Deciphering the Pharmacological Mechanisms of Taohe-Chengqi Decoction Extract Against Renal Fibrosis Through Integrating Network Pharmacology and Experimental Validation In Vitro and In Vivo

Exploring the anti-inflammatory and immune regulatory effects of Taohe Chengqi decoction in sepsis-induced lung injury

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Sepsis presents complex pathophysiological challenges. Taohe Chengqi Decoction (THCQ), a traditional Chinese medicine, offers potential in managing sepsis-related complications, though its exact mechanisms are not fully understood.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This research aimed to assess the therapeutic efficacy and underlying mechanisms of THCQ on sepsis-induced lung injury.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The study began with validating THCQ's anti-inflammatory effects through in vitro and in vivo experiments. Network pharmacology was employed for mechanistic exploration, incorporating GO, KEGG, and PPI analyses of targets. Hub gene-immune cell correlations were assessed using CIBERSORT, with further scrutiny at clinical and single-cell levels. Molecular docking explored THCQ's drug-gene interactions, culminating in qPCR and WB validations of hub gene expressions in sepsis and post-THCQ treatment scenarios.

RESULTS

THCQ demonstrated efficacy in modulating inflammatory responses in sepsis, identified through network pharmacology. Key genes like MAPK14, MAPK3, MMP9, STAT3, LYN, AKT1, PTPN11, and HSP90AA1 emerged as central targets. Molecular docking revealed interactions between these genes and THCQ components. qPCR results showed significant modulation of these genes, indicating THCQ's potential in reducing inflammation and regulating immune responses in sepsis.

CONCLUSION

This study sheds light on THCQ's anti-inflammatory and immune regulatory mechanisms in sepsis, providing a foundation for further research and potential clinical application.

Resveratrol as a potential therapeutic agent for sarcopenic obesity: Insights from in vivoperiments

Sarcopenic obesity (SO) is a metabolic disorder with increasing prevalence. It is characterized by a reduction in skeletal muscle mass and strength. Resveratrol (RSV) is one of the most frequently used herbs in the treatment of skeletal muscle atrophy. However, the precise mechanism of the action of RSV in SO remains unclear. The objective of this study was to examine the pharmacological mechanism of RSV in the context of SO through the lens of network pharmacology, to validate these findings through in vivo experimentation. A list of potential RSV targets was compiled by retrieving the data from multiple databases. This list was then cross-referenced with a list of potential targets related to SO. The intersections of RSV- and SO-related targets were analyzed using Venn diagrams. To identify the core genes, a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network of the intersection targets was constructed and subsequently analyzed. Molecular docking was used to predict RSV binding to its core targets. A high-fat diet was used to induce SO in mice. These findings indicated that RSV may prevent SO by acting on 11 targets. Among these, interleukin-6 (IL-6), C-reactive protein (CRP), and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) are considered core targets. The Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment results indicated that the anti-SO effect of RSV was predominantly linked to metabolic disease-related pathways, including those associated with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. The anti-inflammatory effects of RSV were confirmed in vivo in an SO mouse model. This study contributes to a more comprehensive understanding of the key mechanisms of the action of RSV against SO and provides new possibilities for drug development in the pathological process of SO.

Jiawei Taohe Chengqi Decoction attenuates CCl4 induced hepatic fibrosis by inhibiting HSCs activation via TGF-β1/CUGBP1 and IFN-γ/Smad7 pathway

BACKGROUND

Hepatic fibrosis (HF) is an essential stage in the progression of different chronic liver conditions to cirrhosis and even hepatocellular carcinoma. The activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) plays a crucial role in the progression of HF. IFN- γ/Smad7 pathway can inhibit HSCs activation, while TGF-β1/CUGBP1 pathway can inhibit IFN-γ/Smad7 pathway transduction and promote HSCs activation. Thus, inhibiting the TGF-β1/CUGBP1 pathway and activating the IFN-γ/Smad7 pathway reverses HSCs activation and inhibits HF. Jiawei Taohe Chengqi Decoction (JTCD) was derived from the Taohe Chengqi Tang in the ancient Chinese medical text titled "Treatise on Febrile Diseases". We found several anti-HF components in JTCD including ginsenoside Rb1 and others, but the specific mechanism of anti-HF in JTCD is not clear.

PURPOSE

To elucidate the specific mechanism by which JTCD reverses HF by inhibiting the activation of HSCs, and to establish a scientific foundation for treating HF with Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM).

METHODS

We constructed a CCl4-induced mice HF model in vivo and activated human hepatic stellate cell line (LX-2) with TGF-β1 in vitro, after which they were treated with JTCD and the corresponding inhibitors. We examined the expression of pivotal molecules in the two pathways mentioned above by immunofluorescence staining, Western blotting and RT-PCR.

RESULTS

JTCD attenuated liver injury and reduced serum ALT and AST levels in mice. In addition, JTCD attenuated CCl4-induced HF by decreasing the expression of α-SMA, COL1A1 and other markers of HSCs activation in mice liver tissue. Moreover, JTCD effectively suppressed the levels of TGF-β1, p-Smad3, p-p38MAPK, p-ATF2, and CUGBP1 in vivo and in vitro and upregulated the levels of IFN-γ, p-STAT1, and Smad7. Mechanically, after using the inhibitors of both pathways in vitro, we found that JTCD inhibited the activation of HSCs by restoring the balance of the TGF-β1/CUGBP1 and IFN-γ/Smad7 pathways.

CONCLUSION

We demonstrated that JTCD inhibited HSCs activation and reversed HF by inhibiting the TGF-β1/CUGBP1 signalling pathway and upregulating the IFN-γ/Smad7 signalling pathway. Moreover, we have identified specific links where JTCD interferes with both pathways to inhibit HSCs activation. JTCD is an effective candidate for the clinical treatment of HF.

Mechanism of emodin in treating hepatitis B virus-associated hepatocellular carcinoma: network pharmacology and cell experiments

Introduction

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a pressing global issue, with Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection remaining the primary. Emodin, an anthraquinone compound extracted from the natural plant's. This study investigates the molecular targets and possible mechanisms of emodin in treating HBV-related HCC based on network pharmacology and molecular docking and validates the screened molecular targets through in vitro experiments.

Methods

Potential targets related to emodin were obtained through PubChem, CTD, PharmMapper, SuperPred, and TargetNet databases. Potential disease targets for HBV and HCC were identified using the DisGeNET, GeneCards, OMIM, and TTD databases. A Venn diagram was used to determine overlapping genes between the drug and the diseases. Enrichment analysis of these genes was performed using GO and KEGG via bioinformatics websites. The overlapping genes were imported into STRING to construct a protein-protein interaction network. Cytoscape 3.9.1 software was used for visualizing and analyzing the core targets. Molecular docking analysis of the drug and core targets was performed using Schrodinger. The regulatory effects of emodin on these core targets were validate through in vitro experiments.

Results

A total of 43 overlapping genes were identified. GO analysis recognized 926 entries, and KEGG analysis identified 135 entries. The main pathways involved in the KEGG analysis included cancer, human cytomegalovirus infection and prostate cancer. The binding energies of emodin with HSP90AA1, PTGS2, GSTP1, SOD2, MAPK3, and PCNA were all less than -5 kcal/mol. Compared to normal liver tissue, the mRNA levels of XRCC1, MAPK3, and PCNA were significantly elevated in liver cancer tissue. The expression levels of XRCC1, HIF1A, MAPK3, and PCNA genes were closely related to HCC progression. High expressions of HSP90AA1, TGFB1, HIF1A, MAPK3, and PCNA were all closely associated with poor prognosis in HCC. In vitro experiments demonstrated that emodin significantly downregulated the expression of HSP90AA1, MAPK3, XRCC1, PCNA, and SOD2, while significantly upregulating the expression of PTGS2 and GSTP1.

Conclusion

This study, based on network pharmacology and molecular docking validation, suggests that emodin may exert therapeutic effects on HBV-related HCC by downregulating the expression of XRCC1, MAPK3, PCNA, HSP90AA1, and SOD2, and upregulating the expression of PTGS2 and GSTP1.

TaoHe ChengQi decoction ameliorates sepsis-induced cardiac dysfunction through anti-ferroptosis via the Nrf2 pathway

BACKGROUND

Sepsis-induced cardiac dysfunction (SICD) is a serious complication of sepsis that is associated with increased mortality. Ferroptosis has been reported in the SICD. TaoHe ChengQi decoction (THCQD), a classical traditional Chinese medicinal formula, has multiple beneficial pharmacological effects. The potential effects of THCQD on the SICD remain unknown.

PURPOSE

To investigate the effect of THCQD on SICD and explore whether this effect is related to the regulation of myocardial ferroptosis through nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) activation.

METHODS

We induced sepsis in a mouse model using cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) and administered THCQD (2 and 4 g/kg) and dexamethasone (40 mg/kg). Mice mortality was recorded and survival curves were plotted. Echocardiography, hematoxylin and eosin staining, and analysis of serum myocardial injury markers and inflammatory factors were used to evaluate cardiac pathology. Myocardial ferroptosis was detected by quantifying specific biomarker content and protein levels. Through HPLC-Q-Exactive-MS analysis, we identified the components of the THCQD. Network pharmacology analysis and Cellular Thermal Shift Assay (CETSA) were utilized to predict the targets of THCQD for treating SICD. We detected the expression of Nrf2 using Western blotting or immunofluorescence. An RSL3-induced ferroptosis model was established using neonatal rat cardiomyocytes (NRCMs) to further explore the pharmacological mechanism of THCQD. In addition to measuring cell viability, we observed changes in NRCM mitochondria using electron microscopy and JC-1 staining. NRF2 inhibitor ML385 and Nrf2 knockout mice were used to validate whether THCQD exerted protective effects against SICD through Nrf2-mediated ferroptosis signaling.

RESULTS

THCQD reduced mortality in septic mice, protected against CLP-induced myocardial injury, decreased systemic inflammatory response, and prevented myocardial ferroptosis. Network pharmacology analysis and CETSA experiments predicted that THCQD may protect against SICD by activating the Nrf2 signaling pathway. Western blotting and immunofluorescence showed that THCQD activated Nrf2 in cardiac tissue. THCQDs consistently mitigated RSL3-induced ferroptosis in NRCM, which is related to Nrf2. Furthermore, the pharmacological inhibition of Nrf2 and genetic Nrf2 knockout partially reversed the protective effects of THCQD on SICD and ferroptosis.

CONCLUSION

The effect of THCQD on SICD was achieved by activating Nrf2 and its downstream pathways.

Huoxue Jiedu Huayu recipe inhibits macrophage-secreted vascular endothelial growth factor-a on angiogenesis and alleviates renal fibrosis in the contralateral kidneys of unilateral ureteral obstruction rats

OBJECTIVE：To elucidate the mechanism by which Huoxue Jiedu Huayu recipe (, HJHR) regulates angiogenesis in the contralateral kidney of unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) rats and the mechanism by which it reduces of renal fibrosis.

METHODS

Male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: the sham group, UUO group (180 d of left ureter ligation), UUO plus eplerenone (EPL) group, and UUO plus HJHR group. After 180 d of oral drug administration, blood and contralateral kidneys were collected for analysis. Angiogenesis- and fibrosis-related indexes were detected.

RESULTS

HJHR and EPL improved structural damage and renal interstitial fibrosis in the contralateral kidney and reduced the protein expression levels of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), vimentin and collagen I. Moreover, these treatments could reduce the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGFA) by inhibiting the infiltration of macrophages. Furthermore, HJHR and EPL significantly reduced the expression of CD34 and CD105 by downregulating VEGFA production, which inhibited angiogenesis. Finally, the coexpressions of CD34, CD105 and α-SMA were decreased in the HJHR and EPL groups, indicating that endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition was inhibited.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings confirm that HJHR alleviates contralateral renal fibrosis by inhibiting VEGFA-induced angiogenesis, encourage the use of HJHR against renal interstitial fibrosis and provide a theoretical basis for the clinical management of patients with CKD.

Integrated oral microgel system ameliorates renal fibrosis by hitchhiking co-delivery and targeted gut flora modulation

BACKGROUND

Renal fibrosis is a progressive process associated with chronic kidney disease (CKD), contributing to impaired kidney function. Active constituents in traditional Chinese herbs, such as emodin (EMO) and asiatic acid (AA), exhibit potent anti-fibrotic properties. However, the oral administration of EMO and AA results in low bioavailability and limited kidney accumulation. Additionally, while oral probiotics have been accepted for CKD treatment through gut microbiota modulation, a significant challenge lies in ensuring their viability upon administration. Therefore, our study aims to address both renal fibrosis and gut microbiota imbalance through innovative co-delivery strategies.

RESULTS

In this study, we developed yeast cell wall particles (YCWPs) encapsulating EMO and AA self-assembled nanoparticles (NPYs) and embedded them, along with Lactobacillus casei Zhang, in chitosan/sodium alginate (CS/SA) microgels. The developed microgels showed significant controlled release properties for the loaded NPYs and prolonged the retention time of Lactobacillus casei Zhang (L. casei Zhang) in the intestine. Furthermore, in vivo biodistribution showed that the microgel-carried NPYs significantly accumulated in the obstructed kidneys of rats, thereby substantially increasing the accumulation of EMO and AA in the impaired kidneys. More importantly, through hitchhiking delivery based on yeast cell wall and positive modulation of gut microbiota, our microgels with this synergistic strategy of therapeutic and modulatory interactions could regulate the TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway and thus effectively ameliorate renal fibrosis in unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) rats.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, our work provides a new strategy for the treatment of renal fibrosis based on hitchhiking co-delivery of nanodrugs and probiotics to achieve synergistic effects of disease treatment and targeted gut flora modulation.

Kokusaginine attenuates renal fibrosis by inhibiting the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway

Kokusaginine is an active ingredient alkaloid that has been isolated and extracted from Ruta graveolens L. Some researches have indicated that alkaloids possess anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. Nevertheless, the potential nephroprotective effects of kokusaginine on renal fibrosis remain undetermined. This study was conducted to examine the protective effect of kokusaginine on renal fibrosis and to explore the underlying mechanisms using both in vivo and in vitro models. Renal fibrosis was induced in male C57BL/6 J mice by feeding with 0.2% adenine-containing food and UUO surgery. Kokusaginine was administered orally simultaneously after the establishment of renal fibrosis. Renal function was measured by serum levels of creatinine and urea nitrogen. Renal pathological changes were assessed by HE staining and Masson staining. Western blotting was employed to detect the expression levels of fibrosis-related proteins in mice and cells. Additionally, network pharmacology analysis and RNA-seq were utilized to predict the pathways through which kokusaginine could exert its anti-fibrotic effects. The treatment with kokusaginine enhanced renal function, alleviated renal histoarchitectural lesions, and mitigated renal fibrosis in the renal fibrosis models. The network pharmacology and RNA-seq enrichment analysis of the KEGG pathway demonstrated that kokusaginine could exert anti-renal fibrosis activity via the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. And the results were verified in both in vitro and in vivo experiments. In conclusion, our data implied that kokusaginine inhibited the activation of the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway both in vitro and in vivo, and suppressed the formation of renal fibrosis. Thus, the kokusaginine-mediated PI3K/AKT signaling pathway may represent a novel approach for the treatment of renal fibrosis.

Exploring the pharmacological mechanism of Glycyrrhiza uralensis against KOA through integrating network pharmacology and experimental assessment

Knee osteoarthritis (KOA), a major health and economic problem facing older adults worldwide, is a degenerative joint disease. Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch. (GC) plays an integral role in many classic Chinese medicine prescriptions for treating knee osteoarthritis. Still, the role of GC in treating KOA is unclear. To explore the pharmacological mechanism of GC against KOA, UPLC-Q-TOF/MS was conducted to detect the main compounds in GC. The therapeutic effect of GC on DMM-induced osteoarthritic mice was assessed by histomorphology, μCT, behavioural tests, and immunohistochemical staining. Network pharmacology and molecular docking were used to predict the potential targets of GC against KOA. The predicted results were verified by immunohistochemical staining Animal experiments showed that GC had a protective effect on DMM-induced KOA, mainly in the improvement of movement disorders, subchondral bone sclerosis and cartilage damage. A variety of flavonoids and triterpenoids were detected in GC via UPLC-Q-TOF/MS, such as Naringenin. Seven core targets (JUN, MAPK3, MAPK1, AKT1, TP53, RELA and STAT3) and three main pathways (IL-17, NF-κB and TNF signalling pathways) were discovered through network pharmacology analysis that closely related to inflammatory response. Interestingly, molecular docking results showed that the active ingredient Naringenin had a good binding effect on anti-inflammatory-related proteins. In the verification experiment, after the intervention of GC, the expression levels of pp65 and F4/80 inflammatory indicators in the knee joint of KOA model mice were significantly downregulated. GC could improve the inflammatory environment in DMM-induced osteoarthritic mice thus alleviating the physiological structure and dysfunction of the knee joint. GC might play an important role in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis.

Paeoniflorin, the Main Monomer Component of Paeonia lactiflora, Exhibits Anti-inflammatory Properties in Osteoarthritis Synovial Inflammation

OBJECTIVE

To explore the mechanism of paeoniflorin (PF) on osteoarthritis (OA) synovial inflammation from network pharmacology to experimental pharmacology.

METHODS

Targets of OA were constructed by detecting the database of network database platforms (Therapeutic Target database, DrugBank and GeneCards), and the targets of PF were constructed by PubChem and Herbal Ingredients' Targets database. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis of these co-targeted genes were conducted via Database for Annotation, Visualization, and Integrated Discovery (DAVID) database, and protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks were conducted via the search tool for the retrieval of interacting genes (STRING) database. Cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay was performed to assess the potential toxicity of PF on human OA fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS), quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and Western blot were used to verify the potential mechanism of PF in synovial inflammation.

RESULTS

Twenty-six co-targeted genes were identified. GO enrichment results showed that these co-targeted genes were most likely localized in the cytoplasm, and the biological processes mainly involved 'cellular response to hypoxia' 'lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-mediated signaling pathway' and 'positive regulation of gene expression'. KEGG pathway analysis indicated that these co-targeted genes may function through pathways associated with 'hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1) signaling pathway' and 'tumor-necrosis factor (TNF) signaling pathway'. The PPI network showed that the top 3 hub genes were TP53, TNF, and CASP3. Molecular docking results showed that PF was well docking with TNF. CCK-8 showed no potential toxicity of 10, 20 and 50 µmol/L PF on human OA FLS. And PF significantly decreased the expression levels of interleukin-1 β, interleukin-6, TNF-α matrix metalloproteinase 13 (MMP13), and a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs 5 (ADAMTS5) and TNF-α in LPS-induced OA FLS.

CONCLUSION

PF exhibited potent anti-inflammatory effect in OA synovial inflammation.

"Qi Nan" agarwood restores podocyte autophagy in diabetic kidney disease by targeting EGFR signaling pathway

BACKGROUND

Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is a microvascular complication of diabetes mellitus, contributing to end-stage renal disease with limited treatment options. The development of DKD is attributed to podocyte injury resulting from abnormal podocyte autophagy. Consequently, the restoration of podocyte autophagy is deemed a practicable approach in the treatment of DKD.

METHODS

Diabetic mice were induced by streptozotocin and high-fat diet feeding. Following 8 weeks of "QN" agarwood treatment, metrics such as albuminuria, serum creatinine (Scr), and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) were evaluated. Renal histological lesions were evaluated by H&E, PAS, Masson, and Sirius red staining. Evaluation of the effects of "QN" agarwood on renal inflammation and fibrosis in DKD mice through WB, q-PCR, and IHC staining analysis. Cytoscape 3.7.1 was used to construct a PPI network. With the DAVID server, the gene ontology (GO) functional annotation and the Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG) signaling pathways of the target enrichment were performed. Molecular docking and binding affinity calculations were conducted using AutoDock, while PyMOL software was employed for visualizing the docking results of active compounds and protein targets.

RESULTS

The results of this study show that "QN" agarwood reduced albuminuria, Scr, and BUN in DKD mice, and improved the renal pathological process. Additionally, "QN" agarwood was observed to downregulate the mRNA and protein expression levels of pro-inflammatory and pro-fibrotic factors in the kidneys of DKD mice. Network pharmacology predicts that "QN" agarwood modulates the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) signaling pathway. "QN" agarwood can increase the expression of LC3B and Nphs1 in DKD mice while reducing the expression of EGFR.

CONCLUSION

The present study demonstrated that "QN" agarwood ameliorated renal injury in DKD by targeting EGFR and restoring podocyte autophagy.

Taohe Chengqi decoction alleviated metabolic-associated fatty liver disease by boosting branched chain amino acids catabolism in the skeletal muscles of type 2 diabetes mellitus

OBJECTIVE

Metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is the most prevalent liver disease, whereas type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is considered an independent risk factor for MAFLD incidence. Taohe Chengqi decoction (THCQ) is clinically prescribed for T2DM treatment; however, the hepatoprotective effect of THCQ against MAFLD is still unknown. This study intended to elucidate the therapeutic effect of THCQ on T2DM-associated MAFLD and to investigate the underlying mechanisms.

METHODS

THCQ lyophilized powder was prepared and analyzed by UHPLC-MS/MS. A stable T2DM mouse model was established by high-fat diet (HFD) feeding combined with streptozotocin (STZ) injection. The T2DM mice were administered THCQ (2.5 g/kg or 5 g/kg) to explore the pharmacological effects of THCQ on T2DM-associated MAFLD. Liver tissue transcriptome was analyzed and the participatory roles of PPARα/γ pathways were verified both in vivo and in vitro. Serum metabolome analysis was used to explore the metabolome changes and skeletal muscle branched chain amino acid (BCAA) catabolic enzymes were further detected. Moreover, an AAV carrying BCKDHA shRNA was intramuscularly injected to verify the impact of THCQ on skeletal muscle BCAA catabolism and the potential therapeutic outcome on hepatic steatosis.

RESULTS

THCQ improved hepatic steatosis in MAFLD. RNA-sequencing analysis showed dysregulation in the hepatic PPARγ-related fatty acid synthesis, while PPARα-dependent fatty acid oxidation was elevated following THCQ treatment. Interestingly, in vitro analyses of these findings showed that THCQ had minor effects on fatty acid oxidation and/or synthesis. The metabolomic study revealed that THCQ accelerated BCAA catabolism in the skeletal muscles, in which knockdown of the BCAA catabolic enzyme BCKDHA diminished the THCQ therapeutic effect on hepatic steatosis.

CONCLUSION

This study highlighted the potential therapeutic effect of THCQ on hepatic steatosis in MALFD. THCQ upregulated fatty acid oxidation and reduced its synthesis via restoration of PPARα/γ pathways in HFD/STZ-induced T2DM mice, which is mediated through augmenting BCKDH activity and accelerating BCAA catabolism in the skeletal muscles. Overall, this study provided in-depth clues for "skeletal muscles-liver communication" in the therapeutic effect of THCQ against hepatic steatosis. These findings suggested THCQ might be a potential candidate against T2DM-associated MAFLD.

A systematic strategy for investigating the pharmacological effects and mechanism of traditional Chinese medicinal formula: Guilin Xiguashuang as a case

BACKGROUND

Traditional Chinese medicinal formula (TCMF) has specific advantages in treating diseases. However, the pharmacological effects and mechanism of TCMF composed of traditional Chinese medicines (TCM) with unclear active components or targets have not yet been fully elucidated.

OBJECTIVES

This research proposed a strategy for elucidating the pharmacological effects and mechanism to address this issue systematically.

METHODS

With Guilin Xiguashuang (GLXGS) taken as a case, this study newly provided the multi-level assays, which decomposes TCMF into components, TCM, and TCMF levels. The main pharmacological effects were acquired through a comprehensive analysis based on the active components, pharmacological effects of TCM, and clinical efficacy of TCMF, respectively. The core targets and pathways were further identified and verified to elucidate the mechanism.

RESULTS

The main pharmacological effects of GLXGS were anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antibacterial, immunoregulatory, and wound healing. Moreover, the mechanism analysis demonstrated that GLXGS was involved in the regulation of NF-κB and VEGF signaling pathways and core targets, such as IL-6 and TNF-α. Finally, unproven immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory mechanism were verified using RAW264.7 and THP-1 cells. GLXGS was verified to down-regulate IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α, and CD86 in lipopolysaccharides-stimulated RAW264.7 cells, while enhancing polarization in both RAW264.7 and THP-1 cells, which were consistent with analysis results.

CONCLUSION

The present research provides a systematic strategy for the pharmacological effect prediction and mechanism analysis of TCMF, which is of great significance for studying complex TCMF.

Herb pair of Rhubarb-Astragalus mitigates renal interstitial fibrosis through downregulation of autophagy via p38-MAPK/TGF-β1 and p38-MAPK/smad2/3 pathways

BACKGROUND

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) has a high incidence and poor prognosis; however, no effective treatment is currently available. Our previous study found that the improvement effect of the herb pair of Rhubarb-Astragalus on CKD is likely related to the inhibition of the TGF-β1/p38-MAPK pathway. In the present study, a p38-MAPK inhibitor was used to further investigate the inhibitory effect of Rhubarb-Astragalus on the TGF-β1/p38-MAPK pathway and its relationship with autophagy.

METHODS

A rat model of unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) was established, and a subgroup of rats was administered Rhubarb-Astragalus. Renal function and renal interstitial fibrosis (RIF) were assessed 21 d after UUO induction. In vitro, HK-2 cells were treated with TGF-β1 and a subset of cells were treated with Rhubarb-Astragalus or p38-MAPK inhibitor. Western blotting, immunohistochemistry, and qRT-PCR analyses were used to detect the relevant protein and mRNA levels. Transmission electron microscopy was used to observe autophagosomes.

RESULTS

Rhubarb-Astragalus treatment markedly decreased the elevated levels of blood urea nitrogen, serum creatinine, and urinary N-acetyl-β-D-glucosaminidase; attenuated renal damage and RIF induced by UUO; and reduced the number of autophagosomes and lysosomes in UUO-induced renal tissues. Additionally, Rhubarb-Astragalus reduced the protein and mRNA levels of α-SMA, collagen I, LC3, Atg3, TGF-β1, p38-MAPK, smad2/3, and TAK1 in renal tissues of UUO rats. Rhubarb-Astragalus also reduced protein and mRNA levels of these indicators in vitro. Importantly, the effect of the p38-MAPK inhibitor was similar to that of Rhubarb-Astragalus.

CONCLUSIONS

Rhubarb-Astragalus improves CKD possibly by downregulating autophagy via the p38-MAPK/TGF-β1 and p38-MAPK/smad2/3 pathways.

Network pharmacology analysis and experimental validation to explore the mechanism of kaempferol in the treatment of osteoporosis

Osteoporosis (OP) is a prevalent global disease characterized by bone mass loss and microstructural destruction, resulting in increased bone fragility and fracture susceptibility. Our study aims to investigate the potential of kaempferol in preventing and treating OP through a combination of network pharmacology and molecular experiments. Kaempferol and OP-related targets were retrieved from the public database. A protein-protein interaction (PPI) network of common targets was constructed using the STRING database and visualized with Cytoscape 3.9.1 software. Enrichment analyses for GO and KEGG of potential therapeutic targets were conducted using the Hiplot platform. Molecular docking was performed using Molecular operating environment (MOE) software, and cell experiments were conducted to validate the mechanism of kaempferol in treating OP. Network pharmacology analysis identified 54 overlapping targets between kaempferol and OP, with 10 core targets identified. The primarily enriched pathways included atherosclerosis-related signaling pathways, the AGE/RAGE signaling pathway, and the TNF signaling pathway. Molecular docking results indicated stable binding of kaempferol and two target proteins, AKT1 and MMP9. In vitro cell experiments demonstrated significant upregulation of AKT1 expression in MC3T3-E1 cells (p < 0.001) with kaempferol treatment, along with downregulation of MMP9 expression (p < 0.05) compared to the control group. This study predicted the core targets and pathways of kaempferol in OP treatment using network pharmacology, and validated these findings through in vitro experiments, suggesting a promising avenue for future clinical treatment of OP.

Jiawei Taohe Chengqi decoction inhibition of the notch signal pathway affects macrophage reprogramming to inhibit HSCs activation for the treatment of hepatic fibrosis

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Jiawei Taohe Chengqi Tang (JTCD) is a modified formulation of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) known as Taohe Chengqi Decoction, which has been described in the ancient TCM literature "Treatise on Febrile Diseases". As a formula that can activate blood circulation and eliminate blood stasis and regulate Yin and Yang in traditional Chinese medicine applications, JTCD has been reported to be effective in the treatment of chronic liver disease and hepatic fibrosis (HF).

AIM OF STUDY

The current study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of JTCD in modulating hepatic macrophages by regulating the Notch signal pathway, and to further investigate the mechanisms underlying macrophage reprogramming that leads to HF.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Molecular assays were performed using in vitro cultures of human mononuclear THP-1 cells and human-derived hepatic stellate cells LX-2. CCl4-induced mice were utilized as an in vivo model to simulate HF.

RESULTS

Our results demonstrated that JTCD exhibited dual effects by inhibiting hepatic stellate cell (HSCs) activation and modulating the polarisation of macrophages towards the M2 phenotype while decreasing the M1 phenotype. Network pharmacological analyses and molecular docking studies revealed that the Notch signal pathway was significantly enriched and played a crucial role in the therapeutic response of JTCD against HF. Moreover, through the establishment of a co-culture model, we validated that JTCD inhibited the Notch signal pathway in macrophages, leading to alterations in macrophage reprogramming, subsequent inhibition of HSC activation, and ultimately exerting anti-HF effects.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, our findings provide solid evidence for JTCD in treating HF, as it suppresses the Notch signal pathway in macrophages, regulates macrophage reprogramming, and inhibits HSC activation.

FKBP38 suppresses endometrial cancer cell proliferation and metastasis by inhibiting the mTOR pathway

Endometrial cancer (EC) is a common gynecological malignancy, and advanced-stage or recurrent EC is associated with a high mortality rate owing to the ineffectiveness of currently available treatments. FK506-binding protein 38 (FKBP38) is a member of the immunophilin family and inhibits melanoma and breast cancer cell metastasis. However, the functions of FKBP38 and its potential mechanism in EC remain unclear. Herein, we analyzed the expression levels of FKBP38 in EC cells and found that the FKBP38 expression was high in Ishikawa cells, and low in AN3CA cells, traditionally considered a low grade and a high grade cell line, respectively, in pathology classification. Moreover, FKBP38 inhibited cell proliferation, migration and invasion in EC cells, FKBP38 knockdown significantly promoted tumor growth of Ishikawa cells in a subcutaneous xenograft model and increased the number of lung metastases of Hec-1-A cells in a metastatic mouse model. Furthermore, FKBP38 suppressed several target proteins of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and reduced the phosphorylation of ribosomal S6 protein (S6), eukaryotic initiation factor 4E-binding protein 1 (4EBP-1), indicating the potent inhibition of the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway. Meanwhile, the inhibition of mTOR neutralized the elevation of EC cell proliferation, migration and invasion after FKBP38 knockdown. In summary, FKBP38 would exert a tumor-suppressing role by modulating the mTOR pathway. Our results indicate that FKBP38 may be considered as a factor of EC metastasis and a new target for EC therapeutic intervention.

Expression of insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 in HELLP syndrome

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the expression of insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3(IGFBP-3) in HELLP syndrome and its possible role in the pathogenesis of this disease.

METHODS

1) 87 subjects were enrolled, including 29 patients with HELLP syndrome, 29 patients with pre-eclampsia (PE), and 29 healthy gravidae as control. The levels of IGFBP-3, IGF-1, TGF-β1, and VEGF in maternal and umbilical blood of them were detected using ELISA. Correlation analysis was used to observe the correlation between IGFBP-3 and IGF-1/TGF-β1/VEGF in maternal and umbilical blood, as well as that between maternal serum IGFBP-3 and clinical diagnostic indicators of HELLP syndrome. 2) Human hepatic sinusoid endothelial cells (HLSEC) and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) were cultured with different concentrations of IGFBP-3. After 72 h of culture, cell apoptosis and the normal living cells rate were detected and compared.

RESULTS

1) In both maternal and umbilical blood of HELLP group, levels of IGFBP-3 and TGF-β1 were higher than control and PE group, IGF-1was lower than control group, VEGF was lower than control and PE group. IGFBP-3 in maternal blood was correlated with IGF-1/TGF-β1/ VEGF, while IGFBP-3 in umbilical blood was linked to IGF-1/TGF-β1. In maternal blood, there was a negative correlation between PLT and IGFBP-3, and a positive correlation between ALT/AST/LDH and IGFBP-3. 2) After cultured with IGFBP-3, the total apoptosis rate of either HLSEC or HUVEC was considerably elevated, while the normal living rate was decreased.

CONCLUSION

The expression of IGFBP-3 is elevated in HELLP syndrome, which may subsequently promote cell apoptosis by affecting the expression and function of IGF-1, VEGF, and TGFβ1 in the IGF/PI3K/Akt, TGF-β1/Smad3, and VEGF/eNOS/NO pathways. IGFBP-3 aggravates inflammatory reactions of the vascular endothelium and liver under hypoxia, affects the normal function of cells, and plays a role in the pathogenesis of diseases.

The mechanism of Shenbing Decoction II against IgA nephropathy renal fibrosis revealed by UPLC-MS/MS, network pharmacology and experimental verification

Background

IgA nephropathy (IgAN) is a major and growing public health problem. Renal fibrosis plays a vital role in the progression of IgAN. This study is to investigate the mechanisms of action underlying the therapeutic effects of Shenbing Decoction II (SBDII) in IgAN renal fibrosis treatment based on ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS), network pharmacology and experimental verification.

Method

We first used UPLC-MS/MS to explore the main compounds of SBDII, and then used network pharmacology to predict the targets and key pathways of SBDII in the treatment of IgAN renal fibrosis. Next, bovine serum albumin (BSA), lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and carbon tetrachloride (CCL4) were used to induce IgAN in rats, and then biochemical indicators, renal tissue pathology, and renal fibrosis-related indicators were examined. At the same time, part of the results predicted by network pharmacology were also verified.

Result

A total of 105 compounds were identified in SBDII by UPLC-MS/MS. Network pharmacology results showed that the active compounds such as acacetin, eupatilin, and galangin may mediate the therapeutic effects of SBDII in treating IgAN by targeting tumor protein p53 (TP53) and regulating phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)-Akt kinase (Akt) signaling pathway. Animal experiments showed that SBDII not only significantly improved renal function and fibrosis in IgAN rats, but also significantly downregulated the expressions of p53, p-PI3K and p-Akt.

Conclusion

This UPLC-MS/MS, network pharmacological and experimental study highlights that the TP53 as a target, and PI3K-Akt signaling pathway are the potential mechanism by which SBDII is involved in IgAN renal fibrosis treatment. Acacetin, eupatilin, and galangin are probable active compounds in SBDII, these results might provide valuable guidance for further studies of IgAN renal fibrosis treatment.

Anti-inflammation is an important way that Qingre-Huazhuo-Jiangsuan recipe treats acute gouty arthritis

Background: Acute gouty arthritis (AGA) significantly impairs patients' quality of life. Currently, existing therapeutic agents exhibit definite efficacy but also lead to serious adverse reactions. Therefore, it is essential to develop highly efficient therapeutic agents with minimal adverse reactions, especially within traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Additionally, food polyphenols have shown potential in treating various inflammatory diseases. The Qingre-Huazhuo-Jiangsuan-Recipe (QHJR), a modification of Si-Miao-San (SMS), has emerged as a TCM remedy for AGA with no reported side effects. Recent research has also highlighted a strong genetic link to gout. Methods: The TCM System Pharmacology (TCMSP) database was used to collect the main chemical components of QHJR and AGA-related targets for predicting the metabolites in QHJR. HPLC-Q-Orbitrap-MS was employed to identify the ingredients of QHJR. The collected metabolites were then used to construct a Drugs-Targets Network in Cytoscape software, ranked based on their "Degree" of significance. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were screened in the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database using GEO2R online analysis. Subsequently, Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses were performed. The DEGs were utilized to construct a Protein-Protein Interaction (PPI) Network via the STRING database. In vivo experimental validation was conducted using colchicine, QHJR, rapamycin (RAPA), and 3-methyladenine (3-MA) as controls to observe QHJR's efficacy in AGA. Synovial tissues from rats were collected, and qRT-PCR and Western blot assays were employed to investigate Ampk-related factors (Ampk, mTOR, ULK1), autophagy-related factors (Atg5, Atg7, LC3, p62), and inflammatory-related factors (NLRP3). ELISA assays were performed to measure inflammatory-related factor levels (IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α), and H&E staining was used to examine tissue histology. Results: Network analysis screened out a total of 94 metabolites in QHJR for AGA. HPLC-Q-Orbitrap-MS analysis identified 27 of these metabolites. Notably, five metabolites (Neochlorogenic acid, Caffeic acid, Berberine, Isoliquiritigenin, Formononetin) were not associated with any individual herbal component of QHJR in TCMSP database, while six metabolites (quercetin, luteolin, formononetin, naringenin, taxifolin, diosgenin) overlapped with the predicted results from the previous network analysis. Further network analysis highlighted key components, such as Caffeic acid, cis-resveratrol, Apigenin, and Isoliquiritigenin. Other studies have found that their treatment of AGA is achieved through reducing inflammation, consistent with this study, laying the foundation for the mechanism study of QHJR against AGA. PPI analysis identified TNF, IL-6, and IL-1β as hub genes. GO and KEGG analyses indicated that anti-inflammation was a key mechanism in AGA treatment. All methods demonstrated that inflammatory expression increased in the Model group but was reversed by QHJR. Additionally, autophagy-related expression increased following QHJR treatment. The study suggested that AMPKα and p-AMPKα1 proteins were insensitive to 3 MA and RAPA, implying that AMPK may not activate autophagy directly but through ULK1 and mTOR. Conclusion: In conclusion, this study confirms the effectiveness of QHJR, a modified formulation of SMS (a classic traditional Chinese medicine prescription for treating gout), against AGA. QHJR, as a TCM formula, offers advantages such as minimal safety concerns and potential long-term use. The study suggests that the mechanism by which QHJR treats AGA may involve the activation of the AMPK/mTOR/ULK1 pathway, thereby regulating autophagy levels, reducing inflammation, and alleviating AGA. These findings provide new therapeutic approaches and ideas for the clinical treatment of AGA.

Simultaneous determination of multiple constituents, serum composition, and tissue distribution of Qingshen granule using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-orbitrap high-resolution mass spectrometry

Qingshen granule, composed of 14 herbal drugs, is primarily used as the assistant therapy for chronic kidney disease. Qingshen granule chemical composition was complex, but its chemical constituents and the pharmacodynamic material basis remain unreported. Ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC)-quadrupole-orbitrap high-resolution mass spectrometry was applied to recognize the chemical constituents of Qingshen granule. The analysis was performed using the ACQUITY UHPLC BEH C18 column (2.1 × 50 mm, 1.7 μm) with acetonitrile-0.1% formic acid as the mobile phase for gradient elution. The data were collected using heated electrospray ionization in positive and negative ion modes. This study successfully applied the UPHLC-quadrupole-orbitrap high-resolution mass spectrometry technique with the Compound Discoverer 3.3 platform to analyze Qingshen granule chemical composition. A total of 127 and 42 chemical components were identified in Qingshen granule in vitro and in vivo, respectively. In the tissue distribution of Qingshen granule, 9, 10, 11, 10, and 18 prototype components were detected in the heart, liver, spleen, lungs, and kidneys, respectively. Qingshen granule chemical constituents were characterized rapidly for the first time in this study, laying a foundation for further research on the substance basis and quality control of Qingshen granule in treating chronic kidney disease.

Integrated network analysis and metabolomics reveal the molecular mechanism of Yinchen Sini decoction in CCl4-induced acute liver injury

Objective: Yinchen Sini decoction (YCSND), a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formula, plays a crucial role in the treatment of liver disease. However, the bioactive constituents and pharmacological mechanisms of action remain unclear. The present study aimed to reveal the molecular mechanism of YCSND in the treatment of acute liver injury (ALI) using integrated network analysis and metabolomics. Methods: Ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with Q-Exactive focus mass spectrum (UHPLC-QE-MS) was utilized to identify metabolites in YCSND, and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was applied to evaluate the quality of four botanical drugs in YCSND. Cell damage and ALI models in mice were established using CCl4. 1H-NMR metabolomics approach, along with histopathological observation using hematoxylin and eosin (H&E), biochemical measurements, and reverse transcription quantitative real-time PCR (RT-qPCR), was applied to evaluate the effect of YCSND on CCl4- induced ALI. Network analysis was conducted to predict the potential targets of YCSND in ALI. Result: Our results showed that 89 metabolites in YCSND were identified using UHPLC-QE-MS. YCSND protected against ALI by reducing the levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and malondialdehyde (MDA) contents and increasing those of superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione (GSH) both in vivo and in vitro. The 1H-NMRmetabolic pattern revealed that YCSND reversed CCl4-induced metabolic abnormalities in the liver. Additionally, the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genome (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis identified five pathways related to liver injury, including the PI3K-AKT, MAPK, HIF-1, apoptosis, and TNF signaling pathways. Moreover, RT-qPCR showed YCSND regulated the inflammatory response (Tlr4, Il6, Tnfα, Nfκb1, Ptgs2, and Mmp9) and apoptosis (Bcl2, Caspase3, Bax, and Mapk3), and inhibited PI3K-AKT signaling pathway (Pi3k and Akt1). Combined network analysis and metabolomics showed a link between the key targets (Tlr4, Ptgs2, and Mmp9) and vital metabolites (choline, xanthine, lactate, and 3-hydroxybutyric acid) of YCSND in ALI. Conclusion: Overall, the results contribute to the understanding of the therapeutic effects of YCSND on ALI, and indicate that the integrated network analysis and metabolomics could be a powerful strategy to reveal the pharmacological effects of TCM.

Elucidation of the anti-lung cancer mechanism of Juan-Liu-San-Jie prescription based on network pharmacology and experimental validation

Lung cancer is a malignancy characterized by high morbidity and mortality, with lung adenocarcinoma being the most prevalent subtype. Our preliminary studies have demonstrated that the Juan-Liu-San-Jie (JLSJ) prescription, a Traditional Chinese Medicine prescription, possesses anti-lung adenocarcinoma cancer properties. However, the molecular mechanism underlying the therapeutic effects of the JLSJ prescription for lung adenocarcinoma remains incompletely elucidated. To address the knowledge gap, the present study employed network pharmacology to identify potential therapeutic targets. Specifically, the study utilized TCMSP, TCMID, and related references, as well as ChemMapper, to identify and predict the main active components and potential targets. Additionally, differentially expressed genes associated with the disease were obtained from the microarray dataset GSE19804 and GSE118370. The protein-protein Interaction network and Target-pathway network were then constructed. We also conducted Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses, and subsequently presented the top 20 enriched pathways. The results indicated that the anti-lung cancer effects of JLSJ prescription may be attributed to its ability to mediate apoptosis of tumor cells, potentially through the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. Then, a series of in vitro and in vivo experiments were conducted to validate the molecular mechanism predicted by network pharmacology. The findings of the in vivo study suggested that the JLSJ prescription could inhibit the growth of xenograft tumors of lung adenocarcinoma with fewer adverse effects. Also, the in vitro experiments corroborated that the JLSJ prescription could induce apoptosis of A549 cells. Furthermore, the upregulation of pro-apoptosis-related proteins and mRNAs, coupled with the downregulation of anti-apoptotic-related proteins and mRNAs, was observed. In conclusion, inducing apoptosis by inhibiting the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway was one of the underlying mechanisms by which the JLSJ prescription exerted its anti-lung adenocarcinoma effect.

Research Progress of Cordyceps sinensis and Its Fermented Mycelium Products on Ameliorating Renal Fibrosis by Reducing Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition

Renal fibrosis is a hallmark and common outcome of various chronic kidney diseases (CKDs) and manifests pathologically as accumulation and deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM) in the kidney. Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) has been shown to be an important mechanism involved in renal fibrosis. Cordyceps sinensis, a traditional Chinese medicine, has long been used for the treatment of renal fibrosis. As research on the mycelium of C. sinensis progressed, a variety of medicines developed from fermented mycelium were used to treat CKD. However, their efficacies and mechanisms have not been fully summarized. In this review, five medicines developed from fermented mycelium of C. sinensis are presented. The pharmacodynamic effects of C. sinensis on different animal models of renal fibrosis are summarized. The in vitro studies and related mechanisms of C. sinensis on renal cells are detailed. Finally, the application and efficacy of these five commercial medicines that meet national standards in different types of CKD are summarized. From this review, it can be concluded that C. sinensis can alleviate various causes of renal fibrosis to some extent, and its mechanism is related to TGF-β1 dependent signaling, inhibition of inflammation, and improvement of renal function. Further research on rigorously designed, large-sample, clinically randomized controlled trial studies and detailed mechanisms should be conducted.

Uncovering the mechanism of resveratrol in the treatment of diabetic kidney disease based on network pharmacology, molecular docking, and experimental validation

BACKGROUND

Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) has been the leading cause of chronic kidney disease in developed countries. Evidence of the benefits of resveratrol (RES) for the treatment of DKD is accumulating. However, comprehensive therapeutic targets and underlying mechanisms through which RES exerts its effects against DKD are limited.

METHODS

Drug targets of RES were obtained from Drugbank and SwissTargetPrediction Databases. Disease targets of DKD were obtained from DisGeNET, Genecards, and Therapeutic Target Database. Therapeutic targets for RES against DKD were identified by intersecting the drug targets and disease targets. GO functional enrichment analysis, KEGG pathway analysis, and disease association analysis were performed using the DAVID database and visualized by Cytoscape software. Molecular docking validation of the binding capacity between RES and targets was performed by UCSF Chimera software and SwissDock webserver. The high glucose (HG)-induced podocyte injury model, RT-qPCR, and western blot were used to verify the reliability of the effects of RES on target proteins.

RESULTS

After the intersection of the 86 drug targets and 566 disease targets, 25 therapeutic targets for RES against DKD were obtained. And the target proteins were classified into 6 functional categories. A total of 11 cellular components terms and 27 diseases, and the top 20 enriched biological processes, molecular functions, and KEGG pathways potentially involved in the RES action against DKD were recorded. Molecular docking studies showed that RES had a strong binding affinity toward PPARA, ESR1, SLC2A1, SHBG, AR, AKR1B1, PPARG, IGF1R, RELA, PIK3CA, MMP9, AKT1, INSR, MMP2, TTR, and CYP2C9 domains. The HG-induced podocyte injury model was successfully constructed and validated by RT-qPCR and western blot. RES treatment was able to reverse the abnormal gene expression of PPARA, SHBG, AKR1B1, PPARG, IGF1R, MMP9, AKT1, and INSR.

CONCLUSIONS

RES may target PPARA, SHBG, AKR1B1, PPARG, IGF1R, MMP9, AKT1, and INSR domains to act as a therapeutic agent for DKD. These findings comprehensively reveal the potential therapeutic targets for RES against DKD and provide theoretical bases for the clinical application of RES in the treatment of DKD.

Deciphering the pharmacological mechanisms of Rostellularia procumbens (L) Nees. Extract alleviates adriamycin-induced nephropathy in vivo and in vitro

BACKGROUND

Rostellularia procumbens (L) Nees. is an effective traditional Chinese herbal medicine for the treatment of patients with chronic glomerulonephritis (CGN) in the clinic. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms need further elucidation.

PURPOSE

This study aims to investigate the renoprotective mechanisms of n-butanol extract from Rostellularia procumbens (L) Nees. (J-NE) in vivo and in vitro.

METHODS

The components of J-NE were analyzed by UPLC-MS/MS. In vivo, the nephropathy model was induced in mice by tail vein injection with adriamycin (10 mg·kg^-1), and mice were treated with vehicle or J-NE or benazepril by daily gavage. In vitro, MPC5 cells exposed to adriamycin (0.3 μg/ml) were treated with J-NE. The effects of J-NE inhibit podocyte apoptosis and protect against adriamycin-induced nephropathy were determined by Network pharmacology, RNA-seq, qPCR, ELISA, immunoblotting, flow cytometry, and TUNEL assay, according to the experimental protocols.

RESULT

The results showed that treatment significantly improved ADR-induced renal pathological changes, and the therapeutic mechanism of J-NE was related to the inhibition of podocyte apoptosis. Further molecular mechanism studies found that J-NE inhibited inflammation, increase the proteins expression levels of Nephrin and Podocin, reduce TRPC6 and Desmin expression levels and calcium ion levels in podocytes, and decrease the proteins expression levels of PI3K, p-PI3K, Akt and p-Akt to attenuated apoptosis. Furthermore, 38 compounds of J-NE were identified.

CONCLUSION

J-NE exerted the renoprotective effects by inhibiting podocyte apoptosis, which provides effective evidence for the treatment of J-NE targeting renal injury in CGN.

Emodin ameliorates renal injury and fibrosis via regulating the miR-490-3p/HMGA2 axis

Renal fibrosis is a major pathological feature of chronic kidney disease (CKD). While emodin is reported to elicit anti-fibrotic effects on renal injury, little is known about its effects on microRNA (miRNA)-modulated mechanisms in renal fibrosis. In this study, we established a unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) model and a transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1-induced normal rat renal tubular epithelial cell line (NRK-52E) model to investigate the protective effects of emodin on renal fibrosis and its miRNA/target gene mechanisms. Dual-luciferase assay was performed to confirm the direct binding of miRNA and target genes in HEK293 cells. Results showed that oral administration of emodin significantly ameliorated the loss of body weight and the increase in physicochemical parameters, including serum uric acid, creatinine, and urea nitrogen in UUO mice. Inflammatory cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor-α, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, and interleukin (IL)-1β, but not IL-6, were down-regulated by emodin administration. Emodin decreased the expression levels of TGF-β1 and fibrotic-related proteins, including alpha-smooth muscle actin, Collagen IV, and Fibronectin, and increased the expression of E-cadherin. Furthermore, miR-490-3p was decreased in UUO mice and negatively correlated with increased expression of high migration protein A2 (HMGA2). We further confirmed HMGA2 was the target of miR-490-3p. Transfection of miR-490-3p mimics decreased, while transfection of miR-490-3p inhibitors increased fibrotic-related proteins and HMGA2 expression levels in TGF-β1-induced NRK-52E cells. Furthermore, transfection of miR-490-3p mimics enhanced the anti-fibrotic effects of emodin, while transfection of miR-490-3p inhibitors abolished the protective effects of emodin. Thus, as a novel target of emodin that prevents renal fibrosis in the HMGA2-dependent signaling pathway, miR-490-3p has potential implications in CKD pathology.

Network pharmacology and experimental validation to elucidate the pharmacological mechanisms of Bushen Huashi decoction against kidney stones

INTRODUCTION

Kidney stone disease (KS) is a complicated disease with an increasing global incidence. It was shown that Bushen Huashi decoction (BSHS) is a classic Chinese medicine formula that has therapeutic benefits for patients with KS. However, its pharmacological profile and mechanism of action are yet to be elucidated.

METHODS

The present study used a network pharmacology approach to characterize the mechanism by which BSHS affects KS. Compounds were retrieved from corresponding databases, and active compounds were selected based on their oral bioavailability (≥30) and drug-likeness index (≥0.18). BSHS potential proteins were obtained from the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology (TCMSP) database, whereas KS potential genes were obtained from GeneCards and OMIM, TTD, and DisGeNET. Gene ontology and pathway enrichment analysis were used to determine potential pathways associated with genes. The ingredients of BSHS extract were identified by the ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole orbitrap mass spectrometry (UHPLC-Q/Orbitrap MS). The network pharmacology analyses predicted the potential underlying action mechanisms of BSHS on KS, which were further validated experimentally in the rat model of calcium oxalate kidney stones.

RESULTS

Our study found that BSHS reduced renal crystal deposition and improved renal function in ethylene glycol(EG)+ammonium chloride(AC)-induced rats, and also reversed oxidative stress levels and inhibited renal tubular epithelial cell apoptosis in rats. BSHS upregulated protein and mRNA expression of E2, ESR1, ESR2, BCL2, NRF2, and HO-1 in EG+AC-induced rat kidney while downregulating BAX protein and mRNA expression, consistent with the network pharmacology results.

DISCUSSION

This study provides evidence that BSHS plays a critical role in anti-KS via regulation of E2/ESR1/2, NRF2/HO-1, and BCL2/BAX signaling pathways, indicating that BSHS is a candidate herbal drug for further investigation in treating KS.

Stimulation of hair growth by Tianma Gouteng decoction: Identifying mechanisms based on chemical analysis, systems biology approach, and experimental evaluation

Hair serves important physiological functions, including temperature regulation and scalp protection. However, excessive shedding not only impacts these functions but can also significantly affect mental health and quality of life. Tianma Gouteng decoction (TGD) is a traditional Chinese medicine used for the treatment of various conditions, including hair loss. However, the associated mechanism underlying its anti-alopecia effect remains unknown. Therefore, this study aims to elucidate these mechanisms by employing systematic biology approaches, as well as in vitro and in vivo experimental validation. The chemical constituents of Tianma Gouteng decoction were identified using UHPLC-MS/MS, from which 39 potential bioactive components were screened, while an additional 131 putative Tianma Gouteng decoction beneficial components were extracted from the Traditional Chinese Medicine Database and Analysis Platform (TCMSP) database. We then applied a dual-dimensional network pharmacology approach to analyze the data, followed by validation studies combining molecular docking techniques with in vivo and in vitro experiments. From the 39 bioactive components, including quercetin, luteolin, fisetin, wogonin, oroxylin A, boldine, tetrahydroalstonine, and galangin A, 782 corresponding targets were identified. In particular, GSK3β and β-catenin exhibited strong binding activity with the bioactive compounds. Hence, construction of a bioactive component-target network revealed that the mechanism underlying the anti-alopecia mechanism of Tianma Gouteng decoction primarily involved the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. Moreover, C57BL/6J mice exhibited measurable improvements in hair follicle regeneration following treatment with Tianma Gouteng decoction. Additionally, β-catenin and p-GSK3β levels were upregulated, while GSK3β was downregulated in Tianma Gouteng decoction-treated animals and dermal papilla cells compared to control group. These in vivo and in vitro outcomes validated the targets and pathways predicted in the network pharmacology analysis of Tianma Gouteng decoction. This study provides a systematic analysis approach to identify the underlying anti-alopecia mechanisms of Tianma Gouteng decoction, further providing theoretical support for clinical assessment of Tianma Gouteng decoction.

Study on the Mechanism of Radix Astragali against Renal Aging Based on Network Pharmacology

Radix Astragali is widely used in the traditional Chinese medicine with the effect of antiaging. The purpose of this study is to explore the main active ingredients and targets of Radix Astragali against renal aging by network pharmacology and further to verify the mechanism of the main active ingredients in vitro. TCMSP, ETCM, and TCMID databases were used to screen active ingredients of Radix Astragali. Targets of active ingredients were predicted using BATMAN-TCM and cross validated using kidney aging-related genes obtained from GeneCards and NCBI database. Pathways enrichment and protein-protein interaction (PPI) analysis were performed on core targets. Additionally, a pharmacological network was constructed based on the active ingredients-targets-pathways. HK-2 cell was treated with D-galactose to generate a cell model of senescence. CCK-8 and β-galactosidase were used to detect the effect of Radix Astragali active components on cell proliferation and aging. ELISA was used to detect the expression of senescence-associated secreted protein (TGF-β and IL-6) in the cell culture supernatant. Western blot was used to detect the expression of key proteins in the SIRT1/p53 pathway. Five active ingredients (Astragaloside I, II, III, IV and choline) were identified from Radix Astragali, and all these active ingredients target a total of 128 genes. Enrichment analysis showed these genes were implicated in 153 KEGG pathways, including the p53, FoxO, and AMPK pathway. 117 proteins and 572 interactions were found in PPI network. TP53 and SIRT1 were two hub genes in PPI network, which interacted with each other. The pharmacological network showed that the five main active ingredients target on some coincident genes, including TP53 and SIRT1. These targeted genes were involved in the p53, FoxO, and AMPK pathway. Proliferation of HK-2 cells was increased by Astragaloside IV treatment compared with that of the D-Gal treatment group. However, the proliferation of the SA-β-gal positive cells were inhibited. The expression of TGF-β and IL-6 in the D-Gal group was higher than that in the normal group, and the treatment of Astragaloside IV could significantly reduce the expression of TGF-β and IL-6. The expression of SIRT1 in the Astragaloside IV group was higher than that in the D-Gal group. However, the expression of p53 and p21 was less in the Astragaloside IV group than that in the D-Gal group. This study suggested that Astragaloside IV is an important active ingredient of Radix Astragali in the treatment of kidney aging via the SITR1-p53 pathway.

To explore the active constituents of Sedum aizoon L in the treatment of coronary heart disease based on network pharmacology and molecular docking methodology

Background

There is a lack of effective drugs for the treatment of coronary heart disease (CHD). Sedum aizoon L (SL) has multiple effects, and there is no report on CHD in SL at present. The aim of this study is to explore the mechanisms of action of SL in the treatment of CHD based on network pharmacology and molecular docking technology.

Methods

The targets and active ingredients of SL were screened using the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology (TCMSP) database, and CHD-related targets were obtained by searching GeneCards and DisGeNet databases. The intersection of LS active ingredient targets and CHD targets was used to construct a "drug-ingredient-disease-target" network using the Cytoscape software. The STRING database was used to construct a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network, and Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analyses were performed. Key targets and core active ingredients were selected and molecular docking was performed using the AutoDock software.

Results

According to the predicted results, a total of 134 corresponding target genes for LS, 12 active components, 1,704 CHD-related targets, and 52 intersecting targets were obtained. GO function and KEGG pathway analysis showed that the key targets were involved with signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), tumor protein p53 (TP53), and vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA). The molecular docking results showed that the key targets bound to the important active ingredients in a stable conformation. The core active ingredients of LS in the treatment of CHD were determined to be ursolic acid, myricetin, and beta-sitosterol.

Conclusions

SL may act on targets such as STAT3, TP53, and VEGFA through tumor necrosis factor (TNF) signaling pathway, interleukin 17A (IL-17A) signaling pathway, AGE-RAGE signaling pathway in diabetic complications, and other related pathways, thereby playing a role in preventing and treating CHD.

The Effectiveness and Safety of Abelmoschus manihot in Treating IgA Nephropathy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Introduction

IgA nephropathy (IgAN) is a common issue. In China, Abelmoschus manihot (AM) is widely used in the treatment of IgAN. However, their combined effectiveness and safety for this purpose have not yet been explored. AM is an effective medicine for treating IgAN. This meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of AM for IgAN.

Materials and Methods

The Cochrane Library, PubMed, EMBASE, Allied and Complementary Medicine Database (AMED), Chinese Biomedical Literature Database (CBM), Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure Database (CNKI), Chinese Science and Technique Journals Database (VIP), and the Wanfang Database were searched from their inceptions to June 2021. Random clinical trials (RCTs) comparing the effects of AM treatment in patients with IgAN were included. The study evaluated the efficacy or effectiveness of AM for IgAN and had clear outcome data, such as total effectiveness rate or proteinuria.

Results

A total of 11 RCTs with 850 participants were included in this meta-analysis. The results of the meta-analysis showed that, compared with that of the conventional therapy alone, being combined with conventional treatment was significantly more effective for the total efficacy rate (OR = 4.33; 95% CI = 2.66, 7.04; P < 0.00001) and proteinuria (MD = -0.41 g/24 h; 95% CI = -0.44, -0.38; P < 0.00001) but had no effect on serum creatinine (Scr) (MD = -2.23 μmol/L; 95% CI = -5.90, 1.45; P=0.24), eGFR (MD = -0.45 mL/min·1.73 m2; 95% CI = -1.24, 2.13; P=0.60), Bun (MD = -0.22 mmol/L; 95% CI = -0.59, 0.14; P=0.23), systolic blood pressure (MD = -0.04 mmHg; 95% CI = -2.59, 2.51; P=0.98), diastolic blood pressure (MD = -0.34 mmHg, 95% CI = -1.65, 2.33; P=0.74), systolic blood pressure (MD = -0.04 mmHg, 95% CI = -2.59, 2.51; P=0.98), or serum albumin (MD = 1.70 g/L, 95% CI = -1.06, 4.45; P=0.23).

Conclusions

AM provided additional benefits to proteinuria individuals with IgAN. However, due to the high clinical heterogeneity and small sample size of the included trials, future studies should conduct more rigorous RCTs on the clinical efficacy and safety of AM and RCTs with a larger sample size involving multicenters.

Chuan Huang Fang combining reduced glutathione in treating acute kidney injury (grades 1–2) on chronic kidney disease (stages 2–4): A multicenter randomized controlled clinical trial

Lack of effective drugs for acute kidney injury (AKI) grades 1–2 is a crucial challenge in clinic. Our previously single-center clinical studies indicated Chuan Huang Fang (CHF) might have nephroprotection in AKI on chronic kidney disease (CKD) (A on C) patients by preventing oxidant damage and inhibiting inflammation. Reduced glutathione (RG) has recently been shown to increase the clinical effectiveness of high-flux hemodialysis among patients with severe AKI. In this multicenter randomized controlled clinical study, we designed a new protocol to assess the efficacy and safety of CHF combining RG in patients with A on C. We also explored therapeutic mechanisms from renal fibrosis biomarkers. 98 participants were randomly and equally divided into the RG and RG + CHF subgroups. The RG and RG + CHF groups received general treatments with RG and a combination of RG and CHF, respectively. The therapy lasted for 2 weeks. In this study, the primary assessment result was a difference in the slope of serum creatinine (Scr) over the course of 2 weeks. The secondary evaluation outcomes were alterations in blood urea nitrogen (BUN), uric acid (UA), estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), urinary AKI biomarkers, renal fibrosis biomarkers (transforming growth factor-β₁ (TGF-β₁), connective tissue growth factor (CTGF)), and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) symptoms. Furthermore, vital signs and adverse events (AEs) were observed. Both groups had a slower renal function decline after treatment than before treatment. Compared with RG group, more reductions of Scr, BUN, UA, and better improvement of eGFR were observed in RG + CHF group (p < 0.05). Additionally, the levels of urinary AKI biomarkers, renal fibrosis biomarkers, and TCM syndromes were decreased in RG + CHF group versus RG group (p < 0.05). No significant between-group differences were observed of AEs. We thus concluded this novel therapy of CHF combining RG might be a useful method for treating A on C patients.

Melatonin through blockade of Hif-1α signaling mediates the anti-fibrosis under hypoxia in canine Sertoli cells

The hypoxic microenvironment of cryptorchidism is an important factor in the impairment and fibrosis of Sertoli cells which result in blood-testis barrier (BTB) destruction and spermatogenesis loss. Recent studies have shown that melatonin, a well-known pineal hormone exerts beneficial effects against pathological fibrosis in a various of organs. However, it is still unknown whether melatonin can regulate hypoxia-induced fibrosis of Sertoli cells. In this study we evaluate melatonin levels, and its synthesizing enzymes, AANAT and HIOMT expression patterns in canine cryptorchidism and contralateral normal testis. Results show abdominal testes presented low melatonin levels and AANAT and HIOMT expression compared with testes located in the scrotum. Moreover, we established a hypoxia-induced fibrosis model in canine Sertoli cells induced by cobalt chloride (CoCl₂) and found that melatonin inhibited the EMT markers expression and ECM production as well as Hif-1α expression of Sertoli cells in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, use of Lificiguat (synonyms YC-1, Hif-1α inhibitor) to interfere with the Hif-1α pathway showed a similar effect with melatonin suppression of the fibrosis in Sertoli cells. The results indicate that melatonin supplementation can alleviate the fibrosis process of Sertoli cells caused by hypoxia, which is associated with regulating the inhibition of Hif-1α signaling.

Mechanisms of Zhenwu decoction for the treatment of renal fibrosis at various stages: What is the role of Corynebacterium?

Many studies demonstrated that Zhenwu decoction (ZWD) is effective in the treatment of kidney fibrosis, whereas the mechanism remains unclear. In this work, a microbiomics-based strategy was used to investigate the mechanism of protective effects of ZWD on kidney fibrosis. Unilateral ureteral obstruction was used to replicate a rat model of renal fibrosis, and rats were divided into prophylactic, early, and progression stages according to the timing of administration. Feces was collected to perform microbiota evaluation by high-throughput 16S DNA sequencing. The results indicated that Corynebacterium, Alistipes, Dorea, and Lactonifactor were highlighted as key targeted flora of ZWD in the treatment of renal fibrosis, and their biological functions were related to inflammation, immunity, and renal excretion. Especially, Corynebacterium presented a significant positive correlation with the concentration of Cys-C, Scr, and BUN. The studies on the changes in inflammatory cytokines (INF-γ, IL-1β, IL-4, and TNF-α) and immunoglobulin (IgA, IgM, and IgG) confirmed the beneficial effects of ZWD on kidney fibrosis. Therefore, this study confirmed the protective effect of ZWD against renal fibrosis at various disease stages, and its mechanism was associated with re-establishing dysbiosis of the intestinal microbiota, reducing inflammation, as well as regulating immune functions. In particular, Corynebacterium may be a key flora in the treatment of renal fibrosis.

Network Pharmacology and Molecular Docking Elucidate the Underlying Pharmacological Mechanisms of the Herb Houttuynia cordata in Treating Pneumonia Caused by SARS-CoV-2

Used in Asian countries, including China, Japan, and Thailand, Houttuynia cordata Thumb (H. cordata; Saururaceae, HC) is a traditional herbal medicine that possesses favorable antiviral properties. As a potent folk therapy used to treat pulmonary infections, further research is required to fully elucidate the mechanisms of its pharmacological activities and explore its therapeutic potential for treating pneumonia caused by SARS-CoV-2. This study explores the pharmacological mechanism of HC on pneumonia using a network pharmacological approach combined with reprocessing expression profiling by high-throughput sequencing to demonstrate the therapeutic mechanisms of HC for treating pneumonia at a systemic level. The integration of these analyses suggested that target factors are involved in four signaling pathways, including PI3K-Akt, Jak-STAT, MAPK, and NF-kB. Molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation were applied to verify these results, indicating a stable combination between four metabolites (Afzelin, Apigenin, Kaempferol, Quercetin) and six targets (DPP4, ELANE, HSP90AA1, IL6, MAPK1, SERPINE1). These natural metabolites have also been reported to bind with ACE2 and 3CLpro of SARS-CoV-2, respectively. The data suggest that HC exerts collective therapeutic effects against pneumonia caused by SARS-CoV-2 and provides a theoretical basis for further study of the active drug-like ingredients and mechanism of HC in treating pneumonia.

Protective effects of the Bupi Yishen formula on renal fibrosis through PI3K/AKT signaling inhibition

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

The Bupi Yishen Formula (BYF) is a patented Chinese herbal compound that has been long used to treat chronic kidney disease (CKD) in the clinic. However, its main active ingredients and underlying mechanisms remain to be elucidated.

AIM

Identify the major active ingredients of BYF and investigate its protective effects and specific molecular mechanisms in renal fibrosis.

METHODS

First, we performed network pharmacology analysis combined with molecular docking to predict the main active compounds, potential therapeutic targets, and intervention pathways that might exert the anti-fibrotic effect of BYF in the kidney. Then, we validated the predictions in both adenine-induced CKD rats and TGFβ1-induced HK-2 cells.

RESULTS

A total of 233 common targets, 25 core targets, and 10 main active compounds from BYF were selected by network pharmacology analyses. Then, GO and KEGG functional enrichment analyses indicated that the renoprotection conferred by BYF against renal fibrosis was mainly associated with the PI3K/AKT signaling. Besides, the molecular docking showed that the 10 main active compounds of BYF were closely docked with three main PI3K/AKT pathway proteins. During the experimental validations, BYF improved renal impairment and alleviated fibrosis by inhibiting the PI3K/AKT signaling activity in the kidney of adenine-induced CKD model rats. Moreover, increased PI3K/AKT signaling activation was associated with fibrotic phenotype changes in adenine-induced CKD rats and TGFβ1-induced HK-2 cells. On the other hand, BYF treatment reduced PI3K/AKT signaling activation and decreased renal fibrogenesis in a dose-dependent manner, thereby indicating that PI3K/AKT signaling was essential for BYF to exert its anti-fibrotic effects. Finally, the inhibitory effect of BYF on renal fibrogenesis was not enhanced while blocking the PI3K/AKT pathway with a broad spectrum PI3K inhibitor (LY294002).

CONCLUSION

In the present study, we applied a comprehensive strategy based on systemic pharmacology to reveal the anti-fibrotic mechanisms of BYF, at least partially, through the inhibition of PI3K/AKT signaling activation. We also identified BYF as a potential therapeutic agent for renal fibrosis and CKD progression.

Ginsenoside Rb1 Ameliorated Bavachin-Induced Renal Fibrosis via Suppressing Bip/eIF2α/CHOP Signaling-Mediated EMT

The nephrotoxicity of Fructus Psoraleae, an effective traditional Chinese medicine for vitiligo treatment, has been reported. As one of the main toxic components in Fructus Psoraleae, bavachin (BV) was considered to be related to Fructus Psoraleae-caused adverse outcomes, but the direct evidence and molecular mechanism underlying BV-induced nephrotoxicity are not well elucidated. Therefore, this study was designed to confirm whether BV would cause toxic effects on the kidney and explore the possible mode of action. Our results demonstrated that days’ treatment with 0.5 μM BV indeed caused obvious renal fibrosis in the zebrafish kidney. The obvious E- to N-cadherin switch and the expressions of proteins promoting epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) were observed in BV-treated human renal tubular epithelial and zebrafish kidneys. In addition, elevated reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and Bip/eIF2α/CHOP-mediated endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and the unfolded protein response (UPR) were caused by BV, both of which could be reversed by ROS scavenger N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC). Also, blocking ER stress-caused cytoplasmic Ca2+ overload with 4-PBA notably alleviated BV-induced alterations in key molecular events related to EMT and renal fibrosis. Furthermore, of the natural compounds subjected to screening, ginsenoside Rb1 significantly downregulated BV-induced ER stress by inhibiting ROS generation and following the activation of Bip/eIF2α/CHOP signaling in HK2 cells. Subsequently, BV-triggered EMT and renal fibrosis were both ameliorated by ginsenoside Rb1. In summary, our findings suggested that BV-induced ROS promoted the appearance of EMT and renal fibrosis mainly via Bip/eIF2α/CHOP-mediated ER stress. This ER stress-related toxic pathway might be a potential intervention target for BV-caused renal fibrosis, and ginsenoside Rb1 would be a promising drug against BV- or Fructus Psoraleae-induced nephrotoxicity.

Jinlian Xiaodu Decoction Protects against Bleomycin-Induced Pulmonary Fibrosis in Rats

Background

Jinlian Xiaodu Decoction (JXD) was reported to have anti-inflammatory and lung protection effects. This study aimed to explore the role and mechanism of JXD on bleomycin (BLM)-induced pulmonary fibrosis (PF).

Methods

The UHPLC-Q/TOF-MS system was applied to analyze JXD composition. The PF model was established by BLM intratracheal administration in Wistar rats. Subsequently, BLM-treated rats were intragastrically administered with dexamethasone (DXM, 1 g/kg/d) or JXD (3.5, 7 or 14 g/kg/d). Next, the lung coefficient was calculated; H&E, Masson, and TUNEL staining were used for lung morphological analysis and apoptosis assessment. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) biochemical analysis was conducted to count the inflammatory cell number. The expression of inflammatory factors mRNA in the lung tissue and BALF were measured by qRT-PCR. The content and activity of oxidative stress-related proteins were detected. The expression of PF-related, apoptosis-related, and TGF-β1 pathway-related protein were assessed by immunohistochemistry or Western blot.

Results

Twenty-six compounds were identified from JXD in both negative and positive ion modes. In BLM-induced rats, JXD reduced the lung coefficient and alleviated PF injury. JXD decreased inflammatory cell count and TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, and MCP-1 content. Meanwhile, JXD blunted BLM-induced oxidative stress and a high level of HYP. Furthermore, TUNEL analysis found that JXD inhibited cell apoptosis and increased Bcl-2/Bax ratio in BLM-induced lung. Moreover, JXD relieved the role of BLM on α-SMA, TGF-β1, collagen I, fibronectin, E-cadherin protein expression, and the phosphorylation of Smad2/3 in PF rat.

Conclusion

This study revealed the protective effect and possible element of JXD on BLM-caused PF.

Therapeutic potential of traditional Chinese medicine for vascular endothelial growth factor

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is the main regulator of physiological angiogenesis during embryonic development, bone growth, and reproductive function, and it also participates in a series of pathological changes. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), with a history of more than 2000 years, has been widely used in clinical practice, while the exploration of its mechanisms has only begun. This review summarizes the research of recent years on the influence of TCM on VEGF. It is found that many Chinese medicines and recipes have a regulatory effect on VEGF, indicating that Chinese medicine has broad prospects as a complementary and alternative therapy, providing new treatment ideas for clinical applications and the theoretical basis for research on the mechanisms of TCM.

Anticolon Cancer Targets and Molecular Mechanisms of Tao-He-Cheng-Qi Formula

Background

Tao-He-Cheng-Qi Formula (THCQF) is a traditional Chinese medicine that has been proven to have antitumor effects. The aim of this study was to elucidate the molecular targets and mechanisms of THCQF against colon cancer and construct a prognostic model based on network pharmacology, bioinformatics analysis, and in vitro experiments.

Methods

Potential THCQF compounds and targets were retrieved from the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology and Bioinformatics Analysis Tool for Molecular Mechanism of Traditional Chinese Medicine databases. Differentially expressed genes for colon cancer were screened in The Cancer Genome Atlas and Gene Expression Omnibus databases. The anticolon cancer mechanisms of THCQF were explored using Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses. Molecular docking simulations and molecular dynamics analysis were used to evaluate the binding between target proteins and active compounds. Finally, the identified compounds were used to treat colon cancer cells from the HCT116 cell line, and expression of mRNA and protein after relevant posttreatment were tested using real-time polymerase chain reaction and western blotting.

Results

A total of 27 anticolon cancer targets of THCQF were selected, among which four genes (CCNB1, CCNA2, IL1A, and MMP3) were shown to effectively predict patient outcomes in a prognostic colon cancer model. GO and KEGG enrichment analyses indicated that the activity against colon cancer of THCQF was associated with the interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-3 signaling pathways. Two compounds in THCQF, aloe emodin (AE) and quercetin (QR), were shown to efficiently bind to cyclin B1, the protein encoded by CCNB1. Finally, incubation of HCT116 cells with AE and QR significantly decreased CCNB1 mRNA expression and cyclin B1 levels.

Conclusions

Taken together, the results indicate that AE and QR are the pivotal active compounds of THCQF, and CCNB1 is the main molecular target through which THCQF exerts its anticolon cancer effects. The study findings provide insight for studies investigating the anticancer effects of other traditional Chinese medicines.

Exploration of Q-Marker of Rhubarb Based on Intelligent Data Processing Techniques and the AUC Pooled Method

Rhubarb, as a traditional Chinese medicine, has several positive therapeutic effects, such as purging and attacking accumulation, clearing heat and purging fire, cooling blood, and detoxification. Recently, Rhubarb has been used in prescriptions for the prevention and treatment of COVID-19, with good efficacy. However, the exploration of effective quantitative approach to ensure the consistency of rhubarb’s therapeutic efficacy remains a challenge. In this case, this study aims to use non-targeted and targeted data mining technologies for its exploration and has comprehensively identified 72 rhubarb-related components in human plasma for the first time. In details, the area under the time-concentration curve (AUC)-pooled method was used to quickly screen the components with high exposure, and the main components were analyzed using Pearson correlation and other statistical analyses. Interestingly, the prototype component (rhein) with high exposure could be selected out as a Q-marker, which could also reflect the metabolic status changes of rhubarb anthraquinone in human. Furthermore, after comparing the metabolism of different species, mice were selected as model animals to verify the pharmacodynamics of rhein. The in vivo experimental results showed that rhein has a positive therapeutic effect on pneumonia, significantly reducing the concentration of pro-inflammatory factors [interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-1β] and improving lung disease. In short, based on the perspective of human exposure, this study comprehensively used intelligent data post-processing technologies and the AUC-pooled method to establish that rhein can be chosen as a Q-marker for rhubarb, whose content needs to be monitored individually.

Yishen Qingli Heluo Granule in the Treatment of Chronic Kidney Disease: Network Pharmacology Analysis and Experimental Validation

Background

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is considered a global public health problem with high morbidity and mortality. Yishen Qingli Heluo granule (YQHG) is representative traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) remedy for clinical treatment of CKD. This study aims to explore the mechanism of YQHG on CKD through network pharmacology and experimental validation.

Methods

Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology (TCMSP) database and wide-scale literature mining were applied to screen active compounds of YQHG. Multiple bioinformatic tools and online databases were applied by us to obtain relevant targets of YQHG and CKD. The intersection targets between YQHG and CKD were considered as candidate targets. The compound-target, herb-candidate target and protein–protein interaction networks were constructed and visualized for topological analyses. GO and KEGG enrichment analyses were conducted to determine the biological processes and signaling pathways. Molecular docking was used to verify the reliability of network pharmacology. Finally, pharmacological evaluation was performed to explore the mechanism of YQHG against CKD on a 5/6 nephrectomy model.

Results

Seventy-nine candidate targets, ten core biological processes and one key signaling pathway (p53) were screened. PTGS2 was identified as a key target based on H-CT network. The molecular docking showed that Quercetin, Kaempferol, Luteolin were three key compounds with the best binding activity. In addition, IL6 and Quercetin could form a stable complex with high binding affinity (−7.29 kcal/mol). In vivo experiment revealed that YQHG improved kidney function and fibrosis in 5/6 nephrectomized rats. Moreover, the decreased expression of PTGS2, IL6, and the increased expression of p53 were observed in kidney tissue. Notably, the gut microbiota of rats treated with YQHG was reshaped, which was characterized by a reduced ratio of Firmicutes/Bacteroidota.

Conclusion

Our results predicted and verified the potential targets of YQHG on CKD from a holistic perspective, and provided valuable direction for the further research of YQHG.

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Effect of Yang He Decoction on Treatment of Bone Tuberculosis via Phosphoinositide 3-Kinases/Protein Kinase B and Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Signaling Pathways

Yang He Decoction (YHD), a classical Chinese medicine prescription, is used to treat bone and joint diseases. However, there are few mechanism studies for YHD on the use of YHD to treat bone tuberculosis (BT) and the corresponding mechanism of action of YHD. In the present study, the chemical ingredients of YHD and targets of the ingredients were revealed by a network pharmacology method, and an ingredient–target–disease network was visualized and analyzed. Then, gene ontology enrichment analysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway enrichment analysis were carried out. In addition, molecular docking was performed to clarify the binding of the key active ingredients of YHD to the key targets. Further, an in vitro model of Mycobacterium tuberculosis-induced BT was established, and a mechanism for the inhibitory effect of YHD on the differentiation of RAW 264.7 cells into osteoclasts was investigated. A total of 138 active ingredients in YHD and 50 targets between YHD ingredients and BT were identified. The phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase–protein kinase B (PI3K–Akt) and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathways were the key pathways involved in the anti-BT effect of YHD. Moreover, the in vitro results showed that YHD inhibited the differentiation of RAW 264.7 cells into osteoclasts. YHD decreased the levels of tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-1β, increased the levels of superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxide, and decreased the level of malondialdehyde. Further, YHD inhibited the protein and messenger RNA expression of PI3K/Akt, p38 MAPK, and c-Jun N-terminal kinase. These findings show that YHD is a promising anti-BT agent that suppresses the PI3K/Akt and MAPK signaling pathways to inhibit the differentiation of RAW 264.7 cells into osteoclasts and ameliorate inflammation and oxidative stress.

XSSJS inhibits hepatic fibrosis by promoting the mir29b-3p/VEGFA axis in vitro and in vivo

Hepatic pathological angiogenesis (HPA) is the key event of hepatic fibrosis (HF). Xueshisanjia powder (XSSJS), a Chinese herbal compound, is beneficial for alleviating pathological angiogenesis of hepatic tissue. The present study attempts to reveal the effect and mechanism of XSSJS via regulating miR-29b-3p/VEGFA axis against pathological angiogenesis in HF. In in vitro model, human embryonic kidney 293T cells were transfected with miR-29b-3p mimics, whereby the expression of miR-29b-3p was tested by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), ensued by Luciferase assay determining the relationship between miR-29b-3p and vascular endothelial cell growth factor A (VEGFA). In addition, miR-29b-3p mimic transfected into the activated hepatic stellate cell T6 (HSC-T6). The Cell-Counting-Kit 8 (CCK8) and 5-Bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) staining were first utilized to detect the antiproliferative efficiency of XSSJS following the XSSJS compound serum intervention, and then used to observe the expression of transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), VEGFA, platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) via RT-PCR, Western blot (WB), and Immunofluorescence (IF) methods. During the in vivo model, XSSJS with boil-free granules were fed to Wistar rats with liver fibrosis caused by intraperitoneal injection of pig serum followed by the transfection of miR-29b-3p adeno-associated virus (AAV). Hematoxylin–Eosin (HE) staining was used for histopathology assessment. The expression of miR-29b-3p, VEGFA, PDGF, TGF-β have been investigated in liver tissue using RT-PCR, WB, IF. The results verified that XSSJS could up-regulate miR-29b-3p and suppress the expression of VEGFA, PDGA, and TGF-β. In mechanism, miR-29b-3p primarily targeted the 3′UTR of VEGFA. In conclusion, XSSJS could modulate miR-29b-3p/VEGFA axis to inhibit the pathological angiogenesis of HF.

Molecular mechanisms underlying the role of hypoxia-inducible factor-1 α in metabolic reprogramming in renal fibrosis

Renal fibrosis is the result of renal tissue damage and repair response disorders. If fibrosis is not effectively blocked, it causes loss of renal function, leading to chronic renal failure. Metabolic reprogramming, which promotes cell proliferation by regulating cellular energy metabolism, is considered a unique tumor cell marker. The transition from oxidative phosphorylation to aerobic glycolysis is a major feature of renal fibrosis. Hypoxia-inducible factor-1 α (HIF-1α), a vital transcription factor, senses oxygen status, induces adaptive changes in cell metabolism, and plays an important role in renal fibrosis and glucose metabolism. This review focuses on the regulation of proteins related to aerobic glycolysis by HIF-1α and attempts to elucidate the possible regulatory mechanism underlying the effects of HIF-1α on glucose metabolism during renal fibrosis, aiming to provide new ideas for targeted metabolic pathway intervention in renal fibrosis.

Identification of Chemical Components of Qi-Fu-Yin and Its Prototype Components and Metabolites in Rat Plasma and Cerebrospinal Fluid via UPLC-Q-TOF-MS

Qi-Fu-Yin, a traditional Chinese medicine formula, has been used to treat Alzheimer's disease (AD, a neurodegenerative disorder) in clinical setting. In this study, the chemical components of Qi-Fu-Yin and its prototype components and metabolites in rat plasma and cerebrospinal fluid, after oral administration, were preliminarily characterized via ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF-MS). A total of 180 compounds, including saponins, flavonoids, organic acids, sucrose esters, oligosaccharide esters, phthalides, phenylethanoid glycosides, alkaloids, xanthones, terpene lactones, ionones, and iridoid glycoside, were tentatively characterized. For the first time, 51 prototypical components and 26 metabolites, including saponins, phthalides, flavonoids, sucrose esters, organic acids, alkaloids, ionones, terpene lactones, iridoid glycoside, and their derivatives, have been tentatively identified in the plasma. Furthermore, 10 prototypical components (including butylidenephthalide, butylphthalide, 20(S)-ginsenoside Rh₁, 20(R)-ginsenoside Rh₁, and zingibroside R₁) and 6 metabolites were preliminarily characterized in cerebrospinal fluid. These results were beneficial to the discovery of the active components of Qi-Fu-Yin anti-AD.

Integrating bioinformatics with pharmacological evaluation for illustrating the action mechanism of herbal formula Jiao'e mixture in suppressing lung carcinoma

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Lung carcinoma (LC) is not only a kind of disease that seriously threatens human life but also an intractable problem in modern medicine. Jiao'e Mixture (JEM) is an innovative Chinese medicine formula with Chinese patent, which is composed of two herbal extracts with a specific ratio-zedoary turmeric oil and medicinal Zanthoxylum bungeanum Maxim(Z. bungeanum Maxim) seeds oil (ZMSO). Zedoary turmeric oil is extracted from dried rhizomes of Curcuma wenyujin Y.H.Chen et C. Ling, which has been reported have an anti-cancer effects. Medicinal ZMSO is a by-product of Z. bungeanum Maxim, refined from kernel shell separation, modern cold soaking and refining technology; JEM is used to treat Lung carcinoma (LC) patients in folk for many years. However, its therapeutic mechanisms for treating LC have not been fully explored.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The purpose of this study was to explore the therapeutic mechanisms of JEM for treating LC.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The action mechanism of JEM in LC treatment was analysed by comprehensive network pharmacology approach combined with experimental validation (in vivo and in vitro).

RESULTS

Seventeen active compounds and 457 related targets were collected from the HERB, TCMSP, and Swiss Target Prediction platforms. Nine hundred and thirty-eight LC related targets were obtained from Gene Cards and OMIM databases. Finally, 140 overlapping targets were obtained, which representing the target of JEM in LC treatment. The pathway analysis showed that PI3K-AKT could be a potential pathway for JEM in LC treatment. In vivo results presented that JEM had a good effect in inhibiting the growth of LC tumour cells with high efficacy and low toxicity. In vitro experiments validated that JEM had inhibited LC cells' proliferation, migration and invasion, and had induced cell apoptosis mainly via PI3K/Akt signalling pathways.

CONCLUSION

The anti-LC activity of JEM might via regulating the PI3K-AKT signalling pathways.This study may provide further evidence for the potential use of JEM in LC treatment.

Modular pharmacology-based approach to identify hub genes and kernel pathways of taodan granules treated psoriasis

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Taodan granules (TDG) have been observed to decrease interleukins, or psoriasis area and severity index (PASI) score for psoriasis vulgaris, without significant adverse events. However, the regulatory network remains elucidated.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The objective is to identify critical genes and kernel pathways of TDG treated psoriasis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Firstly, construct a network of components-targets of TDG using network pharmacology. Secondly, the ClusterONE algorithm was used to build a modular network and identify critical genes and corresponding pathways. Thirdly, the critical genes and kernel pathways were verified in imiquimod (IMQ) induced psoriasis-like mice model.

RESULTS

The results validated that TDG downregulated the mRNA expression of MMP2 (degree = 5, P < 0.05), IL6 (degree = 9, P < 0.05), TNF (degree = 14, P < 0.05), CCL2 (degree = 8, P < 0.05), CXCL2 (degree = 8, P < 0.05), IL1B (degree = 9, P < 0.05), and JUN (degree = 9, P < 0.05), while upregulated IL10 (degree = 8) expression. Besides, TDG were observed to regulate IL17 signaling pathway and TNF signaling pathway (size = 18), via the skin tissue homogenate of psoriasis-like mice.

CONCLUSION

In summary, this study identified the potential targets and pathways, providing additional evidence for the clinical application of TDG treated psoriasis.

A combined network pharmacology and molecular biology approach to investigate the active ingredients and potential mechanisms of mulberry (Morus alba L.) leaf on obesity

BACKGROUND

As one of traditional Chinese medicine, mulberry leaf is abundant in diverse active ingredients and widely used for the treatment of metabolic disease and its complications. However, there are a few of reports on its application in the prevention and treatment of obesity. And the molecular mechanism on the anti-obesity of mulberry leaf are unknown till now.

PURPOSE

The present study aimed to evaluate the potential ingredients and targets of mulberry leaf and uncover the anti-obesity mechanisms by using the network pharmacology tactics and verify its effect by biological experiments.

STUDY DESIGN

Active ingredients and key targets of mulberry leaf, genes related to obesity were screened through public database. Based on the results of network pharmacology, the flavonoids-enriched fraction of mulberry leaf (MLF) was extracted and composition of this fraction was identified. After that, HepG2 cells model of lipid accumulation was established for verifying the effect of MLF and related mechanisms.

RESULTS

A total of 37 active ingredients in mulberry leaf, 192 predicted biological targets and 8813 obesity-related targets were determined, of which 180 overlapping targets might have obvious curative effects on obesity. The networks showed that mulberry leaf might play a role through key targets, such as AKT, MAPK and IL-6, and regulated PI3K-Akt signaling pathway. Based on HPLC-ESI-QQQ-MS analysis, 13 constituents of MLF were identified, including 9 flavonoids. Furthermore, HepG2 cells model of lipid accumulation was established. The results indicated that MLF treatment could down-regulate the secretion of inflammatory cytokines, as well as clearly inhibited lipid droplets formation and alleviated TC, TG, HDL-C and LDL-C levels. Positive effect was observed on hypolipidemic efficacy due to the regulation of PI3K/Akt/Bcl-xl pathway, as indicated by the amelioration of PI3K, Akt and Bcl-xl gene and protein expression.

CONCLUSION

This study firstly systematically disclose the multi-ingredients, multi-targets mechanisms of mulberry leaf on obesity by using network pharmacology approach, and validate in HepG2 cells that the protective effect of MLF against obesity involved both inflammation response and lipid metabolism involving PI3K/Akt/Bcl-xl signaling pathway. It provides indications for further mechanistic research of mulberry leaf and also for the development as a potential candidate for the therapy for obese patients.