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Wang Y, Tan N, Su R, Liu Z, Hu N, Dong Q. Exploring the Potential Mechanisms of Action of Gentiana Veitchiorum Hemsl. Extract in the Treatment of Cholestasis using UPLC-MS/MS, Systematic Network Pharmacology, and Molecular Docking. Comb Chem High Throughput Screen 2024; 27:1948-1968. [PMID: 38357941 DOI: 10.2174/0113862073275657231210055250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2023] [Revised: 11/10/2023] [Accepted: 11/16/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Gentiana veitchiorum Hemsl. (GV) has a long history in Tibetan medicine for treating hepatobiliary disease cholestasis. However, the mechanisms mediating its efficacy in treating cholestasis have yet to be determined. AIM To elucidate the mechanisms of action of GV in the treatment of cholestasis, an integrated approach combining ultra performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) analysis with network pharmacology was established. MATERIALS AND METHODS A comprehensive analysis of the chemical composition of GV was achieved by UPLC-MS/MS. Subsequently, a network pharmacology method that integrated target prediction, a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network, gene set enrichment analysis, and a component- target-pathway network was established, and finally, molecular docking and experiments in vitro were conducted to verify the predicted results. RESULTS Twenty compounds that were extracted from GV were identified by UPLC-MS/MS analysis. Core proteins such as AKT1, TNF, and IL6 were obtained through screening in the Network pharmacology PPI network. The Kyoto Encyclopedia of the Genome (KEGG) pathway predicted that GV could treat cholestasis by acting on signaling pathways such as TNF/IL-17 / PI3K-Akt. Network pharmacology suggested that GV might exert a therapeutic effect on cholestasis by regulating the expression levels of inflammatory mediators, and the results were further confirmed by the subsequent construction of an LPS-induced RAW 264.7 cell model. CONCLUSIONS In this study, UPLC-MS/MS analysis, network pharmacology, and experiment validation were used to explore potential mechanisms of action of GV in the treatment of cholestasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Wang
- Medical College of Qinghai University, Xining, 810016, China
| | - Nixia Tan
- Medical College of Qinghai University, Xining, 810016, China
| | - Rong Su
- Medical College of Qinghai University, Xining, 810016, China
| | - Zhenhua Liu
- Medical College of Qinghai University, Xining, 810016, China
| | - Na Hu
- Qinghai Provincial Key Laboratory of Tibetan Medicine Research and CAS Key Laboratory of Tibetan Medicine Research, Northwest Institute of Plateau Biology, Qinghai, China
| | - Qi Dong
- Qinghai Provincial Key Laboratory of Tibetan Medicine Research and CAS Key Laboratory of Tibetan Medicine Research, Northwest Institute of Plateau Biology, Qinghai, China
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Zhang Y, Xi Y, Yang C, Gong W, Wang C, Wu L, Wang D. Short-Chain Fatty Acids Attenuate 5-Fluorouracil-Induced THP-1 Cell Inflammation through Inhibiting NF-κB/NLRP3 Signaling via Glycerolphospholipid and Sphingolipid Metabolism. Molecules 2023; 28:molecules28020494. [PMID: 36677551 PMCID: PMC9864921 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28020494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2022] [Revised: 12/26/2022] [Accepted: 12/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) is a common anti-tumor drug, but there is no effective treatment for its side effect, intestinal mucositis. The inflammatory reaction of macrophages in intestinal mucosa induced by 5-FU is an important cause of intestinal mucositis. In this study, we investigated the anti-inflammatory effects of the three important short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), including sodium acetate (NaAc), sodium propionate (NaPc), and sodium butyrate (NaB), on human mononuclear macrophage-derived THP-1 cells induced by 5-FU. The expressions of intracellular ROS, pro-inflammatory/anti-inflammatory cytokines, as well as the nuclear factor-κB/NLR family and pyrin domain-containing protein 3 (NF-κB/NLRP3) signaling pathway proteins were determined. Furthermore, the cell metabolites were analyzed by untargeted metabolomics techniques. Our results revealed that the three SCFAs inhibited pro-inflammatory factor expressions, including IL-1β and IL-6, when treated with 5-FU (p < 0.05). The ROS expression and NF-κB activity of 5-FU-treated THP-1 cells were inhibited by the three SCFAs pre-incubated (p < 0.05). Moreover, NLRP3 knockdown abolished 5-FU-induced IL-1β expression (p < 0.05). Further experiments showed that the three SCFAs affected 20 kinds of metabolites that belong to amino acid and phosphatidylcholine metabolism in THP-1 cells. These significantly altered metabolites were involved in amino acid metabolism and glycerolphospholipid and sphingolipid metabolism. It is the first time that three important SCFAs (NaAc, NaPc, and NaB) were identified as inhibiting 5-FU-induced macrophage inflammation through inhibiting ROS/NF-κB/NLRP3 signaling pathways and regulating glycerolphospholipid and sphingolipid metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanyan Zhang
- Testing Center, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
| | - Yue Xi
- Medical Laboratory Department, Huai’an Second People’s Hospital, Huai’an 223022, China
| | - Changshui Yang
- School of Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
| | - Weijuan Gong
- School of Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
- Correspondence: (W.G.); (D.W.)
| | - Chengyin Wang
- Testing Center, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
| | - Liang Wu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China
| | - Dongxu Wang
- School of Grain Science and Technology, Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, Zhenjiang 212100, China
- Correspondence: (W.G.); (D.W.)
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Zhang K, Yuan Y, Dawa Z, Liu F, Yao Y, Wang M, Zhu C, Lin C. Integrating metabolomics and network pharmacology to reveal the mechanisms of Delphinium brunonianum extract against nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2022; 293:115268. [PMID: 35398502 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2022.115268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2022] [Revised: 04/04/2022] [Accepted: 04/04/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Herba Delphinii Brunoniani, a Tibetan Material Medica, derived from the aerial parts of Delphinium brunonianum Royle, possesses efficacy of cooling blood to remove apthogentic heat, and dispelling wind to arrest itching, and has been used for the treatment for liver disease according to Tibetan Medicine Theories in Shel Gong Shel Phreng. However, the mechanisms of action remain unclear. AIM OF THE STUDY This work aimed to investigate the efficacy mechanism of Delphinium brunonianum extract (DBE) on nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), a kind of liver disease by integrating serum metabolomics and network pharmacology analysis. MATERIALS AND METHODS In this study, NASH model mice were established by a high-fat diet. The indexes of lipid accumulation, insulin resistance, and inflammatory reaction were used to evaluate the efficacy of DBE. A combination of UHPLC-QTOF-MS based metabolomics and network pharmacology was established to illustrate the serum biomarkers of NASH mice and to demonstrate the anti-NASH mechanisms of DBE. Serum metabolomics demonstrated potential metabolites and the corresponding metabolic pathways in the efficacy of DBE. Network pharmacology screened the targets of DBE against NASH. Finally, the mechanisms of DBE against NASH were verified by in-vivo pharmacology. RESULTS Metabolomics revealed that DBE significantly regulated the abnormal levels of twenty-two metabolites, which involved the biosynthesis of unsaturated fatty acids and steroid hormone, linoleic acid metabolism, arachidonic acid metabolism, and alpha-Linolenic acid metabolism pathways. Network pharmacology showed that DBE exhibited anti-NASH effects through regulating the targets of PTGS2, PLA2, ALOX5, ALOX15, FASN, and CYP450. Finally, united pharmacological verification result, we found that the mechanisms of DBE against NASH may be related to the regulation of the unsaturated fatty acids biosynthesis and the arachidonic acid metabolism pathway. CONCLUSIONS Integrating serum metabolomic and network analysis, we found that DBE might inhibit the pathological process of NASH by regulating the relative targets and the metabolic pathways, which may be a potential mechanism for the anti-NASH efficacy of DBE. This integrated strategy also provided a rational way for revealing the pharmacodynamic mechanisms of multi-components, multi-targets, and multi-pathways in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM).
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaihui Zhang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510006, PR China
| | - Yue Yuan
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510006, PR China
| | - Zeren Dawa
- University of Tibetan Medicine, Lasa, 850000, PR China
| | - Fangle Liu
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510006, PR China
| | - Yufeng Yao
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510006, PR China
| | - Meiqi Wang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510006, PR China.
| | - Chenchen Zhu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510006, PR China.
| | - Chaozhan Lin
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510006, PR China.
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Shi S, Wang F, Huang Y, Chen B, Pei C, Huang D, Wang X, Wang Y, Kou S, Li W, Ma T, Wu Y, Wang Z. Epimedium for Osteoporosis Based on Western and Eastern Medicine: An Updated Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:782096. [PMID: 35431937 PMCID: PMC9008843 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.782096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2021] [Accepted: 01/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: The efficacy of conventional pharmacotherapy on osteoporosis was limited and accompanied with serious side effects. Epimedium might have the potential to be developed as agents to treat osteoporosis. The present systematic review and meta-analysis integrating Western medicine and Eastern medicine (“WE” medicine) was to evaluate the efficacy of Epimedium on osteoporosis. Methods: Eleven electronic databases were searched to identify the randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing Epimedium as an adjunctive or alternative versus conventional pharmacotherapy during osteoporosis. Bone mineral density (BMD), effective rate, and Visual Analog Scale (VAS) were measured as primary outcomes. The secondary outcomes were pain relief time, bone metabolic markers, and adverse events. Research quality evaluation was conducted according to the modified Jadad scale. Review Manager 5.4 was utilized to perform analyses, and the data were pooled using a random-effect or fixed-effect model to calculate the weighted mean difference (WMD), standardized mean difference (SMD), risk ratio (RR), and 95% confidence intervals (CI). Results: Twelve RCTs recruiting 1,017 patients were eligible. Overall, it was possible to verify that, in the Epimedium plus conventional pharmacotherapy group, BMD was significantly improved (p = 0.03), effective rate was significantly improved (p = 0.0001), and VAS was significantly decreased (p = 0.01) over those in control group. When compared to conventional pharmacotherapy, Epimedium used alone improved BMD (p = 0.009) and effective rate (p < 0.0001). VAS was lower (p < 0.00001), and the level of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) was significantly decreased (p = 0.01) in patients taking Epimedium alone compared with those given conventional pharmacotherapy. Results of subgroup analyses yielded that the recommended duration of Epimedium as an adjuvant was >3 months (p = 0.03), the recommended duration of Epimedium as an alternative was ≤3 months (p = 0.002), and Epimedium decoction brought more benefits (SMD = 2.33 [1.92, 2.75]) compared with other dosage forms. No significant publication bias was identified based on statistical tests (t = 0.81, p = 0.440). Conclusions: Epimedium may improve BMD and effective rate and relieve pain as an adjuvant or alternative; Epimedium as an alternative might regulate bone metabolism, especially ALP, with satisfying clinical efficacy during osteoporosis. More rigorous RCTs are warranted to confirm these results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shihua Shi
- Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Fei Wang
- Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Yong Huang
- Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Bonan Chen
- Department of Anatomical and Cellular Pathology, State Key Laboratory of Translational Oncology, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong,SAR, China
| | - Caixia Pei
- Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Demei Huang
- Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Xiaomin Wang
- Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Yilan Wang
- Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Shuo Kou
- School of Public Health, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Weihao Li
- Cardiology Division, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Tianhong Ma
- Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Yongcan Wu
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine for Prevention and Cure of Metabolic Diseases, Chongqing, China
| | - Zhenxing Wang
- Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
- *Correspondence: Zhenxing Wang,
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Wang W, Wang Y, Hu J, Duan H, Wang Z, Yin L, He F. Untargeted Metabolomics Reveal the Protective Effect of Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation Against Ovariectomy-Induced Osteoporosis in Mice. Cell Transplant 2022; 31:9636897221079745. [PMID: 35225020 PMCID: PMC8891838 DOI: 10.1177/09636897221079745] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell transplantation (BMSCT) is a potential treatment for osteoporosis, capable of contributing to bone tissue repair. BMSCT has demonstrated osteoinductive effects and the ability to regulate microenvironmental metabolism; however, its role and mechanisms in bone loss due to reduced estrogen levels remain unclear. In this study, the effect of BMSCT on ovariectomy (OVX)-induced osteoporosis in mice was assessed, and liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC-MS) metabolomic studies of bone tissue were conducted to identify potential metabolic molecular markers. The results revealed that BMSCT reduces OVX-induced bone loss in mice while improving the mechanical properties of mouse femurs and increasing the expression of osteogenic markers in peripheral blood. In a metabolomic study, 18 metabolites were screened as potential biomarkers of the anti-osteoporotic effect of BMSCT. These metabolites are mainly involved in arachidonic acid metabolism, taurine and hypotaurine metabolism, and pentose and glucuronate interconversions. Collectively, these results illustrate the correlation between metabolites and the underlying mechanisms of osteoporosis development and are important for understanding the role and mechanisms of exogenous bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) in osteoporosis management. This study lays the foundation for research on BMSCs as a treatment strategy for osteoporosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weizhou Wang
- Department of Orthopedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
| | - Yanghao Wang
- Department of Orthopedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
| | - Jun Hu
- Kunming First People’s Hospital, Kunming, China
| | - Hao Duan
- Department of Orthopedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
| | - Zhihua Wang
- Department of Orthopedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
| | - Liang Yin
- Department of Orthopedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
| | - Fei He
- Department of Orthopedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
- Yunnan Province Stem Cell Technology Application Research Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
- Yunnan Provincial Clinical Medical Center for Bone and Joint Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
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Dong Q, Han Z, Tian L. Identification of Serum Exosome-Derived circRNA-miRNA-TF-mRNA Regulatory Network in Postmenopausal Osteoporosis Using Bioinformatics Analysis and Validation in Peripheral Blood-Derived Mononuclear Cells. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2022; 13:899503. [PMID: 35757392 PMCID: PMC9218277 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.899503] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2022] [Accepted: 05/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Osteoporosis is one of the most common systemic metabolic bone diseases, especially in postmenopausal women. Circular RNA (circRNA) has been implicated in various human diseases. However, the potential role of circRNAs in postmenopausal osteoporosis (PMOP) remains largely unknown. The study aims to identify potential biomarkers and further understand the mechanism of PMOP by constructing a circRNA-associated ceRNA network. METHODS The PMOP-related datasets GSE161361, GSE64433, and GSE56116 were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database and were used to obtain differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Gene ontology (GO) enrichment analysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis were applied to determine possible relevant functions of differentially expressed messenger RNAs (mRNAs). The TRRUST database was used to predict differential transcription factor (TF)-mRNA regulatory pairs. Afterwards, combined CircBank and miRTarBase, circRNA-miRNA as well as miRNA-TF pairs were constructed. Then, a circRNA-miRNA-TF-mRNA network was established. Next, the correlation of mRNAs, TFs, and PMOP was verified by the Comparative Toxicogenomics Database. And expression levels of key genes, including circRNAs, miRNAs, TFs, and mRNAs in the ceRNA network were further validated by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). Furthermore, to screen out signaling pathways related to key mRNAs of the ceRNA network, Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) was performed. RESULTS A total of 1201 DE mRNAs, 44 DE miRNAs, and 1613 DE circRNAs associated with PMOP were obtained. GO function annotation showed DE mRNAs were mainly related to inflammatory responses. KEGG analysis revealed DE mRNAs were mainly enriched in osteoclast differentiation, rheumatoid arthritis, hematopoietic cell lineage, and cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction pathways. We first identified 26 TFs and their target mRNAs. Combining DE miRNAs, miRNA-TF/mRNA pairs were obtained. Combining DE circRNAs, we constructed the ceRNA network contained 6 circRNAs, 4 miRNAs, 4 TFs, and 12 mRNAs. The expression levels of most genes detected by qRT-PCR were generally consistent with the microarray results. Combined with the qRT-PCR validation results, we eventually identified the ceRNA network that contained 4 circRNAs, 3 miRNAs, 3 TFs, and 9 mRNAs. The GSEA revealed that 9 mRNAs participate in many important signaling pathways, such as "olfactory transduction", "T cell receptor signaling pathway", and "neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction". These pathways have been reported to the occurrence and development of PMOP. To sum up, key mRNAs in the ceRNA network may participate in the development of osteoporosis by regulating related signal pathways. CONCLUSIONS A circRNA-associated ceRNA network containing TFs was established for PMOP. The study may help further explore the molecular mechanisms and may serve as potential biomarkers or therapeutic targets for PMOP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qianqian Dong
- The First School of Clinical Medicine, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
- Department of Endocrinology, Gansu Provincial Hospital, Lanzhou, China
- Clinical Research Center for Metabolic Disease, Gansu Provincial Hospital, Lanzhou, China
| | - Ziqi Han
- Department of Endocrinology, Gansu Provincial Hospital, Lanzhou, China
- Clinical Research Center for Metabolic Disease, Gansu Provincial Hospital, Lanzhou, China
| | - Limin Tian
- The First School of Clinical Medicine, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
- Department of Endocrinology, Gansu Provincial Hospital, Lanzhou, China
- Clinical Research Center for Metabolic Disease, Gansu Provincial Hospital, Lanzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Limin Tian,
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