1
|
Sun R, Liang Y, Zhu S, Yin Q, Bian Y, Ma H, Zhao F, Yin G, Tang D. Homotherapy-for-heteropathy of Bupleurum Chinense DC.-Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi in treating depression and colorectal cancer: A network pharmacology and animal model approach. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2024; 328:118038. [PMID: 38479544 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2024.118038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2023] [Revised: 01/26/2024] [Accepted: 03/09/2024] [Indexed: 03/25/2024]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Bupleurum chinense DC.-Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi (BS) is a classic drug pair that has good clinical effects on depression and many tumors. However, the concurrent targeting mechanism of how the aforementioned drug pair is valid in the two distinct diseases, has not been clarified yet. AIM OF THE STUDY The components of BS were detected by LC-MS, combined with network pharmacology to explore the active ingredients and common targeting mechanism of its multi-pathway regulation of BS in treating depression and CRC, and to validate the dual effects of BS using the CUMS mice model and orthotopic transplantation tumor mice model of CRC. RESULTS Twenty-nine components were screened, 84 common gene targets were obteined, and the top 5 key targets including STAT3, PIK3R1, PIK3CA, AKT1, IL-6 were identified by PPI network. GO and KEGG analyses revealed that PI3K/AKT and JAK/STAT signaling pathways might play a crucial role of BS in regulating depression and CRC. BS significantly modulated CUMS-induced depressive-like behavior, attenuated neuronal damage, and reduced serum EPI and NE levels in CUMS model mice. BS improved the pathological histological changes of solid tumors and liver tissues and inhibited solid tumors and liver metastases in tumor-bearing mice. BS significantly decreased the proteins' expression of IL-6, p-JAK2, p-STAT3, p-PI3K, p-AKT1 in hippocampal tissues and solid tumors, and regulated the levels of IL-2, IL-6 and IL-10 in serum of two models of mice. CONCLUSION BS can exert dual antidepressant and anti-CRC effects by inhibiting the expression of IL-6/JAK2/STAT3 and PI3K/AKT pathway proteins and regulating the release of inflammatory cytokines.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ruolan Sun
- School of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Yan Liang
- School of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Shijiao Zhu
- College of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Qihang Yin
- School of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Yong Bian
- Labthatory Animal Center, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Hongyue Ma
- College of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Fan Zhao
- School of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China.
| | - Gang Yin
- School of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China.
| | - Decai Tang
- School of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Chen J, Li T, Huang D, Gong W, Tian J, Gao X, Qin X, Du G, Zhou Y. Integrating UHPLC-MS/MS quantitative analysis and exogenous purine supplementation to elucidate the antidepressant mechanism of Chaigui granules by regulating purine metabolism. J Pharm Anal 2023; 13:1562-1576. [PMID: 38223448 PMCID: PMC10785246 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpha.2023.08.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2023] [Revised: 07/14/2023] [Accepted: 08/10/2023] [Indexed: 01/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Chaigui granules (CG) are a compound composed of six herbal medicines with significant antidepressant effects. However, the antidepressant mechanism of CG remains unclear. In the present study, we attempted to elucidate the antidepressant mechanism of CG by regulating purine metabolism and purinergic signaling. First, the regulatory effect of CG on purine metabolites in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) of chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) rats was analyzed by ultra high-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) targeted quantitative analysis. Meanwhile, purinergic receptors (P2X7 receptor (P2X7R), A1 receptor (A1R) and A2A receptor (A2AR)) and signaling pathways (nod-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome pathway and cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP)-protein kinase A (PKA) pathway) associated with purine metabolism were analyzed by western blotting and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Besides, antidepressant mechanism of CG by modulating purine metabolites to activate purinergic receptors and related signaling pathways was dissected by exogenous supplementation of purine metabolites and antagonism of purinergic receptors in vitro. An in vivo study showed that the decrease in xanthine and the increase in four purine nucleosides were closely related to the antidepressant effects of CG. Additionally, purinergic receptors (P2X7R, A1R and A2AR) and related signaling pathways (NLRP3 inflammasome pathway and cAMP-PKA pathway) were also significantly regulated by CG. The results of exogenous supplementation of purine metabolites and antagonism of purinergic receptors showed that excessive accumulation of xanthine led to activation of the P2X7R-NLRP3 inflammasome pathway, and the reduction of adenosine and inosine inhibited the A1R-cAMP-PKA pathway, which was significantly ameliorated by CG. Overall, CG could promote neuroprotection and ultimately play an antidepressant role by inhibiting the xanthine-P2X7R-NLRP3 inflammasome pathway and activating the adenosine/inosine-A1R-cAMP-PKA pathway.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jiajun Chen
- Modern Research Center for Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, 030006, China
- The Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology and Molecular Engineering of Ministry of Education, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, 030006, China
- The Key Laboratory of Effective Substances Research and Utilization in TCM of Shanxi Province, Taiyuan, 030006, China
| | - Tian Li
- Modern Research Center for Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, 030006, China
- The Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology and Molecular Engineering of Ministry of Education, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, 030006, China
- The Key Laboratory of Effective Substances Research and Utilization in TCM of Shanxi Province, Taiyuan, 030006, China
| | - Dehua Huang
- Modern Research Center for Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, 030006, China
- The Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology and Molecular Engineering of Ministry of Education, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, 030006, China
- The Key Laboratory of Effective Substances Research and Utilization in TCM of Shanxi Province, Taiyuan, 030006, China
| | - Wenxia Gong
- Modern Research Center for Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, 030006, China
- The Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology and Molecular Engineering of Ministry of Education, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, 030006, China
- The Key Laboratory of Effective Substances Research and Utilization in TCM of Shanxi Province, Taiyuan, 030006, China
| | - Junsheng Tian
- Modern Research Center for Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, 030006, China
- The Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology and Molecular Engineering of Ministry of Education, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, 030006, China
- The Key Laboratory of Effective Substances Research and Utilization in TCM of Shanxi Province, Taiyuan, 030006, China
| | - Xiaoxia Gao
- Modern Research Center for Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, 030006, China
- The Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology and Molecular Engineering of Ministry of Education, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, 030006, China
- The Key Laboratory of Effective Substances Research and Utilization in TCM of Shanxi Province, Taiyuan, 030006, China
| | - Xuemei Qin
- Modern Research Center for Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, 030006, China
- The Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology and Molecular Engineering of Ministry of Education, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, 030006, China
- The Key Laboratory of Effective Substances Research and Utilization in TCM of Shanxi Province, Taiyuan, 030006, China
| | - Guanhua Du
- Modern Research Center for Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, 030006, China
- Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China
| | - Yuzhi Zhou
- Modern Research Center for Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, 030006, China
- The Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology and Molecular Engineering of Ministry of Education, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, 030006, China
- The Key Laboratory of Effective Substances Research and Utilization in TCM of Shanxi Province, Taiyuan, 030006, China
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Gao Y, Zhang X, Wang W, Xing Z, Xu L, Tian X. Qualitative identification of lonicerae japonicae flos in traditional chinese medicine using metabarcoding combined with specific mini-barcodes. Mol Biol Rep 2023; 50:8817-8825. [PMID: 37658933 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-023-08739-0] [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: 04/30/2023] [Accepted: 08/04/2023] [Indexed: 09/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Lonicerae japonicae flos, also known as Jinyinhua (JYH), is an important component of traditional Chinese patent medicine (TCPM) products. However, the potential for adulteration and substitution with low-quality materials highlights the need for a reliable and sensitive approach to identify the species composition of TCPM products for consumer safety. METHODS AND RESULTS We used universal ITS2 primers to amplify TCPMs containing JYH. However, the results were inconclusive, as only one operational taxonomic unit (OTU) was identified as Lonicera sp., which could not be identified at the species level. To confirm the species identification of Lonicera sp. in TCPM, we developed a short mini-barcode primer based on the psbA-trnH region, which, in combination with DNA metabarcoding technology, allowed for qualitative and quantitative analysis of artificially mixed samples. We applied the mini-barcode to distinguish TCPMs containing JYH and demonstrated its relatively accurate quantitative ability in identifying two Lonicera species. CONCLUSIONS Our study presents a method for qualitative and quantitative identification of JYH, providing a promising application of DNA metabarcoding technology in the quality control of TCPM products.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Component-based Chinese Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 10 Poyanghu Road, West Area, Tuanbo New Town, Jinghai District, Tianjin, 301617, China
- Haihe Laboratory of Modern Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, 301617, China
| | - Xiaoying Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Component-based Chinese Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 10 Poyanghu Road, West Area, Tuanbo New Town, Jinghai District, Tianjin, 301617, China
- Haihe Laboratory of Modern Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, 301617, China
| | - Wenxiu Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Component-based Chinese Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 10 Poyanghu Road, West Area, Tuanbo New Town, Jinghai District, Tianjin, 301617, China
- Haihe Laboratory of Modern Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, 301617, China
| | - Zhimei Xing
- State Key Laboratory of Component-based Chinese Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 10 Poyanghu Road, West Area, Tuanbo New Town, Jinghai District, Tianjin, 301617, China
- Haihe Laboratory of Modern Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, 301617, China
| | - Liuwei Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Component-based Chinese Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 10 Poyanghu Road, West Area, Tuanbo New Town, Jinghai District, Tianjin, 301617, China
- Haihe Laboratory of Modern Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, 301617, China
| | - Xiaoxuan Tian
- State Key Laboratory of Component-based Chinese Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 10 Poyanghu Road, West Area, Tuanbo New Town, Jinghai District, Tianjin, 301617, China.
- Haihe Laboratory of Modern Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, 301617, China.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Zhu Y, Lai Y. Pharmacological properties and derivatives of saikosaponins-a review of recent studies. J Pharm Pharmacol 2023:7194607. [PMID: 37307427 DOI: 10.1093/jpp/rgad052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2022] [Accepted: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Saikosaponins (SSs) constitute a class of medicinal monomers characterised by a triterpene tricyclic structure. Despite their potential therapeutic effects for various pathological conditions, the underlying mechanisms of their actions have not been systematically analysed. Here, we mainly review the important anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and antiviral mechanisms underlying SS actions. METHODS Information from multiple scientific databases, such as PubMed, the Web of Science, and Google Scholar, was collected between 2018 and 2023. The search term used was saikosaponin. KEY FINDINGS Numerous studies have shown that Saikosaponin A exerts anti-inflammatory effects by modulating cytokine and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and lipid metabolism. Moreover, saikosaponin D exerts antitumor effects by inhibiting cell proliferation and inducing apoptosis and autophagy, and the antiviral mechanisms of SSs, especially against SARS-CoV-2, have been partially revealed. Interestingly, an increasing body of experimental evidence suggests that SSs show the potential for use as anti-addiction, anxiolytic, and antidepressant treatments, and therefore, the related molecular mechanisms warrant further study. CONCLUSIONS An increasing amount of data have indicated diverse SS pharmacological properties, indicating crucial clues for future studies and the production of novel saikosaponin-based anti-inflammatory, efficacious anticancer, and anti-novel-coronavirus agents with improved efficacy and reduced toxicity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yingchao Zhu
- Clinical Medical College of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Yu Lai
- School of Basic Medicine, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| |
Collapse
|