral neuropathy caused by drugs for treatment of MM is a key issue in improving patients' quality of life and prolonging their survival time, which have some clinical value. In this paper, we review the current research on the pathogenesis, pharmacological and nonpharmacological treatment, and prevention, which expects to present instruction for peripheral neuropathy after treatment of MM.

Glycosides as Potential Medicinal Components for Ulcerative Colitis: A Review

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic, non-specific disease of unknown etiology. The disease develops mainly in the rectum or colon, and the main clinical symptoms include abdominal pain, diarrhea, and purulent bloody stools, with a wide variation in severity. The specific causative factors and pathogenesis of the disease are not yet clear, but most scholars believe that the disease is caused by the interaction of genetic, environmental, infectious, immune, and intestinal flora factors. As for the treatment of UC, medications are commonly used in clinical practice, mainly including aminosalicylates, glucocorticoids, and immunosuppressive drugs. However, due to the many complications associated with conventional drug therapy and the tendency for UC to recur, there is an urgent need to discover new, safer, and more effective drugs. Natural compounds with biodiversity and chemical structure diversity from medicinal plants are the most reliable source for the development of new drug precursors. Evidence suggests that glycosides may reduce the development and progression of UC by modulating anti-inflammatory responses, inhibiting oxidative stress, suppressing abnormal immune responses, and regulating signal transduction. In this manuscript, we provide a review of the epidemiology of UC and the available drugs for disease prevention and treatment. In addition, we demonstrate the protective or therapeutic role of glycosides in UC and describe the possible mechanisms of action to provide a theoretical basis for preclinical studies in drug development.

Formation of a traditional Chinese medicine self-assembly nanostrategy and its application in cancer: a promising treatment

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has been used for centuries to prevent and treat a variety of illnesses, and its popularity is increasing worldwide. However, the clinical applications of natural active components in TCM are hindered by the poor solubility and low bioavailability of these compounds. To address these issues, Chinese medicine self-assembly nanostrategy (CSAN) is being developed. Many active components of TCM possess self-assembly properties, allowing them to form nanoparticles (NPs) through various noncovalent forces. Self-assembled NPs (SANs) are also present in TCM decoctions, and they are closely linked to the therapeutic effects of these remedies. SAN is gaining popularity in the nano research field due to its simplicity, eco-friendliness, and enhanced biodegradability and biocompatibility compared to traditional nano preparation methods. The self-assembly of active ingredients from TCM that exhibit antitumour effects or are combined with other antitumour drugs has generated considerable interest in the field of cancer therapeutics. This paper provides a review of the principles and forms of CSAN, as well as an overview of recent reports on TCM that can be used for self-assembly. Additionally, the application of CSAN in various cancer diseases is summarized, and finally, a concluding summary and thoughts are proposed. We strongly believe that CSAN has the potential to offer fresh strategies and perspectives for the modernization of TCM.

Protective effects of paeoniflorin on cardiovascular diseases: A pharmacological and mechanistic overview

Background and ethnopharmacological relevance: The morbidity and mortality of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are among the highest of all diseases, necessitating the search for effective drugs and the improvement of prognosis for CVD patients. Paeoniflorin (5beta-[(Benzoyloxy)methyl] tetrahydro-5-hydroxy-2-methyl-2,5-methano-1H-3,4-dioxacyclobuta [cd] pentalen-1alpha (2H)-yl-beta-D-glucopyranoside, C₂₃H₂₈O₁₁) is mostly derived from the plants of the family Paeoniaceae (a single genus family) and is known to possess multiple pharmacological properties in the treatment of CVDs, making it a promising agent for the protection of the cardiovascular system. Aim of the study: This review evaluates the pharmacological effects and potential mechanisms of paeoniflorin in the treatment of CVDs, with the aim of advancing its further development and application. Methods: Various relevant literatures were searched in PubMed, ScienceDirect, Google Scholar and Web of Science. All eligible studies were analyzed and summarized in this review. Results: Paeoniflorin is a natural drug with great potential for development, which can protect the cardiovascular system by regulating glucose and lipid metabolism, exerting anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative stress, and anti-arteriosclerotic activities, improving cardiac function, and inhibiting cardiac remodeling. However, paeoniflorin was found to have low bioavailability, and its toxicology and safety must be further studied and analyzed, and clinical studies related to it must be carried out. Conclusion: Before paeoniflorin can be used as an effective therapeutic drug for CVDs, further in-depth experimental research, clinical trials, and structural modifications or development of new preparations are required.

The macrophage polarization in inflammatory dermatosis and its potential drug candidates

Inflammatory dermatosis is characterized by persistent inflammatory infiltration and hard repair of diseased skin. As a member of the human innate immune cells, macrophages usually show different phenotypes in different diseases. The macrophage phenotype (M1/M2) imbalance caused by the increase of M1 macrophages or the decrease of M2 macrophages is common in inflammatory dermatosis. In recent years, with the deepening research on inflammatory skin diseases, more and more natural medicines/traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs), represented by Shikonin and Angelica Dahurica, have shown their therapeutic effects by affecting the polarization of macrophages. This review introduced macrophage polarization in different inflammatory dermatosis, such as psoriasis. Then summarized the natural medicines/TCMs that have potential therapeutic effects so far and introduced their mechanisms of action and the proteins/signal pathways involved. We found that the TCMs with therapeutic effects listed in this review are closely related to the theory of five flavors and four properties of Chinese medicinal, and most of them are bitter, acrid and sweet. Bitter TCMs have antipyretic, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effects, which may improve the persistent inflammation of M1 macrophage infiltration. Acrid TCMs have the effect of promoting blood circulation, while sweet TCMs have the effect of nourishing. These 2 flavors may accelerate the repair of skin lesions of inflammatory dermatosis by affecting M2 macrophages. In conclusion, we hope to provide sufficient knowledge for natural medicine research and the development of inflammatory dermatosis related to macrophage phenotype imbalance.

Paeoniflorin-6'-O-benzene sulfonate protected the intestinal epithelial barrier by restoring the inhibitory effect of GRK2 and β-arrestin 2 on ERK1/2-NF-κB

Peoniflorin-6'-O-benzene sulfonate (CP-25) inhibited the activity of GRK2 to exert anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects. This study aimed to investigate the effect of CP-25 the intestinal epithelial barrier and the mechanism. CaCO-2 cell monolayer and dextran sulfate salt (DSS)-induced colitis mouse model was used to evaluate intestinal epithelial barrier function in vitro and in vivo, respectively. Results showed that CP-25 prevented dysfunction of the intestinal epithelial barrier and inhibited NF-κB p65 activation in TNF-α-induced CaCO-2 cells. The colon structure destroyed in DSS-induced colitis mice was improved by CP-25. CP-25 has a role in inhibition membrane translocation of GRK2-β-arrestin 2 complex, stabilization of the binding of GRK2 and β-arrestin 2 to ERK1/2 in cytoplasm. Subsequently down-regulated the nuclear transcription and transactivation of NF-κB p65 via inhibiting its phosphorylation of Ser536, and Ser276, respectively and restored the epithelial barrier function. In conclusion, CP-25 inhibited ERK1/2-NF-κB activation and thereby protected the intestinal epithelial barrier, which was associated with restoring the inhibition of GRK2 and β-arrestin 2 on ERK1/2.

Paeoniflorin Inhibits LPS-Induced Activation of Splenic CD4+ T Lymphocytes and Relieves Pathological Symptoms in MRL/lpr Mice by Suppressing IRAK1 Signaling

Interleukin-1receptor-associated kinase 1 (IRAK1) plays a critical role in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). It was reported that SLE was associated with an inflammatory response mediated by defective immune tolerance, including overproduction of autoantibodies, chronic inflammation, and organ damage. Previous reports stated paeoniflorin (PF) had an immunosuppressive effect. The purpose of this study was to determine the anti-inflammatory effect of PF in SLE and its underlying mechanisms. Followed by induced with lipopolysaccharide (LPS), the splenocytes and the isolated CD4+ T lymphocytes of MRL/lpr mice were divided into three groups: control group, LPS group, and LPS + PF group, respectively. MRL/MP mice were used as the control group (treated with distilled water). The MRL/lpr mice were randomly divided into three groups: the model group (treated with distilled water), the prednisone group, and the PF group. The MRL/lpr mice were treated with prednisone acetate (5 mg/kg) and PF (25, 50, and 75 mg/kg) for eight weeks. Subsequently, ELISA, qRT-PCR, western blotting, HE, and Masson staining were performed to detect various indicators. The results of Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) showed that 10 μg/mL of LPS had the optimum effect on cell viability, and 50 μmol/L of PF had no obvious cytotoxicity to LPS-treated cells. PF reduced the expression level of IRAK1-nuclearfactor-κB (NF-κB) and its downstream inflammatory cytokines in the splenocytes and CD4+ T lymphocytes of MRL/lpr mice stimulated by LPS, especially in the latter. The serum antibody contents in the PF group mice were reduced, and the kidney damage was also alleviated accordingly. Moreover, the IRAK1/inhibitor of the nuclear factor-κB kinase (IKK)/NF-κB inhibitor (IκB)/NF-κB pathways was found to be involved in the anti-inflammation effect of PF in the kidney and spleen. In conclusion, it is thought that PF may have the potential to be used as a therapeutic agent to reduce the inflammatory activity of SLE. Inhibition of the IRAK1-NF-κB pathway may help formulate novel therapeutic tactics for SLE.

Paeoniflorin alleviates 17α-ethinylestradiol-induced cholestasis via the farnesoid X receptor-mediated bile acid homeostasis signaling pathway in rats

Cholestasis, characterized by disturbance of bile formation, is a common pathological condition that can induce several serious liver diseases. As a kind of trigger, estrogen-induced cholestasis belongs to drug-induced cholestasis. Paeoniflorin is the most abundant bioactive constituent in Paeonia lactiflora Pall., Paeonia suffruticosa Andr., or Paeonia veitchii Lynch, a widely used herbal medicine for treating hepatic disease over centuries in China. However, the pharmacologic effect and mechanism of paeoniflorin on estrogen-induced cholestasis remain unclear. In this experiment, the pharmacological effect of paeoniflorin on EE-induced cholestasis in rats was evaluated comprehensively for the first time. Ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with Q-Exactive orbitrap mass spectrometer was used to monitor the variation of bile acid levels and composition. It was demonstrated that paeoniflorin alleviated 17α-ethinylestradiol (EE)-induced cholestasis dose-dependently, characterized by a decrease of serum biochemical indexes, recovery of bile flow, amelioration of hepatic and ileal histopathology, and reduction of oxidative stress. In addition, paeoniflorin intervention restored EE-disrupted bile acid homeostasis in enterohepatic circulation. Further mechanism studies using western blot, quantitative Real-Time PCR, and immunohistochemical showed that paeoniflorin could upregulate hepatic efflux transporters expression but downregulate hepatic uptake transporter expression. Meanwhile, paeoniflorin reduced bile acids synthesis by repressing cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase in hepatocytes. Paeoniflorin affected the above transporters and enzyme via activation of a nuclear receptor, farnesoid X receptor (FXR), which was recognized as a vital regulator for maintaining bile acid homeostasis. In conclusion, paeoniflorin alleviated EE-induced cholestasis and maintained bile acid homeostasis via FXR-mediated regulation of bile acids transporters and synthesis enzyme. The findings indicated that paeoniflorin might exert a potential therapeutic medicine for estrogen-induced cholestasis.

Dan Bai Xiao Formula combined with glucocorticoids and cyclophosphamide for pediatric lupus nephritis: A pilot prospective study

BACKGROUND

Patients with lupus nephritis (LN) typically undergo long-term treatment with glucocorticoids (GCs) and immunosuppressants. There is a growing demand for optimal therapy with better remission results and fewer side effects. Sustained traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) might be quite valuable for multitarget therapy, reducing the total dosage of GCs and minimizing the side effects of immunosuppressants.

AIM

To evaluate whether Dan Bai Xiao Formula (DBXF) can reduce the exposure to GCs and cyclophosphamide (CYC) and to assess the efficacy and safety of DBXF for the resolution of proteinuria and hematuria in children with LN.

METHODS

A 24-wk pilot study was conducted at Beijing Children’s Hospital. Children with active LN were divided into either a TCM group or a control group. Children in the TCM group received DBXF combined with GCs and CYC, and the ones in the control group received GCs and CYC every 4 wk for 24 wk. The primary endpoints of this trial were urinary protein excretion of < 150 mg/d and normal serum albumin concentration and renal function.

RESULTS

The trial included 78 children, of whom 38 received GCs and CYC treatment (control group) and the remaining 40 received DBXF combined with GCs and CYC treatment (TCM group). At week 24, the TCM group showed a better rate of complete remission (42.5%); however, there was no significant difference compared with the control group (31.5%, P > 0.05). The urine red blood cell count and urine protein level were significantly lower in the TCM group than in the control group at weeks 4, 12, and 24 (P < 0.05). Furthermore, patients in the TCM group had a lower proportion of methylprednisolone pulses than those in the control group (1.30 ± 1.41 vs 3.05 ± 2.02, P < 0.0001). The ending GC dose was significantly lower in the TCM group than in the control group (P < 0.001). Moreover, more hepatic function damage, gastrointestinal adverse effects, and hypertension were observed in the control group than in the TCM group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

The findings suggest that DBXF treatment is effective and safe as a supplementary therapy for LN and is superior to routine GC and CYC therapy. DBXF containing combination treatment possibly results in a faster resolution of proteinuria and hematuria, smoother GC reduction, fewer methylprednisolone pulses, and fewer adverse events.

Paeoniflorin Ameliorates BiPN by Reducing IL6 Levels and Regulating PARKIN-Mediated Mitochondrial Autophagy

Background

Bortezomib-induced peripheral neuropathy (BiPN) is a common complication of multiple myeloma (MM) treatment that seriously affects the quality of life of patients. The purpose of the present study was to explore the therapeutic effect of paeoniflorin on BiPN and its possible mechanism.

Methods

ELISA was used to measure the level of interleukin-6 (IL6) in the plasma of MM patients, and bioinformatics analysis was used to predict the mechanism underlying the effect of paeoniflorin on peripheral neuropathy. Cell and animal models of BiPN were constructed to evaluate mitochondrial function by measuring cell viability and mitochondrial quality and labeling mitochondria with MitoTracker Green. Nerve injury in mice with BiPN was assessed by behavioral tests, evaluation of motor nerve conduction velocity, hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining, electron microscopy and analysis of the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Western blotting and immunohistochemistry (IHC) were used to assess the expression of autophagy-related proteins.

Results

In MM patients, IL6 levels were positively correlated with the degree of PN. The results of bioinformatics analysis suggested that paeoniflorin ameliorated PN by altering inflammation levels and mitochondrial autophagy. Paeoniflorin increased PC12 cell viability and mitochondrial autophagy levels, alleviated mitochondrial damage, and reduced IL6 levels. In addition, paeoniflorin effectively improved the behavior of mice with BiPN, relieved sciatic nerve injury in mice, increased the expression of LC3II/I, beclin-1, and Parkin in sciatic nerve cells, and increased the expression of LC3B and Parkin in the nerve tissue.

Conclusion

The present study confirmed that paeoniflorin significantly ameliorated peripheral neuropathy (PN) caused by bortezomib, possibly by reducing IL6 levels to regulate PARKIN-mediated mitochondrial autophagy and mitochondrial damage.

LC-ESI-QTOF-MS/MS Characterization and Estimation of the Antioxidant Potential of Phenolic Compounds from Different Parts of the Lotus (Nelumbo nucifera) Seed and Rhizome

Edible lotus (Nelumbo nucifera G.) is widely consumed in Asian countries and treated as a functional food and traditional medicinal herb due to its abundant bioactive compounds. Lotus rhizome peels, rhizome knots, and seed embryos are important byproducts and processing waste of edible lotus (Nelumbo nucifera G.) with commercial significance. Nevertheless, the comprehensive phenolic profiling of different parts of lotus is still scarce. Thus, this study aimed to review the phenolic contents and antioxidant potential in lotus seeds (embryo and cotyledon) and rhizomes (peel, knot, and pulp) grown in Australia. In the phenolic content and antioxidant potential estimation assays by comparing to the corresponding reference standards, the lotus seed embryo exhibited the highest total phenolic content (10.77 ± 0.66 mg GAE/g_f.w.), total flavonoid content (1.61 ± 0.03 mg QE/g_f.w.), 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging activity (9.66 ± 0.10 mg AAE/g_f.w.), 2,2-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) scavenging activity (14.35 ± 0.20 mg AAE/g_f.w.), and total antioxidant capacity (6.46 ± 0.30 mg AAE/g), while the highest value of ferric ion reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) activity and total tannin content was present in the lotus rhizome knot (2.30 ± 0.13 mg AAE/g_f.w.). A total of 86 phenolic compounds were identified in five parts of lotus by liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-QTOF-MS/MS), including phenolic acids (20), flavonoids (51), lignans (3), stilbenes (2), and other polyphenols (10). The most phenolic compounds, reaching up to 68%, were present in the lotus seed embryo (59). Furthermore, the lotus rhizome peel and lotus seed embryo exhibit significantly higher contents of selected polyphenols than other lotus parts according to high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) quantification analysis. The results highlighted that byproducts and processing waste of edible lotus are rich sources of phenolic compounds, which may be good candidates for further exploitation and utilization in food, animal feeding, and pharmaceutical industries.

Development of Mini-Barcode Based on Chloroplast Genome and Its Application in Metabarcoding Molecular Identification of Chinese Medicinal Material Radix Paeoniae Rubra (Chishao)

Radix Paeoniae Rubra (Chishao), a typical multi-origin Chinese medicinal material, originates from the dried roots of Paeonia lactiflora or P. veitchii. The previous study suggested that these two commonly used Chishao showed variation in their chemical compositions and clinical efficacies. Therefore, accurate identification of different Chishao species was of great significance for the guide of clinical medication, and timely treatment of patients. In this study, the chloroplast genome sequences of P. lactiflora and P. veitchii were obtained by next-generation sequencing (NGS) technology, and then the hypervariable regions were selected to design two mini-barcode candidates for species identification. Combined with DNA metabarcoding technology, we performed qualitative and quantitative analysis on the artificially mixed samples of P. lactiflora and P. veitchii and evaluated the identification ability of these mini-barcode candidates. Furtherly, the mini-barcode with good performance was applied to distinguish the Chinese patent medicine "cerebral thrombosis tablets" containing Chishao. The results indicated that the chloroplast genomes of P. lactiflora and P. veitchii were 152,750 and 152,527 bp, respectively. As published previously, they exhibited a typical quadripartite structure including a large single-copy region (LSC), a small single-copy region (SSC) and a pair of inverted repeat regions (IRs). The nucleotide polymorphism analysis revealed seven variable protein-coding regions as petL, psaI, psbJ, rpl16, ycf1b, psaC, and ndhF, and two mini-barcodes were developed from ycf1b and ndhF respectively. The result suggested that both two mini-barcodes performed well distinguishing P. lactiflora from P. veitchii. Besides, P. lactiflora was the only raw material of Chishao in all collected "cerebral thrombosis tablets" samples. In general, this study has established a method to realize the qualitative and quantitative identification of Chishao as multi-origin Chinese medicinal materials, which can be applied to Chinese patent medicines containing Chishao.

Nature against Diabetic Retinopathy: A Review on Antiangiogenic, Antioxidant, and Anti-Inflammatory Phytochemicals

Background and Purpose. Diabetes mellitus (DM), hyperglycemia, and hypertension can result in diabetic retinopathy (DR), which is a major cause of blindness on a global scale. Development of DR is associated with decreased endothelial cells, increased basal membrane thickness, permeation of the retinal blood barrier, and neovascularization in patients. The purpose of the present review is to provide an overview of the findings regarding applications of phytochemicals for DR treatment and could be a beneficial resource for further clinical studies and also a basis for pharmaceutical purposes for drug design. Materials and Methods. A narrative literature review was performed from electronic databases including Web of Science, PubMed, and Scopus to analyze the effects of different phytochemicals to prevent or treat oxidation, angiogenesis, and inflammation in diabetic retinopathy. The inclusion criteria were original studies, which included the effects of different phytochemicals on diabetic retinopathy. The exclusion criteria included studies other than original articles, studies which assessed the effects of phytochemicals on nondiabetic retinopathy, and studies which used phytochemical-rich extracts. Results and Conclusions. Studies have shown that increased levels of inflammatory cytokines, angiogenic, and oxidative stress factors are involved in the progression and pathogenesis of DR. Therefore, phytochemicals with their anti-inflammatory, antiangiogenic, and antioxidant properties can prevent DR progression and retinal damage through various cellular mechanisms. It is also shown that some phytochemicals can simultaneously affect the inflammation, oxidation, and angiogenesis in DR.

Paeoniflorin ameliorates airway inflammation and immune response in ovalbumin induced asthmatic mice: From oxidative stress to autophagy

BACKGROUND

Asthma characterized by airway remodeling is a multiple pulmonary disease, which is associated with various physiological processes including inflammation reaction, immune response, oxidative stress and autophagy.

PURPOSE

This study aimed to investigate whether these processes are modulated by the total glucosides of Paeonia lactiflora Pall (TGP), and its active compound paeoniflorin (PF) with anti-inflammatory and immune-regulatory effects could alleviate ovalbumin (OVA)-induced mouse asthma.

METHODS

In vivo, models of mouse asthma were established by intraperitoneally with a mixture of OVA and aluminum hydroxide, plus a single nasal injected with OVA to female C57BL/6 mice. The results were observed with PET imaging, TEM, RT-PCR, western blotting. In vitro, CD4⁺ T cells were isolated and detected with flow cytometry.

RESULTS

TGP, either in its crude or processed form, and PF effectively ameliorated lung injury in mice induced by OVA, regulated immune/inflammatory response by inhibiting the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines, thereby decreasing Th2 cell proportion, inhibited oxidative stress by recovering mitochondrial membrane potential and regulating metabolic activity in dose-dependent manner. Moreover, PF could inhibit autophagy by regulating mitochondrial function. In addition, the therapeutic effects of TGP and PF on pulmonary injury in asthmatic mice were not affected by processing.

CONCLUSION

PF may be a valuable agent in ameliorating inflammation and immune response in asthmatic mice, and the possible mechanism involved in this response rang may from oxidative stress to autophagy.

Combination of ShuangDan Capsule and Sorafenib Inhibits Tumor Growth and Angiogenesis in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Via PI3K/Akt/mTORC1 Pathway

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a high mortality liver cancer. The existing treatments (transplantation, chemotherapy, and individualized treatment) with limitations. However, drug combination provides a viable option for hepatocellular carcinoma treatment. A Chinese patent medicine, ShuangDan Capsules (SDC), has been clinically prescribed to hepatocellular carcinoma patients as adjuvant therapy and has shown good antitumor activity. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether SDC could improve the anti-cancer effect and mitigate adverse reactions of sorafenib on HCC in vivo. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), immunohistochemistry, and western blot were executed to reveal the potential mechanisms of the combination of SDC and sorafenib on HCC. Tumors appeared hyperintense on T2 sequence images relative to the adjacent normal liver in MRI. Combination of SDC and sorafenib inhibited the progression of DEN (Diethylnitrosamine)-induced HCC. In the HepG2 xenografts model, sorafenib plus SDC exhibited greater suppression on tumor growth than individual treatment accompanied with decreased expression of VEGF, VEGFA, Ki67, CD31 and increased expression of caspase-3. Furthermore, PI3K/Akt/mTORC1 pathway was inhibited by co-administration. Sorafenib monotherapy elicited hepatotoxicity for specific expression in the up-regulated level of aspartate transaminase (AST) and AST/glutamic-pyruvic transaminase (ALT) ratio, but the co-administration could remedy this adverse effect. These dates indicated that the combination of SDC and sorafenib might offer a potential therapy for HCC.

Evaluations and Mechanistic Interrogation of Natural Products Isolated From Paeonia suffruticosa for the Treatment of Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Mu Dan Pi (MDP), a traditional Chinese medicine derived from the root bark of Paeonia suffruticosa Andrews, is used to treat autoimmune diseases due to its anti-inflammatory properties. However, the impact of MDP on inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and its principal active compounds that contribute to the anti-inflammatory properties are uncertain. Thus, this study systemically evaluated the anti-inflammatory effects of fractionated MDP, which has therapeutic potential for IBD. MDP fractions were prepared by multistep fractionation, among which the ethyl acetate-fraction MDP5 exhibited the highest potency, with anti-inflammatory activity screened by the Toll-like receptor (TLR)-2 agonist, Pam3CSK4, in a cell-based model. MDP5 (at 50 μg/ml, p < 0.001) significantly inhibited nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) reporters triggered by Pam3CSK4, without significant cell toxicity. Moreover, MDP5 (at 10 μg/ml) alleviated proinflammatory signaling triggered by Pam3CSK4 in a dose-dependent manner and reduced downstream IL-6 and TNF-α production (p < 0.001) in primary macrophages. MDP5 also mitigated weight loss, clinical inflammation, colonic infiltration of immune cells and cytokine production in a murine colitis model. Index compounds including paeoniflorin derivatives (ranging from 0.1 to 3.4%), gallic acid (1.8%), and 1,2,3,4,6-penta-O-galloyl-β-D-glucose (1.1%) in MDP5 fractions were identified by LC-MS/MS and could be used as anti-inflammatory markers for MDP preparation. Collectively, these data suggest that MDP5 is a promising treatment for IBD patients.

Paeoniflorin alleviates CFA-induced inflammatory pain by inhibiting TRPV1 and succinate/SUCNR1-HIF-1α/NLPR3 pathway

BACKGROUND

Treatment of chronic inflammatory pain remains a major goal in the clinic. It is thus of prime importance to characterize inherent pathophysiological pathways to design new therapeutic strategies and analgesics for pain management. Paeoniflorin (PF), a monoterpenoid glycoside from Paeonia lactiflora Pallas plants, possesses promising anti-nociceptive property. However, therapeutic effect and underlying mechanism of action of PF on inflammatory pain have not yet been fully elucidated. In this study, we aim to investigate the analgesic effect further and clarify its mechanism of action of PF on complete freund's adjuvant (CFA)-evoked inflammatory pain.

METHODS

Twenty-four male mice were divided into 3 groups: sham, CFA, and CFA + PF groups (n = 8/group). Mice were treated with normal saline or PF (30 mg/kg) for 11 days. Footpad swelling (n = 8/group), mechanical (n = 8/group) and thermal hypersensitivity (n = 8/group) were measured to evaluate the analgesic effect of PF on CFA-injected mice. At the end of the animal experiment, blood and L4-L6 dorsal root ganglion neurons were collected to assess the therapeutic effect of PF on CFA-induced inflammatory pain. Next, hematoxylin and eosin, quantitative realtime PCR, ELISA, capsaicin and dimethyl succinate induced pain test (n = 8/group), motor coordination test (n = 8/group), tail flicking test (n = 8/group), pyruvate and succinate dehydrogenase assay (n = 6/group), immunohistochemical staining, were performed to clarify the action mechanism of PF on CFA-evoked inflammatory pain. Besides, the effect of PF on TRPV1 was evaluated by whole-cell patch clamp recording on primary neurons (n = 7). Finally, molecular docking further performed to evaluate the binding ability of PF to TRPV1.

RESULTS

PF significantly relieved inflammatory pain (P < 0.001) and paw edema (P < 0.001) on a complete Freund adjuvant (CFA)-induced peripheral inflammatory pain model. Furthermore, PF inhibited neutrophil infiltration (P < 0.01), IL-1β increase (P < 0.01), and pain-related peptide substance P release (P < 0.001). Intriguingly, CFA-induced succinate aggregation was notably reversed by PF via modulating pyruvate and SDH activity (P < 0.01). In addition, PF dampened the high expression of subsequent succinate receptor SUCNR1 (P < 0.01), HIF-1α (P < 0.05), as well as the activation of NLPR3 inflammasome (P < 0.05) and TRPV1 (P < 0.05). More importantly, both capsaicin and dimethyl succinate supplementation obviously counteracted the pain-relieving effect of PF and TRPV1 (P < 0.01 or P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Our findings suggest that PF can significantly relieve CFA-induced paw swelling, as well as mechanical and thermal hyperalgesia. PF alleviated inflammatory pain partly through inhibiting the activation of TRPV1 and succinate/SUCNR1-HIF-1α/NLPR3 pathway. Furthermore, we found that PF exerted its analgesic effect without affecting motor coordination and pain-related cold ion-channels. In summary, this study may provide valuable evidence for the potential application of PF as therapeutic strategy for inflammatory pain treatment.

Paeoniflorin Suppresses TBHP-Induced Oxidative Stress and Apoptosis in Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells via the Nrf2/HO-1 Signaling Pathway and Improves Skin Flap Survival

Random-pattern skin flap is a vital technique frequently applied in reconstruction surgeries for its convenience and effectiveness in solving skin defects. However, ischemic necrosis, especially in the distal areas of the flap, still needs extra attention after surgery. Earlier evidence has suggested that paeoniflorin (PF) could stimulate angiogenesis and suppress ischemic cardiovascular disease. However, few studies have focused on the role of PF in flap survival. In this study, we have demonstrated that the human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) treated with PF can alleviate tert-butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP)-stimulated cellular dysfunction and apoptosis. To better evaluate, HUVECs' physiology, cell tube formation, migration, and adhesion were assessed. Mechanistically, PF protects HUVECs against apoptosis via stimulating the nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (Nrf2)/heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1) pathway. PF also downregulates mitochondrial ROS production to reduce excessive intracellular ROS production induced by TBHP and restore TBHP-induced mitochondrial depolarization. As a result, silencing Nrf2 partially abolishes the protective effect of PF exposure on HUVECs. In in vivo experiments, the oral administration of PF was shown to have enhanced the vascularization of regenerated tissues and promote flap survival. However, the PF-mediated protection was partially lost after co-treatment with ML385, a selective Nrf2 inhibitor, suggesting that PF is a crucial modulator regulating the Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway. In summary, our data have provided a new insight into PF as a potential therapy for enhancing random-pattern flap viability.

Mechanism of Paeoniflorin on ANIT-Induced Cholestatic Liver Injury Using Integrated Metabolomics and Network Pharmacology

Background: Paeoniflorin (PF), the major active compound isolated from the roots of Paeonia lactiflora Pall., has been used in the treatment of severe hepatic diseases for several decades and displays bright prospects in liver protective effect. However, its biological mechanism that regulates bile acid metabolism and cholestatic liver injury has not been fully elucidated. Our study aims to investigate the mechanism by which PF in the treatment of cholestatic liver injury using a comprehensive approach combining metabolomics and network pharmacological analysis.

Methods: The hepatoprotective effect of PF against cholestasis liver injury, induced by α-naphthylisothiocyanate (ANIT), was evaluated in rats. The serum biochemical indices including ALT, AST, TBA, TBIL, ALP, ALB, and the pathological characteristics of the liver were analyzed. Moreover, UHPLC-Q-TOF was performed to explore the feces of rats with ANIT-induced cholestatic liver injury treated with PF and the potential biomarkers were screened by metabolomics. The targets for the regulation of potential biomarkers by PF were screened by network pharmacology, and then the relevant key targets were verified by immunohistochemical and western blotting methods.

Results: PF significantly improved serum indexes and alleviated liver histological damage. Metabolomics analyses showed that the therapeutic effect of PF is mainly associated with the regulation of 13 metabolites involved in 16 metabolic pathways. The “PF-targets-metabolites” interaction network was constructed, and then five key targets including CDC25B, CYP2C9, MAOB, mTOR, and ABCB1 that regulated the potential biomarkers were obtained. The above five targets were further verified by immunohistochemistry and western blotting, and the results showed that PF significantly improved the expression of key proteins regulating these biomarkers.

Conclusion: Our study provides direct evidence for the modulatory properties of PF treatment on ANIT-induced cholestatic liver injury using metabolomics and network pharmacology analyses. PF exhibits favorable pharmacological effect by regulating related signal pathways and key targets for biomarkers. Therefore, these findings may help better understand the complex mechanisms and provide a new and effective approach to the treatment of cholestatic liver injury.

Comprehensive metabolite profile of multi-bioactive extract from tree peony (Paeonia ostii and Paeonia rockii) fruits based on MS/MS molecular networking

Tree peony seed, traditionally used for edible oil production, is rich in α-linolenic acid. However, little attention is given to the fruit by-products during seed oil production. The present work aimed to comprehensively investigate the phytochemical constituents and multiple biological activities of different parts of tree peony fruits harvested from Paeonia ostii and Paeonia rockii. 130 metabolites were rapidly identified through UPLC-Triple-TOF-MS on the basis of MS/MS molecular networking. Metabolite quantification was performed through the targeted approach of HPLC-ESI-QQQ-MS. Eight chemical markers were screened via principal component analysis (PCA) for distinguishing species and tissues. Interestingly, two dominant compounds, paeoniflorin and trans-resveratrol, are specially localized in seed kernel and seed coat, respectively. Unexpectedly, the extracts of fruit pod and seed coat showed significantly stronger antioxidant, antibacterial, and anti-neuroinflammatory activities than seed kernel from both P. ostii and P. rockii. Our work demonstrated that tree peony fruit is promising natural source of bioactive components and provided its potential utilization in food and pharmaceutical industries.

Emodin Alleviates Intestinal Barrier Dysfunction by Inhibiting Apoptosis and Regulating the Immune Response in Severe Acute Pancreatitis

OBJECTIVE

The intestinal barrier injury caused by severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) can induce enterogenous infection, further aggravating the inflammatory reactions and immune responses. This study aimed to test the hypothesis that emodin protects the intestinal function and is involved in the immune response in SAP.

METHODS

The network pharmacology was established using the Swiss target prediction and pathway enrichment analysis. The SAP mice model was induced by cerulein (50 μg/kg) and lipopolysaccharide (10 mg/kg) hyperstimulation. The pharmacological effect of emodin in treating SAP was evaluated at mRNA and protein levels by various methods.

RESULTS

The network analysis provided the connectivity between the targets of emodin and the intestinal barrier-associated proteins and predicted the BAX/Bcl-2/caspase 3 signaling pathway. Emodin alleviated the pathological damages to the pancreas and intestine and reduced the high concentrations of serum amylase and cytokines in vivo. Emodin increased the expression of intestinal barrier-related proteins and reversed the changes in the apoptosis-related proteins in the intestine. Simultaneously, emodin regulated the ratio of T helper type 1 (TH1), TH2, TH17, γδ T cells, and interferon γ/interleukin 17 producing γδ T cells.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings partly verified the mechanism underlying the regulation of the intestinal barrier and immune response by emodin.

Potential Regulatory Roles of GRK2 in Endothelial Cell Activity and Pathological Angiogenesis

G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) kinase 2 (GRK2) is an integrative node in many signaling network cascades. Emerging evidence indicates that GRK2 can interact with a large number of GPCRs and non-GPCR substrates in both kinase-dependent and -independent modes. Some of these pathways are associated with endothelial cell (EC) activity. The active state of ECs is a pivotal factor in angiogenesis. The occurrence and development of some inflammation-related diseases are accompanied by pathological angiogenesis, but there remains a lack of effective targeted treatments. Alterations in the expression and/or localization of GRK2 have been identified in several types of diseases and have been demonstrated to regulate the angiogenesis process in these diseases. GRK2 as a target may be a promising candidate for anti-angiogenesis therapy.

Monoterpenes and their derivatives as agents for cardiovascular disease management: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Monoterpenes are one of the most studied plant's secondary metabolites, they are found abundantly in essential oils of aromatic plants. They also have a great range of pharmacological properties, such as antihypertensive, bradycardic, antiarrhythmic and hypotensive. In the face of the burden caused by cardiovascular disease (CVDs) worldwide, studies using monoterpenes to assess their cardiovascular effects have increased over the years.

PURPOSE

This systematic review aimed to summarize the use of monoterpenes in animal models of any CVDs.

METHODS

PubMed, SCOPUS, LILACS and Web of Science databases were used to search for articles that used monoterpenes, in any type of administration, to treat or prevent CVDs in animal models. The PRISMA guidelines were followed. Two independent researchers extracted main characteristics of studies, methods and outcomes. Data obtained were analyzed qualitatively and quantitatively.

RESULTS

At the ending of the search process, 33 articles were selected for the systematic review. Of these, 17 articles were included in the meta-analysis. A total of 16 different monoterpenes were found for the treatment of hypertension, myocardial infarction, pulmonary hypertension, cardiac hypertrophy and arrhythmia. The main actions include hypotension, bradycardia, vasodilatation, antiarrhythmic, and antioxidant and antiapoptotic properties. From our data, it can be suggested that monoterpenes may be a significant source for new drug development. However, there is still a need to apply these knowledge into clinical research and a long path to pursue before putting them in the market.

CONCLUSION

The variability of cardiovascular effects demonstrated by the monoterpenes highlighted them as a promising candidates for treatment or prevention of CVDs. Nevertheless, studies that investigate their biological sites of action needs to be further encouraged.

Notch Signalling in Breast Development and Cancer

The Notch signalling pathway is a highly conserved developmental signalling pathway, with vital roles in determining cell fate during embryonic development and tissue homeostasis. Aberrant Notch signalling has been implicated in many disease pathologies, including cancer. In this review, we will outline the mechanism and regulation of the Notch signalling pathway. We will also outline the role Notch signalling plays in normal mammary gland development and how Notch signalling is implicated in breast cancer tumorigenesis and progression. We will cover how Notch signalling controls several different hallmarks of cancer within epithelial cells with sections focussed on its roles in proliferation, apoptosis, invasion, and metastasis. We will provide evidence for Notch signalling in the breast cancer stem cell phenotype, which also has implications for therapy resistance and disease relapse in breast cancer patients. Finally, we will summarise the developments in therapeutic targeting of Notch signalling, and the pros and cons of this approach for the treatment of breast cancer.

Role of Plant-Derived Natural Compounds in Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis: A Review of the Treatment Potential and Development Strategy

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease of the central nervous system that is mainly mediated by pathological T-cells. Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) is a well-known animal model of MS that is used to study the underlying mechanism and offers a theoretical basis for developing a novel therapy for MS. Good therapeutic effects have been observed after the administration of natural compounds and their derivatives as treatments for EAE. However, there has been a severe lag in the research and development of drug mechanisms related to MS. This review examines natural products that have the potential to effectively treat MS. The relevant data were consulted in order to elucidate the regulated mechanisms acting upon EAE by the flavonoids, glycosides, and triterpenoids derived from natural products. In addition, novel technologies such as network pharmacology, molecular docking, and high-throughput screening have been gradually applied in natural product development. The information provided herein can help improve targeting and timeliness for determining the specific mechanisms involved in natural medicine treatment and lay a foundation for further study.

Recent Insights Into the Protective Mechanisms of Paeoniflorin in Neurological, Cardiovascular, and Renal Diseases

ABSTRACT

The monoterpene glycoside paeoniflorin (PF) is the principal active constituent of the traditional Chinese herbal medicines, Radix Paeoniae Alba and Radix Paeoniae Rubra, which have been used for millennia to treat cardiovascular diseases (eg, hypertension, bleeding, and atherosclerosis) and neurological ailments (eg, headaches, vertigo, dementia, and pain). Recent evidence has revealed that PF exerts inhibitory effects on inflammation, fibrosis, and apoptosis by targeting several intracellular signaling cascades. In this review, we address the current knowledge about the pharmacokinetic properties of PF and its molecular mechanisms of action. We also present results from recent preclinical studies supporting the utility of PF for the treatment of pain, cerebral ischemic injury, and neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. Moreover, new evidence suggests a general protective role of PF in heart attack, diabetic kidney, and atherosclerosis. Mechanistically, PF exerts multiple anti-inflammatory actions by targeting toll-like receptor-mediated signaling in both parenchymal and immune cells (in particular, macrophages and dendritic cells). A better understanding of the molecular actions of PF may lead to the expansion of its therapeutic uses.

Total Glucosides of Paeony Inhibited Autophagy and Improved Acute Kidney Injury Induced by Ischemia-Reperfusion via the lncRNA TUG1/miR-29a/PTEN Axis

Objective

Total glucosides of paeony (TGP) has been proven to affect anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory and hypoxia tolerance. This study investigates the effect of TGP on autophagy in acute kidney injury (AKI) induced by ischemia-reperfusion (I/R).

Methods

Rat model of AKI induced by I/R was established. Rats were administered with TGP at different doses by oral gavage. The contents of BUN, creatinine, NGAL, Kim-1 and IL-18 were detected. The levels of inflammatory factors (TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6) and autophagy were measured. The expressions of lncRNA TUG1, miR-29a and PTEN were detected and their binding relationships were verified. I/R rat model with overexpressed TUG1 was established to explore the effect of TGP on kidney injury and autophagy. The hypoxia/reoxygenation (HR) model of HK-2 cells and the HR model of HK-2 cells overexpressing TUG1 and low-expressing PTEN were established.

Results

TGP decreased the contents of BUN, creatinine, NGAL, Kim-1 and IL-18, and reduced the levels of inflammatory factors. LncRNA TUG1 and PTEN were downregulated, and miR-29a was upregulated in kidney tissues. The binding relationships between lncRNA TUG1 and miR-29a, and miR-29a and PTEN were confirmed. TGP suppressed PTEN expression via the lncRNA TUG1/miR-29a axis. Overexpressing lncRNA TUG1 attenuated the protective effect of TGP on AKI and autophagy in HK-2 cells. TGP improved cell viability and inhibited the autophagy in HR model of HK-2 cells via lncRNA TUG1/miR-29a/PTEN axis.

Conclusion

TGP inhibited autophagy and improved AKI induced by I/R via the lncRNA TUG1/miR-29a/PTEN axis.

Genus Paeonia: A comprehensive review on traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacological activities, clinical application, and toxicology

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Paeonia, which comprises approximately 52 shrubs or herbaceous perennials around the world, is the only genus of the Paeoniaceae and is pervasively distributed in Asia, southern Europe, and North America. Many species of the genus Paeonia have been used for centuries in ethnomedical medical systems.

AIM OF THE REVIEW

The present study aims to summarize the traditional uses, clinical applications, and toxicology of the genus Paeonia, to critically evaluate the state-of-the-art phytochemical and pharmacological studies of this genus published between 2011 and 2020, and to suggest directions for further in-depth research on Paeonia medicinal resources.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Popular and widely used databases such as PubMed, Scopus, Science Direct, and Google Scholar were searched using the various search strings; from these searches, a number of citations related to the traditional uses, phytochemistry, biological activities, clinical application, and toxicology of the genus Paeonia were retrieved.

RESULTS

The use of 21 species, 2 subspecies, and 7 varieties of the genus Paeonia as traditional herbal remedies has been reported, and many ethnomedicinal uses, such as the treatment of hematemesis, blood stasis, dysmenorrhea, amenorrhea, epilepsy, spasms, and gastritis, have been recorded. The roots and root bark are the most frequently reported parts of the plants used in medicinal applications. In phytochemical investigations, 451 compounds have been isolated from Paeonia plants to date, which contains monoterpenoid glucosides, flavonoids, tannins, stilbenes, triterpenoids and steroids, and phenols. Studies of their pharmacological activities have revealed the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antitumour, antibacterial, antiviral, cardiovascular protective, and neuroprotective properties of the genus Paeonia. In particular, some bioactive extracts and compounds (total glucosides of peony (TGP), paeonol, and paeoniflorin) have been used as therapeutic drugs or tested in clinical trials. In addition to the "incompatibility" of the combined use of "shaoyao" and Veratrum nigrum L. roots in traditional Chinese medicine theory, Paeonia was considered to have no obvious toxicity based on the available toxicological tests.

CONCLUSION

A large number of phytochemical and pharmacological reports have indicated that Paeonia is an important medicinal herb resource, and some of its traditional uses including the treatment of inflammation and cardiovascular diseases and its use as a neuroprotective agent, have been partially confirmed through modern pharmacological studies. Monoterpenoid glucosides are the main active constituents. Although many compounds have been isolated from Paeonia plants, the biological activities of only a few of these compounds (paeoniflorin, paeonol, and TGP) have been extensively investigated. Some paeoniflorin structural analogues and resveratrol oligomers have been preliminarily studied. With the exception of several species (P. suffruticosa, P. ostii, P. lactiflora, and P. emodi) that are commonly used in folk medicine, many medicinal species within the genus do not receive adequate attention. Conducting phytochemical and pharmacological experiments on these species can provide new clues that may lead to the discovery of medicinal resources. It is necessary to identify the effective phytoconstituents of crude extracts of Paeonia that displayed pharmacological activities by bioactivity-guided isolation. In addition, comprehensive plant quality control, and toxicology and pharmacokinetic studies are needed in the future studies.

Anti-Lung Cancer Targets of Radix Paeoniae Rubra and Biological Molecular Mechanism: Network Pharmacological Analyses and Experimental Validation

Objective

To systematically explore the pharmacological mechanism of Radix Paeoniae Rubra (RPR) against lung cancer (LC).

Methods

A network pharmacology approach, which involves active ingredients and target forecast, network construction, gene ontology and pathway enrichment, was employed in this research. In addition, the effect of Baicalein (BAI) in RPR on A549 cells was researched in vitro and in vivo.

Results

A total of 159 targets of the 29 active components in RPR were procured by pharmacokinetic parameters. The network analysis showed that β-sitosterol, baicalein, (+)-catechin, ellagic acid, stigmasterol, (2R, 3R)-4-methoxyl-distylin were the main ingredients and JUN, VEGFA, BCL2 were the hub targets of RPR in the treatment of LC. The functional enrichment analysis showed that RPR likely was useful to LC by regulating numerous pathways including Pathways in cancer, MAPK signaling pathway and so on. MTT results showed that 100μM, 200μM, 400μM of BAI had a time and dose-dependent inhibitory effect on A549 cells proliferation; Wound healing and transwell assays showed that 100μM, 200μM, 400μM of BAI could significantly restrain the migration and invasion of A549 cells; Flow cytometry assay results showed that 100μM, 200μM, 400μM of BAI could induce apoptosis of A549 cells. In vivo, BAI (50, 100 mg/kg) significantly inhibited tumor growth and promoted apoptosis of tumor cells compared with the control group.

Conclusion

BAI in RPR may exert anti-tumor effects by inhibiting the proliferation, migration and invasion of LC cells, and inducing the apoptosis of LC cells.

Remedia Sternutatoria over the Centuries: TRP Mediation

Sneezing (sternutatio) is a poorly understood polysynaptic physiologic reflex phenomenon. Sneezing has exerted a strange fascination on humans throughout history, and induced sneezing was widely used by physicians for therapeutic purposes, on the assumption that sneezing eliminates noxious factors from the body, mainly from the head. The present contribution examines the various mixtures used for inducing sneezes (remedia sternutatoria) over the centuries. The majority of the constituents of the sneeze-inducing remedies are modulators of transient receptor potential (TRP) channels. The TRP channel superfamily consists of large heterogeneous groups of channels that play numerous physiological roles such as thermosensation, chemosensation, osmosensation and mechanosensation. Sneezing is associated with the activation of the wasabi receptor, (TRPA1), typical ligand is allyl isothiocyanate and the hot chili pepper receptor, (TRPV1), typical agonist is capsaicin, in the vagal sensory nerve terminals, activated by noxious stimulants.

Paeoniflorin ameliorates murine lupus nephritis by increasing CD4+Foxp3+ Treg cells via enhancing mTNFα-TNFR2 pathway

Treg cells are essential for re-establishing self-tolerance in lupus. However, given that direct Treg therapies may be inadequate to control autoimmunity and inflammation, a strategy of inducing or expanding endogenous Treg cells in vivo may be a good option. Macrophages are main tissue-infiltrating cells and play a role in promoting Treg differentiation while paeoniflorin (PF), a monoterpene glycoside, exhibits anti-inflammatory and immunoregulatory effects. Here, we studied the effects of PF on CD4⁺FoxP3⁺ Treg frequency and the potential mechanisms involving M2 macrophages. We demonstrated that PF ameliorated lupus nephritis in lupus-prone B6/gld mice by reducing urinary protein, serum creatinine and anti-dsDNA levels, diminishing renal cellular infiltration, improving renal immunopathology and downregulating renal gene and protein expressions of key cytokines, including IFN-γ, IL-6, IL-12 and IL-23. PF also lowered the percentage of CD44^highCD62L^low effector T cells while augmenting CD4⁺FoxP3⁺ Treg frequency in B6/gld mice. Importantly, PF increased TNFR2 expression on CD4⁺FoxP3⁺ Tregs, but not CD4⁺FoxP3^- T cells, in vivo and in vitro. Furthermore, we found that CD206⁺ subset of F4/80⁺CD11b⁺ macrophages expressed a higher level of mTNF-α than their CD206^- counterparts while PF increased mTNF-α expression on CD206⁺ macrophages in vitro and in vivo. In vitro studies showed that mTNF-α⁺ M2 macrophages were more potent in inducing Treg differentiation and proliferation than their mTNF-α^- counterparts, whereas the effects of mTNF-α⁺ M2 macrophages were largely reversed by separation of M2 macrophages using a transwell or TNFR2-blocking Ab in the culture. Finally, PF also promoted in vitro Treg generation induced by M2 macrophages. Thus, we demonstrated that mTNFα-TNFR2 interaction is a new mechanism responsible for Treg differentiation mediated by M2 macrophages. We provided the first evidence that PF may be used to treat lupus nephritis.

Effect of Jakyakgamcho-Tang Extracts on H2O2-Induced C2C12 Myoblasts

Oxidative stress is a major contributor to muscle aging and loss of muscle tissue. Jakyakgamcho-tang (JGT) has been used in traditional Eastern medicine to treat muscle pain. Here, we compared the total phenolic and flavonoid contents in 30% ethanol and water extracts of JGT and tested the preventive effects against oxidative stress (hydrogen peroxide)-induced cell death in murine C2C12 skeletal muscle cells. The total phenolic content and total flavonoid content in 30% ethanol extracts of JGT were higher than those of water extracts of JGT. Ethanol extracts of JGT (JGT-E) had stronger antioxidant activities of 2,2′-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) and 2,2′-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl-scavenging activity (DPPH) than water extracts of JGT (JGT-W). JGT-E contained 19–53% (1.8 to 4.9-fold) more active compounds (i.e., albiflorin, liquiritin, pentagalloylglucose, isoliquiritin apioside, isoliquiritin, liquiritigenin, and glycyrrhizin) than JGT-W. The ethanol extracts of JGT inhibited hydrogen peroxide-induced cell death and intracellular reactive oxygen species generation more effectively than the water extract of JGT in a dose-dependent manner. For the first time, these results suggest that ethanol extract of JGT is relatively more efficacious at protecting against oxidative stress-induced muscle cell death.

Repurposing existing drugs for the treatment of COVID-19/SARS-CoV-2 infection: A review describing drug mechanisms of action

The outbreak of a novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) has caused a major public health concern across the globe. SARS-CoV-2 is the seventh coronavirus that is known to cause human disease. As of September 2020, SARS-CoV-2 has been reported in 213 countries and more than 31 million cases have been confirmed, with an estimated mortality rate of ∼3%. Unfortunately, a drug or vaccine is yet to be discovered to treat COVID-19. Thus, repurposing of existing cancer drugs will be a novel approach in treating COVID-19 patients. These drugs target viral replication cycle, viral entry and translocation to the nucleus. Some can enhance innate antiviral immune response as well. Hence this review focuses on comprehensive list of 22 drugs that work against COVID-19 infection. These drugs include fingolimod, colchicine, N4-hydroxycytidine, remdesivir, methylprednisone, oseltamivir, icatibant, perphanizine, viracept, emetine, homoharringtonine, aloxistatin, ribavirin, valrubicin, famotidine, almitrine, amprenavir, hesperidin, biorobin, cromolyn sodium, and antibodies- tocilzumab and sarilumab. Also, we provide a list of 31 drugs that are predicted to function against SARS-CoV-2 infection. In summary, we provide succinct overview of various therapeutic modalities. Among these 53 drugs, based on various clinical trials and literature, remdesivir, nelfinavir, methylpredinosolone, colchicine, famotidine and emetine may be used for COVID-19. SIGNIFICANCE: It is of utmost important priority to develop novel therapies for COVID-19. Since the effect of SARS-CoV-2 is so severe, slowing the spread of diseases will help the health care system, especially the number of visits to Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of any country. Several clinical trials are in works around the globe. Moreover, NCI developed a recent and robust response to COVID-19 pandemic. One of the NCI's goals is to screen cancer related drugs for identification of new therapies for COVID-19. https://www.cancer.gov/news-events/cancer-currents-blog/2020/covid-19-cancer-nci-response?cid=eb_govdel.

Paeoniflorin ameliorates experimental colitis by inhibiting gram-positive bacteria-dependent MDP-NOD2 pathway

Previous studies reported that antibiotics inhibit the growth of Gram-positive bacteria and alleviate ulcerative colitis (UC). But how Gram-positive bacteria are involved in the occurrence of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and which component of it causes inflammation remain unclear. This work aims to demonstrate that Gram-positive bacteria may be an underlying cause of experimental colitis in mice through the muramyl dipeptide (MDP)-nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-containing protein-2 (NOD2) pathway and paeoniflorin inhibits the pathway above to alleviate experimental colitis. In this study, colitis mice were established by oral administration of 3% dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) and paeoniflorin (25, 50,100 mg/kg per day, ig) was administered to the mice for 10 days. Results shown that the abundance and the infiltration of Gram-positive bacteria in intestinal tissues increased in UC mice. Paeoniflorin treatment significantly alleviated DSS-induced experimental colitis mice, reduced the abundance of Gram-positive bacteria in feces and the infiltration of Gram-positive bacteria in intestinal tissues. Paeoniflorin also inhibited mRNA and protein expression of MDP-NOD2 pathway components and decreased the levels of related inflammatory cytokines. In vitro experiments showed that MDP strongly stimulated RAW264.7 cells to secrete tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), and induced translocation of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB p65) from the cytoplasm to nucleus using immunofluorescence co-localization experiments. Overall, the results indicated that Gram-positive bacteria promote the occurrence of colitis via up-regulation of MDP-NOD2 pathway, and paeoniflorin is able to decrease the infiltration of Gram-positive bacteria in intestine and inhibit Gram-positive bacteria-dependent MDP-NOD2 pathway to alleviate mice colitis.

Holistic quality evaluation of Qingwen Baidu Decoction and its anti-inflammatory effects

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Qingwen Baidu Decoction (QBD), a famous traditional Chinese medicine prescription with heat-clearing and detoxifying efficacies, is widely used in the treatment of inflammatory diseases. However, due to lack of holistic quality evaluation research, the further study on the detailed molecular mechanisms of action are still insufficient.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This study aimed to evaluate the overall quality of QBD and to explore the anti-inflammatory effects and associated intracellular signaling pathways.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

a comprehensive method of chemical fingerprint analysis and simultaneous multi-component quantification was firstly developed by high performance liquid chromatography with diode array detector (HPLC-DAD). Similarity analysis, principal component analysis and hierarchical cluster analysis with heatmap were also applied to screen out the markers components in QBD samples. Moreover, its anti-inflammatory effects and mechanisms were further investigated by survival analysis, hematoxylin-eosin staining (H&E), neutrophil observation, quantitative real-time PCR analysis (qRT-PCR), Western blotting and confocal microscopy.

RESULTS

Twenty-one characteristic peaks from 11 herbs were chemically identified in the chromatographic fingerprint. Fifteen quantitative markers from 11 herbs, such as baicalin, wogonoside, geniposidic acid, oxypaeoniflora and so on, were screened out with the aid of chemometrics to further quantitatively assess the quality of QBD. The results of survival analysis, H&E and neutrophil observation in zebrafish inflammatory models consistently showed that QBD exerts potent anti-inflammatory effects in a dose-dependent manner. Additionally, QBD inhibited the activation of NF-κB and STAT3 signal pathways in LPS-induced zebrafish and RAW 264.7 macrophage cells.

CONCLUSION

Collectively, our investigations firstly described the chemical profile of QBD and its possible mechanism of anti-inflammation, which provides a preferred strategy for monitoring the overall quality of QBD and supports its clinical application in treating inflammation-related diseases.

A systematic identification of anti-inflammatory active components derived from Mu Dan Pi and their applications in inflammatory bowel disease

Mu Dan Pi (MDP), also known as Moutan Cortex Radicis, is a traditional Chinese medicine used to treat autoimmune diseases. However, the impact of MDP and its principal active compounds on inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is uncertain. This study therefore systemically assessed the anti-inflammatory effects of MDP and its known active compounds in IBD. The anti-inflammatory activities of water extract and individual compounds were screened by NF-κB and interferon regulatory factor (IRF) reporter assays in THP-1 cells induced with either Toll-like receptor or retinoic acid inducible gene I/melanoma differentiation-associated gene 5 activators and further verified in bone marrow-derived macrophages. MDP water extract significantly inhibited the activation of NF-κB and IRF reporters, downstream signaling pathways and the production of IL-6 and TNF-α, in a dose-dependent manner. Among 5 known active components identified from MDP (1,2,3,4,6-penta-O-galloyl-β-d-glucose [PGG], gallic acid, methyl gallate, paeoniflorin, and paeonol), PGG was the most efficient at inhibiting both reporters (with an IC₅₀ of 5–10 µM) and downregulating IL-6 and TNF-α. Both MDP powder for clinical use and MDP water extract, but not PGG, reduced colitis and pathological changes in mice. MDP and its water extract show promise as a novel therapy for IBD patients.

Paeoniflorin attenuates gestational diabetes via Akt/mTOR pathway in a rat model

Background

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a type of diabetes associated with pregnancy and may impose risks on both mother and fetus. Akt paeoniflorin was shown to have anti-inflammatory and anti-hyperglycemia properties and has a potential ability to suppress mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling. The current study aimed to study the effect of paeoniflorin on GDM maternal, fetal, and placental characteristics in vivo.

Methods

Streptozotocin (STZ)-induced gestational diabetes rat model was used in our study. The expression levels of phosphorylation (p-) and total protein expression levels of protein kinase B (Akt), mTOR, serum/glucocorticoid regulated kinase 1 (SGK1), and eIF4E-binding protein 1 (4E-BP1) in the placenta were determined by Western blot assay. The blood glucose, insulin, and leptin levels were assessed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

Results

We found that placental Akt/mTOR signaling was substantially upregulated in GDM patients compared with healthy donors. Paeoniflorin administration alleviates the dysregulation of blood glucose, leptin, and insulin levels in both maternal and fetal GDM rats. Paeoniflorin treatment suppressed the overactivation of Akt/mTOR signaling in placental tissues. More importantly, administration of paeoniflorin was beneficial for normalization of fetal size and body weight in the GDM rats.

Conclusion

Our study suggested that application of paeoniflorin may serve as a potential therapeutical strategy for patients with GDM.

Paeoniflorin ameliorates ulcerative colitis by modulating the dendritic cell-mediated TH17/Treg balance

Immunological tolerance is critical for maintaining gut homeostasis. An imbalance between interleukin-17 (IL-17)-producing T helper 17 (T_H17) cells and regulatory T cells (T_reg cells) is involved in ulcerative colitis (UC) pathogenesis. Dendritic cells (DCs) are able to induce T cell differentiation. Paeoniflorin (PF) is a monoterpene glucoside that is commonly used for treatment of autoimmune disease. However, the immunological mechanism of PF involvement in UC treatment is unclear. The present study aimed to explore whether PF can restore the T_H17/T_reg balance by modulating DCs. The effects of PF on DCs, T_H17 cells and T_reg cells were measured. Furthermore, PF-treated DCs were injected into mice with 2,4,6-trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid (TNBS)-induced colitis. PF inhibited MHC-II and CD86 expression on the DC surface (P < 0.05), decreased interleukin (IL)-12 secretion in vitro and in vivo (P < 0.05), and restored the T_H17/T_reg ratio in the mouse model of colitis (P < 0.05). PF-treated DCs diminished T_H17 differentiation (4.26% in vitro and 1.64% in vivo) and decreased IL-17 expression (P < 0.05) while inducing CD4⁺CD25⁺Foxp3⁺ T_reg differentiation (7.82% in vitro and 6.85% in vivo) and increasing Foxp3 and IL-10 production (P < 0.05). Additionally, both PF and PF-treated DCs improved colonic histopathology in the mouse model of colitis (P < 0.05). In conclusion this study suggested that PF can ameliorate TNBS-induced colitis by modulating the DC-mediated T_H17/T_reg balance.

Chinese Herbal Medicines for Rheumatoid Arthritis: Text-Mining the Classical Literature for Potentially Effective Natural Products

Background

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease characterized by multijoint swelling, pain, and destruction of the synovial joints. Treatments are available but new therapies are still required. One source of new therapies is natural products, including herbs used in traditional medicines. In China and neighbouring countries, natural products have been used throughout recorded history and are still in use for RA and its symptoms. This study used text-mining of a database of classical Chinese medical books to identify candidates for future clinical and experimental investigations of therapeutics for RA.

Methods

The database Encyclopaedia of Traditional Chinese Medicine (Zhong Hua Yi Dian) includes the full texts of over 1,150 classical books. Eight traditional terms were searched. All citations were assessed for relevance to RA. Results and Conclusions. After removal of duplications, 3,174 citations were considered. After applying the exclusion and inclusion criteria, 548 citations of traditional formulas were included. These derived from 138 books written from 206 CE to 1948. These formulas included 5,018 ingredients (mean, 9 ingredients/formula) comprising 243 different natural products. When these text-mining results were compared to the 18 formulas recommended in a modern Chinese Medicine clinical practice guideline, 44% of the herbal formulas were the same. This suggests considerable continuity in the clinical application of these herbs between classical and modern Chinese medicine practice. Of the 15 herbs most frequently used as ingredients of the classical formulas, all have received research attention, and all have been reported to have anti-inflammatory effects. Two of these 15 herbs have already been developed into new anti-RA therapeutics—sinomenine from Sinomenium acutum (Thunb.) Rehd. & Wils and total glucosides of peony from Paeonia lactiflora Pall. Nevertheless, there remains considerable scope for further research. This text-mining approach was effective in identifying multiple natural product candidates for future research.

Paeoniflorin, a Natural Product With Multiple Targets in Liver Diseases-A Mini Review

Paeoniflorin is derived from Paeonia suffruticosa Andr., Paeonia lactiflora Pall., or Paeonia veitchii Lynch and has been used in traditional medical applications for more than 2,000 years. Paeoniflorin is a monoterpenoid glycoside with various effects on liver diseases. Recent studies have revealed that paeoniflorin demonstrates a wide range of activities, including hepatic protection, cholestasis alleviation, liver fibrosis attenuation, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease prevention, and hepatocellular carcinoma inhibition involved in multiple pathways. Moreover, anti-inflammation, antioxidation, and immune regulation with the regulation of TLR4-NF-κB, ROCK/NF-κB, HO-1, mitochondria-dependent as well as HMGB1‐TLR4 signaling pathways are correlated with hepatic protection in liver injury and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Antioxidative mechanisms, anti-inflammation, and hepatic transporter regulation involved in NOX4, PI3K/Akt/Nrf2, NF‐κB, NTCP, BSEP, as well as MRP2 signals are mainly relevant to the anticholestatic effect of paeoniflorin. The inhibition of hepatic stellate cell activation and alleviation of extracellular matrix deposition via vast signals such as mTOR/HIF-1α, TGF-β1/Smads, and JAK2/STAT6 are primarily involved in the antifibrotic effect of paeoniflorin. The regulation of macrophages also contributes to the alleviation effect on liver fibrosis. In addition, the reduction of invasion, metastasis, and adhesion and the induction of apoptosis-related targets, including Bax, Bcl-2, and caspase-3, are related to its effect on hepatocellular carcinoma. The literature indicates that paeoniflorin might have potent efficacy in complex liver diseases and demonstrates the profound medicinal value of paeoniflorin.