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Xiao Y, Tao W, Shan X, Li D, Tao W, Qian H, Zhao Y, Zhang C. Components analysis of San-Bai decoction, and its pharmacodynamics and mechanism on preventing and treating melasma. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2024; 332:118388. [PMID: 38796069 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2024.118388] [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: 04/08/2024] [Revised: 05/17/2024] [Accepted: 05/23/2024] [Indexed: 05/28/2024]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE San-Bai Decoction (SBD) is a classic whitening prescription originally recorded in the 'Introduction to Medicine' of the Ming Dynasty. SBD has been known for invigorating Qi and blood, promoting spleen and stomach, whitening skin, and fading melasma. However, its pharmacodynamic material basis and specific mechanism remain unclear. AIM OF THE STUDY The aim of this study is to clarify the pharmacodynamic material basis of SBD and its mechanism of removing melasma. MATERIALS AND METHODS The positive and negative ion mass spectrum data of SBD extract were collected by UHPLC-Q-Exactive Orbitrap MS/MS, imported into Compound Discoverer (CD) 3.1 software, matched through the online database, and manually checked. Finally, the in vitro chemical components of SBD were classified. Similarly, the mass spectrum data of SBD in the serum of normal rats and melasma model rats were also analyzed by CD 3.1 software. The in vitro identified Compound file of SBD was imported into the Expected Compounds and the Generate Expected Compounds project was selected. The SBD compounds were then chosen under the Compound Section. All phase I and II reaction types related to SBD components were selected, and the metabolic platform of CD 3.1 software was utilized to process the results and obtain possible metabolites. The metabolites were scored and products with high scores were subsequently screened. According to literature comparison, the final metabolites of SBD in both normal rats and melasma model rats were determined and comprehensively analyzed. The Melasma model rats were constructed through intramuscular injection of progesterone and ultraviolet radiation B (UVB) irradiation. The preventing and treating effect of SBD on melasma were evaluated by regulating inflammation, epidermal collagen content, and oxidative stress. Additionally, the effect of SBD on the Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/Protein kinase B (Akt)/Glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK3β) pathway was investigated through Western blot (WB) to explore its underlying mechanism on whitening and removing melasma efficacy. RESULTS Ultimately, 94 components were identified in SBD, including 41 flavonoids, 27 organic acids, and 9 glycosides, 3 terpenoids, 2 amides, 2 aldehydes, 1 phenylpropanoid and 9 other compounds. In the blood of normal rat group, a total of 24 prototype components and 61 metabolites were identified. Similarly, there were19 prototype components and 44 metabolites identified from the blood of melasma model rats. Pharmacodynamic experiment results indicated that SBD effectively reduced the incidence of melasma, prevent the loss of epidermal collagen, and elevate the activity of superoxide dismutase and decrease the malondialdehyde content in both liver and skin. Interestingly, the WB results demonstrated that SBD effectively activated PI3K/Akt/GSK3β pathway, and down-regulated the expression of melanin-related proteins. CONCLUSIONS For the first time, the components of SBD extracts, and its prototype components and metabolites in the blood of normal rats and melasma model rats were successfully identified by high-resolution liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry with CD software. Additionally, the differences of in vivo components of SBD between normal rats and melasma model rats were analyzed. The preventive and therapeutic effect of SBD on melasma was verified in the melasma model rats induced by progesterone and UVB irradiation, and its mechanism was related to activating PI3K/Akt/GSK3β pathway and downregulating the expression of melanin-related proteins. These results provide an experimental foundation for further research on the pharmacodynamic substance basis and pharmacodynamic mechanism of SBD, as well as developing new anti-melasma formula with SBD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaoyao Xiao
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Preparation Technology and Application, School of Pharmacy, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, 230012, China; Center for Xin'an Medicine and Modernization of Traditional Chinese Medicine of IHM, Grand Health Research Institute of Hefei Comprehensive National Science Center, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, 230012, China; Engineering Technology Research Center of Modern Pharmaceutical Preparation, Anhui Provincial Department of Education, China; Anhui Genuine Chinese Medicinal Materials Quality Improvement Innovation Collaborative Center, Hefei, 230012, China; Anhui Key Laboratory of Compound Chinese Materia Medica, Hefei, 230012, China.
| | - Wenkang Tao
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Preparation Technology and Application, School of Pharmacy, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, 230012, China; Center for Xin'an Medicine and Modernization of Traditional Chinese Medicine of IHM, Grand Health Research Institute of Hefei Comprehensive National Science Center, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, 230012, China; Engineering Technology Research Center of Modern Pharmaceutical Preparation, Anhui Provincial Department of Education, China; Anhui Genuine Chinese Medicinal Materials Quality Improvement Innovation Collaborative Center, Hefei, 230012, China; Anhui Key Laboratory of Compound Chinese Materia Medica, Hefei, 230012, China.
| | - Xiaoxiao Shan
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Preparation Technology and Application, School of Pharmacy, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, 230012, China; Center for Xin'an Medicine and Modernization of Traditional Chinese Medicine of IHM, Grand Health Research Institute of Hefei Comprehensive National Science Center, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, 230012, China; Engineering Technology Research Center of Modern Pharmaceutical Preparation, Anhui Provincial Department of Education, China; Anhui Genuine Chinese Medicinal Materials Quality Improvement Innovation Collaborative Center, Hefei, 230012, China; Anhui Key Laboratory of Compound Chinese Materia Medica, Hefei, 230012, China.
| | - Dawei Li
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Preparation Technology and Application, School of Pharmacy, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, 230012, China; Center for Xin'an Medicine and Modernization of Traditional Chinese Medicine of IHM, Grand Health Research Institute of Hefei Comprehensive National Science Center, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, 230012, China; Engineering Technology Research Center of Modern Pharmaceutical Preparation, Anhui Provincial Department of Education, China; Anhui Genuine Chinese Medicinal Materials Quality Improvement Innovation Collaborative Center, Hefei, 230012, China; Anhui Key Laboratory of Compound Chinese Materia Medica, Hefei, 230012, China.
| | - Wenwen Tao
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Preparation Technology and Application, School of Pharmacy, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, 230012, China; Center for Xin'an Medicine and Modernization of Traditional Chinese Medicine of IHM, Grand Health Research Institute of Hefei Comprehensive National Science Center, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, 230012, China; Engineering Technology Research Center of Modern Pharmaceutical Preparation, Anhui Provincial Department of Education, China; Anhui Genuine Chinese Medicinal Materials Quality Improvement Innovation Collaborative Center, Hefei, 230012, China; Anhui Key Laboratory of Compound Chinese Materia Medica, Hefei, 230012, China.
| | - Haisheng Qian
- Anhui Med Univ, Anhui Prov Inst Translat Med, Res & Engn Ctr Biomed Mat, Sch Biomed Engn, Hefei, 230032, China.
| | - Yanan Zhao
- Hefei Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, 230000, China.
| | - Caiyun Zhang
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Preparation Technology and Application, School of Pharmacy, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, 230012, China; Center for Xin'an Medicine and Modernization of Traditional Chinese Medicine of IHM, Grand Health Research Institute of Hefei Comprehensive National Science Center, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, 230012, China; Engineering Technology Research Center of Modern Pharmaceutical Preparation, Anhui Provincial Department of Education, China; Anhui Genuine Chinese Medicinal Materials Quality Improvement Innovation Collaborative Center, Hefei, 230012, China; Anhui Key Laboratory of Compound Chinese Materia Medica, Hefei, 230012, China.
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Biao Y, Li D, Zhang Y, Gao J, Xiao Y, Yu Z, Li L. Wulingsan Alleviates MAFLD by Activating Autophagy via Regulating the AMPK/mTOR/ULK1 Signaling Pathway. Can J Gastroenterol Hepatol 2024; 2024:9777866. [PMID: 39035827 PMCID: PMC11260214 DOI: 10.1155/2024/9777866] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2023] [Revised: 04/19/2024] [Accepted: 06/24/2024] [Indexed: 07/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Here, we presented the study of the molecular mechanisms underlying the action of Wulingsan (WLS) in rats with metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) induced by a high-fat diet (HFD). High-performance liquid chromatography was employed to identify the chemical components of WLS. After 2 weeks of HFD induction, MAFLD rats were treated with WLS in three different doses for 6 weeks, a positive control treatment or with a vehicle. Lipid metabolism, liver function, oxidative stress, and inflammatory factors as well as pathomorphological changes in liver parenchyma were assessed in all groups. Finally, the expressions of autophagy-related markers, adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK)/mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR)/unc-51-like kinase-1 (ULK1) signaling pathway-related genes, and proteins in liver were detected. The results revealed that WLS significantly ameliorated liver injury, the dysfunction of the lipid metabolism, the oxidative stress, and overall inflammatory status. Furthermore, WLS increased the expressions of LC3B-II, Beclin1, p-AMPK, and ULK1, along with decreased p62, p-mTOR, and sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1c levels. In conclusion, we showed that WLS is capable of alleviating HFD-induced MAFLD by improving lipid accumulation, suppressing oxidative stress and inflammation, and promoting autophagy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaning Biao
- School of Basic MedicineHebei University of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China
| | - Dantong Li
- School of PharmacyHebei University of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China
| | - Yixin Zhang
- School of PharmacyHebei University of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China
| | - Jingmiao Gao
- School of PharmacyHebei University of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China
| | - Yi Xiao
- School of PharmacyHebei University of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China
| | - Zehe Yu
- School of PharmacyHebei University of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China
| | - Li Li
- School of PharmacyHebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China
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Xu J, Jia W, Zhang G, Liu L, Wang L, Wu D, Tao J, Yue H, Zhang D, Zhao X. Extract of Silphium perfoliatum L. improve lipid accumulation in NAFLD mice by regulating AMPK/FXR signaling pathway. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2024; 327:118054. [PMID: 38484950 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2024.118054] [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: 02/12/2024] [Revised: 03/09/2024] [Accepted: 03/12/2024] [Indexed: 03/21/2024]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Globally, the incidence rate and number of patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease are increasing, which has become one of the greatest threats to human health. However, there is still no effective therapy and medicine so far. Silphium perfoliatum L. is a perennial herb native to North America, which is used to improve physical fitness and treat liver and spleen related diseases in the traditional medicinal herbs of Indian tribes. This herb is rich in chlorogenic acids, which have the functions of reducing blood lipids, losing weight and protecting liver. However, the effect of these compounds on nonalcoholic fatty liver disease remains unclear. AIM OF THE STUDY Clarify the therapeutic effects and mechanism of the extract (CY-10) rich in chlorogenic acid and its analogues from Silphium perfoliatum L. on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, and to determine the active compounds. MATERIALS AND METHODS A free fatty acid-induced steatosis model of HepG2 cells was established to evaluate the in vitro activity of CY-10 in promoting lipid metabolism. Further, a high-fat diet-induced NAFLD model in C57BL/6 mice was established to detect the effects of CY-10 on various physiological and biochemical indexes in mice, and to elucidate the in vivo effects of the extract on regulating lipid metabolism, anti-inflammation and hepatoprotection, and nontarget lipid metabolomics was performed to analyze differential metabolites of fatty acids in the liver. Subsequently, western blotting and immunohistochemistry were used to analyze the target of the extract and elucidate its mechanism of action. Finally, the active compounds in CY-10 were elucidated through in vitro activity screening. RESULTS The results indicated that CY-10 significantly attenuated lipid droplet deposition in HepG2 cells. The results of in vivo experiments showed that CY-10 significantly reduce HFD-induced mouse body weight and organ index, improve biochemical indexes, oxidation levels and inflammatory responses in the liver and serum, thereby protecting the liver tissue. It can promote the metabolism of unsaturated fatty acids in the liver and reduce the generation of saturated fatty acids. Furthermore, it is clarified that CY-10 can promote lipid metabolism balance by regulating AMPK/FXR/SREPB-1c/PPAR-γ signal pathway. Ultimately, the main active compound was proved to be cryptochlorogenic acid, which has a strong promoting effect on the metabolism of fatty acids in cells. Impressively, the activities of CY-10 and cryptochlorogenic acid were stronger than simvastatin in vitro and in vivo. CONCLUSION For the first time, it is clarified that the extract rich in chlorogenic acids and its analogues in Silphium perfoliatum L. have good therapeutic effects on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. It is confirmed that cryptochlorogenic acid is the main active compound and has good potential for medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiyu Xu
- College of Ecological Environmental Engineering, Qinghai University, China.
| | - Wenjing Jia
- Qinghai Key Laboratory of Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau Biological Resources, Northwest Institute of Plateau Biology, CAS and Qinghai Provincial Key Laboratory of Tibetan Medicine Research, Qinghai, 810008, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, China.
| | - Guoying Zhang
- College of Ecological Environmental Engineering, Qinghai University, China.
| | - Liying Liu
- Qinghai Key Laboratory of Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau Biological Resources, Northwest Institute of Plateau Biology, CAS and Qinghai Provincial Key Laboratory of Tibetan Medicine Research, Qinghai, 810008, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, China.
| | - Luya Wang
- Qinghai Key Laboratory of Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau Biological Resources, Northwest Institute of Plateau Biology, CAS and Qinghai Provincial Key Laboratory of Tibetan Medicine Research, Qinghai, 810008, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, China.
| | - Di Wu
- College of Ecological Environmental Engineering, Qinghai University, China.
| | - Jihong Tao
- Qinghai Key Laboratory of Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau Biological Resources, Northwest Institute of Plateau Biology, CAS and Qinghai Provincial Key Laboratory of Tibetan Medicine Research, Qinghai, 810008, China.
| | - Huilan Yue
- Qinghai Key Laboratory of Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau Biological Resources, Northwest Institute of Plateau Biology, CAS and Qinghai Provincial Key Laboratory of Tibetan Medicine Research, Qinghai, 810008, China.
| | - Dejun Zhang
- College of Ecological Environmental Engineering, Qinghai University, China.
| | - Xiaohui Zhao
- Qinghai Key Laboratory of Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau Biological Resources, Northwest Institute of Plateau Biology, CAS and Qinghai Provincial Key Laboratory of Tibetan Medicine Research, Qinghai, 810008, China.
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Li B, Jiang XF, Dong YJ, Zhang YP, He XLS, Zhou CL, Ding YY, Wang N, Wang YB, Cheng WQ, Jiang NH, Su J, Lv GY, Chen SH. The effects of Atractylodes macrocephala extract BZEP self-microemulsion based on gut-liver axis HDL/LPS signaling pathway to ameliorate metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease in rats. Biomed Pharmacother 2024; 175:116519. [PMID: 38663104 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2024.116519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2024] [Revised: 03/24/2024] [Accepted: 03/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/03/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To elucidate the therapeutic effects and mechanisms of Atractylodes macrocephala extract crystallize (BZEP) and BZEP self-microemulsion (BZEPWR) on metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) induced by "high sugar, high fat, and excessive alcohol consumption" based on the gut-liver axis HDL/LPS signaling pathway. METHODS In this study, BZEP and BZEPWR were obtained via isolation, purification, and microemulsification. Furthermore, an anthropomorphic MAFLD rat model of "high sugar, high fat, and excessive alcohol consumption" was established. The therapeutic effects of BZEPWR and BZEP on the model rats were evaluated in terms of liver function, lipid metabolism (especially HDL-C), serum antioxidant indexes, and liver and intestinal pathophysiology. To determine the lipoproteins in the serum sample, the amplitudes of a plurality of NMR spectra were derived via deconvolution of the composite methyl signal envelope to yield HDL-C subclass concentrations. The changes in intestinal flora were detected via 16 S rRNA gene sequencing. In addition, the gut-liver axis HDL/LPS signaling pathway was validated using immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, and western blot. RESULTS The findings established that BZEPWR and BZEP improved animal signs, serum levels of liver enzymes (ALT and AST), lipid metabolism (TC, TG, HDL-C, and LDL-C), and antioxidant indexes (GSH, SOD, and ROS). In addition, pathological damage to the liver, colon, and ileum was ameliorated, and the intestinal barrier function of the model rats was restored. At the genus level, BZEPWR and BZEP exerted positive effects on beneficial bacteria, such as Lactobacillus and norank_f__Muribaculaceae, and inhibitory effects on harmful bacteria, such as unclassified_f__Lachnospiraceae and Blautia. Twenty HDL-C subspecies were detected, and their levels were differentially increased in both BZEPWR and BZEP groups, with BZEPWR exhibiting a stronger elevating effect on specific HDL-C subspecies. Also, the gut-liver axis HDL/LPS signaling pathway was studied, which indicated that BZEPWR and BZEP significantly increased the expressions of ABCA1, LXR, occludin, and claudin-1 proteins in the gut and serum levels of HDL-C. Concomitantly, the levels of LPS in the serum and TLR4, Myd88, and NF-κB proteins in the liver were decreased. CONCLUSION BZEPWR and BZEP exert restorative and reversal effects on the pathophysiological damage to the gut-liver axis in MAFLD rats, and the therapeutic mechanism may be related to the regulation of the intestinal flora and the HDL/LPS signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Li
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Yangtze River Delta Region Green Pharmaceuticals, Zhejiang University of Technology, No. 18, Chaowang Road, Gongshu District, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310014, China; Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of TCM for Innovative R & D and Digital Intelligent Manufacturing of TCM Great Health Products, Huzhou, Zhejiang 313200, China
| | - Xiao-Feng Jiang
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Yangtze River Delta Region Green Pharmaceuticals, Zhejiang University of Technology, No. 18, Chaowang Road, Gongshu District, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310014, China
| | - Ying-Jie Dong
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Yangtze River Delta Region Green Pharmaceuticals, Zhejiang University of Technology, No. 18, Chaowang Road, Gongshu District, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310014, China; College of Pharmaceutical Science, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, No. 548, Binwen Road, Binjiang District, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310014, China; Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of TCM for Innovative R & D and Digital Intelligent Manufacturing of TCM Great Health Products, Huzhou, Zhejiang 313200, China
| | - Yi-Piao Zhang
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Yangtze River Delta Region Green Pharmaceuticals, Zhejiang University of Technology, No. 18, Chaowang Road, Gongshu District, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310014, China; Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of TCM for Innovative R & D and Digital Intelligent Manufacturing of TCM Great Health Products, Huzhou, Zhejiang 313200, China
| | - Xing-Li-Shang He
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Yangtze River Delta Region Green Pharmaceuticals, Zhejiang University of Technology, No. 18, Chaowang Road, Gongshu District, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310014, China; Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of TCM for Innovative R & D and Digital Intelligent Manufacturing of TCM Great Health Products, Huzhou, Zhejiang 313200, China
| | - Cheng-Liang Zhou
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Yangtze River Delta Region Green Pharmaceuticals, Zhejiang University of Technology, No. 18, Chaowang Road, Gongshu District, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310014, China; Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of TCM for Innovative R & D and Digital Intelligent Manufacturing of TCM Great Health Products, Huzhou, Zhejiang 313200, China
| | - Yan-Yan Ding
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Yangtze River Delta Region Green Pharmaceuticals, Zhejiang University of Technology, No. 18, Chaowang Road, Gongshu District, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310014, China; Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of TCM for Innovative R & D and Digital Intelligent Manufacturing of TCM Great Health Products, Huzhou, Zhejiang 313200, China
| | - Ning Wang
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Yangtze River Delta Region Green Pharmaceuticals, Zhejiang University of Technology, No. 18, Chaowang Road, Gongshu District, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310014, China; Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of TCM for Innovative R & D and Digital Intelligent Manufacturing of TCM Great Health Products, Huzhou, Zhejiang 313200, China
| | - Yi-Bin Wang
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Yangtze River Delta Region Green Pharmaceuticals, Zhejiang University of Technology, No. 18, Chaowang Road, Gongshu District, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310014, China; Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of TCM for Innovative R & D and Digital Intelligent Manufacturing of TCM Great Health Products, Huzhou, Zhejiang 313200, China
| | - Wan-Qi Cheng
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Yangtze River Delta Region Green Pharmaceuticals, Zhejiang University of Technology, No. 18, Chaowang Road, Gongshu District, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310014, China; Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of TCM for Innovative R & D and Digital Intelligent Manufacturing of TCM Great Health Products, Huzhou, Zhejiang 313200, China
| | - Ning-Hua Jiang
- The Second Affiliated Hospital of Jiaxing University, Jiaxing, Zhejiang 314000, China.
| | - Jie Su
- College of Pharmaceutical Science, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, No. 548, Binwen Road, Binjiang District, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310014, China.
| | - Gui-Yuan Lv
- College of Pharmaceutical Science, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, No. 548, Binwen Road, Binjiang District, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310014, China.
| | - Su-Hong Chen
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Yangtze River Delta Region Green Pharmaceuticals, Zhejiang University of Technology, No. 18, Chaowang Road, Gongshu District, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310014, China; Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of TCM for Innovative R & D and Digital Intelligent Manufacturing of TCM Great Health Products, Huzhou, Zhejiang 313200, China.
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Takano K, Kaneda M, Aoki Y, Fujita N, Chiba S, Michihara S, Han LK, Takahashi R. The protective effects of Ninjin'yoeito against liver steatosis/fibrosis in a non-alcoholic steatohepatitis model mouse. J Nat Med 2024; 78:514-524. [PMID: 38498120 PMCID: PMC11101552 DOI: 10.1007/s11418-024-01786-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2023] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 03/20/2024]
Abstract
Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is a progressive fibrotic form of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Liver fibrosis leads to liver cancer and cirrhosis, and drug therapy for NASH remains lacking. Ninjin'yoeito (NYT) has shown antifibrotic effects in a model of liver fibrosis without steatosis but has not been studied for NASH. Therefore, we evaluated the efficacy of NYT in mice fed a choline-deficient, L-amino acid-defined, high-fat diet (CDAHFD) as a NASH model. Compared with the normal diet group, mice fed CDAHFD showed decreased body weight and increased white adipose tissue, liver weight, and triglyceride content in the liver. Furthermore, a substantial increase in the hepatic concentration of hydroxyproline, expression of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), and transforming growth factor-β was observed in CDAHFD-fed mice. Masson's trichrome and Picro-Sirius red staining revealed a remarkable increase in collagen fiber compared with the normal diet group. Compared with mice that received CDAHFD alone, those supplemented with NYT exhibited reduced hepatic triglyceride and hydroxyproline levels and α-SMA expression. Additionally, compared with the group fed CDAHFD alone, the stained liver tissues of NYT-treated mice exhibited a reduction in Masson's trichrome- and Picro-Sirius red-positive areas. Locomotor activity was significantly reduced in the CDAHFD-fed group compared with the normal diet group. In the NYT-treated group, the CDAHFD-induced decrease in locomotor activity was significantly suppressed. The findings indicate that NYT inhibited fatty and fibrotic changes in the livers of NASH mice and alleviated the decrease in locomotor activity. Therefore, NYT may serve as a novel therapeutic approach for NASH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyohei Takano
- Kampo Research Laboratory, Pharmaceutical Company, Kracie, Ltd., 3-1 Kanebo-Machi, Takaoka, Toyama, Japan.
| | - Marisa Kaneda
- Kampo Research Laboratory, Pharmaceutical Company, Kracie, Ltd., 3-1 Kanebo-Machi, Takaoka, Toyama, Japan
| | - Yayoi Aoki
- Kampo Research Laboratory, Pharmaceutical Company, Kracie, Ltd., 3-1 Kanebo-Machi, Takaoka, Toyama, Japan
| | - Nina Fujita
- Kampo Research Laboratory, Pharmaceutical Company, Kracie, Ltd., 3-1 Kanebo-Machi, Takaoka, Toyama, Japan
| | - Shigeki Chiba
- Kampo Research Laboratory, Pharmaceutical Company, Kracie, Ltd., 3-1 Kanebo-Machi, Takaoka, Toyama, Japan
| | - Seiwa Michihara
- Kampo Research Laboratory, Pharmaceutical Company, Kracie, Ltd., 3-1 Kanebo-Machi, Takaoka, Toyama, Japan
| | - Li-Kun Han
- Kampo Research Laboratory, Pharmaceutical Company, Kracie, Ltd., 3-1 Kanebo-Machi, Takaoka, Toyama, Japan
| | - Ryuji Takahashi
- Kampo Research Laboratory, Pharmaceutical Company, Kracie, Ltd., 3-1 Kanebo-Machi, Takaoka, Toyama, Japan
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Yuan J, Hu Y, Yang D, Zhou A, Luo S, Xu N, Dong J, He Q, Zhang C, Zhang X, Ji Z, Li Q, Chu J. The Effects of Crataegus pinnatifida and Wolfiporia extensa Combination on Diet-Induced Obesity and Gut Microbiota. Foods 2024; 13:1633. [PMID: 38890862 PMCID: PMC11171702 DOI: 10.3390/foods13111633] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2024] [Revised: 05/20/2024] [Accepted: 05/22/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Obesity is a multifactorial chronic metabolic disease with multiple complications. Crataegus pinnatifida (CP) and Wolfiporia extensa (WE) are traditional functional foods with improving metabolic health properties. This study demonstrated the effect of CP and WE combination on ameliorating obesity induced by a high-fat diet (HFD). Moreover, the CP-WE food pair ameliorated HFD-induced metabolic disorders, including glucose intolerance, insulin resistance, hyperlipidemia, and hepatic steatosis. 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing and analysis revealed that CP combined with WE reshaped the composition of gut microbiota in HFD-fed mice. Furthermore, correlation analysis revealed a substantial association between the obesity-related parameters and the shifts in predominant bacterial genera influenced by the food pair intervention. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that the CP-WE food pair ameliorated HFD-induced obesity and reshaped gut microbiota composition, providing a promising approach to combat obesity through specific food combinations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingjing Yuan
- Key Laboratory of Xin’an Medicine, Ministry of Education, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei 230012, China; (J.Y.); (Y.H.); (D.Y.); (A.Z.); (J.D.); (Q.H.); (C.Z.); (X.Z.); (Z.J.)
- Research and Technology Center, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei 230012, China
- Functional Activity and Resource Utilization on Edible and Medicinal Fungi Joint Laboratory of Anhui Province, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei 230012, China
| | - Yueyun Hu
- Key Laboratory of Xin’an Medicine, Ministry of Education, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei 230012, China; (J.Y.); (Y.H.); (D.Y.); (A.Z.); (J.D.); (Q.H.); (C.Z.); (X.Z.); (Z.J.)
- Affiliated Hospital of Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225012, China
| | - Dongmei Yang
- Key Laboratory of Xin’an Medicine, Ministry of Education, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei 230012, China; (J.Y.); (Y.H.); (D.Y.); (A.Z.); (J.D.); (Q.H.); (C.Z.); (X.Z.); (Z.J.)
| | - An Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Xin’an Medicine, Ministry of Education, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei 230012, China; (J.Y.); (Y.H.); (D.Y.); (A.Z.); (J.D.); (Q.H.); (C.Z.); (X.Z.); (Z.J.)
- Functional Activity and Resource Utilization on Edible and Medicinal Fungi Joint Laboratory of Anhui Province, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei 230012, China
| | - Shengyong Luo
- Anhui Academy of Medical Sciences, Hefei 230061, China;
| | - Na Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Tea Plant Biology and Utilization, School of Tea and Food Science and International Joint Laboratory on Tea Chemistry and Health Effects of Ministry of Education, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, China;
| | - Jiaxing Dong
- Key Laboratory of Xin’an Medicine, Ministry of Education, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei 230012, China; (J.Y.); (Y.H.); (D.Y.); (A.Z.); (J.D.); (Q.H.); (C.Z.); (X.Z.); (Z.J.)
| | - Qing He
- Key Laboratory of Xin’an Medicine, Ministry of Education, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei 230012, China; (J.Y.); (Y.H.); (D.Y.); (A.Z.); (J.D.); (Q.H.); (C.Z.); (X.Z.); (Z.J.)
| | - Chenxu Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Xin’an Medicine, Ministry of Education, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei 230012, China; (J.Y.); (Y.H.); (D.Y.); (A.Z.); (J.D.); (Q.H.); (C.Z.); (X.Z.); (Z.J.)
| | - Xinyu Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Xin’an Medicine, Ministry of Education, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei 230012, China; (J.Y.); (Y.H.); (D.Y.); (A.Z.); (J.D.); (Q.H.); (C.Z.); (X.Z.); (Z.J.)
| | - Zhangxin Ji
- Key Laboratory of Xin’an Medicine, Ministry of Education, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei 230012, China; (J.Y.); (Y.H.); (D.Y.); (A.Z.); (J.D.); (Q.H.); (C.Z.); (X.Z.); (Z.J.)
| | - Qinglin Li
- Key Laboratory of Xin’an Medicine, Ministry of Education, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei 230012, China; (J.Y.); (Y.H.); (D.Y.); (A.Z.); (J.D.); (Q.H.); (C.Z.); (X.Z.); (Z.J.)
| | - Jun Chu
- Research and Technology Center, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei 230012, China
- Institute of Surgery, Anhui Academy of Chinese Medicine, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei 230012, China
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7
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Zhao N, Wang Y, Qu B, Zhu H, Yang D, Zhang X, Zhao J, Wang Y, Meng Y, Chen Z, Li P, Di T. Jianpi-Yangxue-Jiedu decoction improves the energy metabolism of psoriasis mice by regulating the electron transfer of oxidative phosphorylation. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2024; 324:117714. [PMID: 38184027 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2024.117714] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2023] [Revised: 01/02/2024] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 01/08/2024]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE The inflammatory skin condition psoriasis is immune-related. The decoction of Jianpi-Yangxue-Jiiedu (JPYX) is a useful medication for psoriasis. However, the underlying mechanics of JPYX have not yet been clarified. AIM OF THE STUDY The objective of this study was to investigate the mechanism underlying the efficacy of JPYX in the treatment of psoriasis in the context of a high-fat diet. MATERIALS AND METHODS This work generated a high-fat feeding model of imiquimod (IMQ)-induced psoriasis-like lesion mice. The blood composition of JPYX was examined using ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS). The mechanism of JPYX decoction for treating psoriasis was predicted using methods of network pharmacology, metabolomics, and transcriptomics. RESULTS JPYX prevented the release of inflammatory cytokines, decreased keratinocyte proliferation, enhanced the percentage of Treg cells in the skin, lymph nodes, and thymus, and greatly alleviated psoriatic lesions. Network pharmacology predicted that IL-1β, TNF, STAT3, and EGFR may be potential targets, and KEGG results showed that PI3K-AKT-mTOR may be a potential mechanism of action. Verification of experimental data demonstrated that the JPYX decoction dramatically decreased mTOR and AKT phosphorylation. According to metabolomics analysis, amino acids and their metabolites, benzene and its substitutes, aldehyde ketone esters, heterocyclic compounds, etc. were the primary metabolites regulated by JPYX. KEGG enrichment analysis of differential metabolites was performed. Fatty acid biosynthesis, Type I polyketide structures, Steroid hormone biosynthesis, Biosynthesis of unsaturated fatty acid, etc. Transcriptomic results showed that JPYX significantly regulated skin development, keratinocyte differentiation, and oxidative phosphorylation. Further experimental data verification showed that JPYX decoction significantly reduced the mRNA levels of mt-Nd4, mt-Nd5, mt-Nd1, Ifi205, Ifi211, and mt-Atp8. CONCLUSIONS JPYX may improve psoriasis by regulating the metabolic pathways of fatty acids and electron transport of oxidative phosphorylation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ning Zhao
- Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing Institute of Chinese Medicine, Beijing Key Laboratory of Clinic and Basic Research with Traditional Chinese Medicine on Psoriasis, Beijing, People's Republic of China; Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, People's Republic of China.
| | - YaZhuo Wang
- Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing Institute of Chinese Medicine, Beijing Key Laboratory of Clinic and Basic Research with Traditional Chinese Medicine on Psoriasis, Beijing, People's Republic of China; Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, People's Republic of China
| | - BaoQuan Qu
- Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100029, People's Republic of China
| | - HaoYue Zhu
- Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing Institute of Chinese Medicine, Beijing Key Laboratory of Clinic and Basic Research with Traditional Chinese Medicine on Psoriasis, Beijing, People's Republic of China; Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, People's Republic of China
| | - DanYang Yang
- Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing Institute of Chinese Medicine, Beijing Key Laboratory of Clinic and Basic Research with Traditional Chinese Medicine on Psoriasis, Beijing, People's Republic of China; Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, People's Republic of China
| | - XiaWei Zhang
- Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing Institute of Chinese Medicine, Beijing Key Laboratory of Clinic and Basic Research with Traditional Chinese Medicine on Psoriasis, Beijing, People's Republic of China; Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, People's Republic of China
| | - JingXia Zhao
- Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing Institute of Chinese Medicine, Beijing Key Laboratory of Clinic and Basic Research with Traditional Chinese Medicine on Psoriasis, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Yan Wang
- Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing Institute of Chinese Medicine, Beijing Key Laboratory of Clinic and Basic Research with Traditional Chinese Medicine on Psoriasis, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - YuJiao Meng
- Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing Institute of Chinese Medicine, Beijing Key Laboratory of Clinic and Basic Research with Traditional Chinese Medicine on Psoriasis, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhaoxia Chen
- Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing Institute of Chinese Medicine, Beijing Key Laboratory of Clinic and Basic Research with Traditional Chinese Medicine on Psoriasis, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Ping Li
- Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing Institute of Chinese Medicine, Beijing Key Laboratory of Clinic and Basic Research with Traditional Chinese Medicine on Psoriasis, Beijing, People's Republic of China.
| | - TingTing Di
- Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing Institute of Chinese Medicine, Beijing Key Laboratory of Clinic and Basic Research with Traditional Chinese Medicine on Psoriasis, Beijing, People's Republic of China.
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Park M, Yi JM, Kim NS, Lee SY, Lee H. Effect of Poria cocos Terpenes: Verifying Modes of Action Using Molecular Docking, Drug-Induced Transcriptomes, and Diffusion Network Analyses. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:4636. [PMID: 38731856 PMCID: PMC11083729 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25094636] [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: 03/28/2024] [Revised: 04/18/2024] [Accepted: 04/21/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024] Open
Abstract
We characterized the therapeutic biological modes of action of several terpenes in Poria cocos F.A Wolf (PC) and proposed a broad therapeutic mode of action for PC. Molecular docking and drug-induced transcriptome analysis were performed to confirm the pharmacological mechanism of PC terpene, and a new analysis method, namely diffusion network analysis, was proposed to verify the mechanism of action against Alzheimer's disease. We confirmed that the compound that exists only in PC has a unique mechanism through statistical-based docking analysis. Also, docking and transcriptomic analysis results could reflect results in clinical practice when used complementarily. The detailed pharmacological mechanism of PC was confirmed by constructing and analyzing the Alzheimer's disease diffusion network, and the antioxidant activity based on microglial cells was verified. In this study, we used two bioinformatics approaches to reveal PC's broad mode of action while also using diffusion networks to identify its detailed pharmacological mechanisms of action. The results of this study provide evidence that future pharmacological mechanism analysis should simultaneously consider complementary docking and transcriptomics and suggest diffusion network analysis, a new method to derive pharmacological mechanisms based on natural complex compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Musun Park
- Korean Medicine (KM) Data Division, Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine, Daejeon 34054, Republic of Korea
| | - Jin-Mu Yi
- KM Convergence Research Division, Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine, Daejeon 34054, Republic of Korea; (J.-M.Y.); (N.S.K.)
| | - No Soo Kim
- KM Convergence Research Division, Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine, Daejeon 34054, Republic of Korea; (J.-M.Y.); (N.S.K.)
| | - Seo-Young Lee
- KM Science Research Division, Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine, Daejeon 34054, Republic of Korea;
| | - Haeseung Lee
- College of Pharmacy, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Republic of Korea;
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9
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He J, Chen L, Wang P, Cen B, Li J, Wei Y, Yao X, Xu Z. Network pharmacology and experimental validation of effects of total saponins extracted from Abrus cantoniensis Hance on acetaminophen-induced liver injury. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2024; 324:117740. [PMID: 38219885 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2024.117740] [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: 10/13/2023] [Revised: 01/06/2024] [Accepted: 01/07/2024] [Indexed: 01/16/2024]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Abrus cantoniensis Hance (AC), an abrus cantoniensis herb, is a Chinese medicinal herb used for the treatment of hepatitis. Total saponins extracted from AC (ACS) are a compound of triterpenoid saponins, which have protective properties against both chemical and immunological liver injuries. Nevertheless, ACS has not been proven to have an influence on drug-induced liver injury (DILI). AIM OF THE STUDY This study used network pharmacology and experiments to investigate the effects of ACS on acetaminophen (APAP)-induced liver injury. MATERIALS AND METHODS The targets associated with ACS and DILI were obtained from online databases. Cytoscape software was utilized to construct a "compound-target" network. In addition, Gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses were used to analyze the related signaling pathways impacted by ACS. AutoDock Vina was utilized to evaluate the binding affinity between bioactive compounds and the key targets. To validate the findings of network pharmacology, in vitro and in vivo experiments were conducted. Cell viability assay, transaminase activity detection, immunofluorescence assay, immunohistochemistry staining, RT-qPCR, and western blotting were utilized to explore the effects of ACS. RESULTS 25 active compounds and 217 targets of ACS were screened, of which 94 common targets were considered as potential targets for ACS treating APAP-induced liver injury. GO and KEGG analyses showed that the effects of ACS exert their effects on liver injury through suppressing inflammatory response, oxidative stress, and apoptosis. Molecular docking results demonstrated that core active compounds of ACS were successfully docked to core targets such as CASP3, BCL2L1, MAPK8, MAPK14, PTGS2, and NOS2. In vitro experiments showed that ACS effectively attenuated APAP-induced damage through suppressing transaminase activity and attenuating apoptosis. Furthermore, in vivo studies demonstrated that ACS alleviated pathological changes in APAP-treated mice and attenuated inflammatory response. Additionally, ACS downregulated the expression of iNOS, COX2, and Caspase-3, and upregulated the expression of Bcl-2. ACS also suppressed the MAPK signaling pathway. CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrated that ACS is a hepatoprotective drug through the combination of network pharmacology and in vitro and in vivo experiments. The findings reveal that ACS effectively attenuate APAP-induced oxidative stress, apoptosis, and inflammation through inhibiting the MAPK signaling pathway. Consequently, this research offers novel evidence supporting the potential preventive efficacy of ACS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiali He
- Clinical Pharmacy Center, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, Guangdong Province, China; National Medical Products Administration Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Drug Metabolism & Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Leping Chen
- Clinical Pharmacy Center, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, Guangdong Province, China; Department of Pharmacy, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Ping Wang
- Clinical Pharmacy Center, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, Guangdong Province, China; National Medical Products Administration Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Drug Metabolism & Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Bohong Cen
- Clinical Pharmacy Center, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, Guangdong Province, China; National Medical Products Administration Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Drug Metabolism & Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Jinxia Li
- Clinical Pharmacy Center, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, Guangdong Province, China; National Medical Products Administration Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Drug Metabolism & Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Yerong Wei
- Clinical Pharmacy Center, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, Guangdong Province, China; National Medical Products Administration Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Drug Metabolism & Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Xiangcao Yao
- Clinical Pharmacy Center, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, Guangdong Province, China; National Medical Products Administration Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Drug Metabolism & Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, Guangdong Province, China.
| | - Zhongyuan Xu
- Clinical Pharmacy Center, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, Guangdong Province, China; National Medical Products Administration Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Drug Metabolism & Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, Guangdong Province, China.
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10
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Zhao J, Liu L, Cao YY, Gao X, Targher G, Byrne CD, Sun DQ, Zheng MH. MAFLD as part of systemic metabolic dysregulation. Hepatol Int 2024:10.1007/s12072-024-10660-y. [PMID: 38594474 DOI: 10.1007/s12072-024-10660-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2023] [Accepted: 02/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/11/2024]
Abstract
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is one of the most common chronic liver diseases worldwide. In recent years, a new terminology and definition of metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) has been proposed. Compared to the NAFLD definition, MAFLD better emphasizes the pathogenic role of metabolic dysfunction in the development and progression of this highly prevalent condition. Metabolic disorders, including overweight/obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), atherogenic dyslipidemia and hypertension, are often associated with systemic organ dysfunctions, thereby suggesting that multiple organ damage can occur in MAFLD. Substantial epidemiological evidence indicates that MAFLD is not only associated with an increased risk of liver-related complications, but also increases the risk of developing several extra-hepatic diseases, including new-onset T2DM, adverse cardiovascular and renal outcomes, and some common endocrine diseases. We have summarized the current literature on the adverse effect of MAFLD on the development of multiple extrahepatic (cardiometabolic and endocrine) complications and examined the role of different metabolic pathways and organ systems in the progression of MAFLD, thus providing new insights into the role of MAFLD as a multisystem metabolic disorder. Our narrative review aimed to provide insights into potential mechanisms underlying the known associations between MAFLD and extrahepatic diseases, as part of MAFLD as a multisystem disease, in order to help focus areas for future drug development targeting not only liver disease but also the risk of extrahepatic complications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Zhao
- Urologic Nephrology Center, Jiangnan University Medical Center, Wuxi, China
- Affiliated Wuxi Clinical College of Nantong University, Wuxi, China
- Wuxi No. 2 People's Hospital, Wuxi, China
| | - Lu Liu
- Urologic Nephrology Center, Jiangnan University Medical Center, Wuxi, China
- Affiliated Wuxi Clinical College of Nantong University, Wuxi, China
- Wuxi No. 2 People's Hospital, Wuxi, China
| | - Ying-Ying Cao
- MAFLD Research Center, Department of Hepatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment for the Development of Chronic Liver Disease in Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xin Gao
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Giovanni Targher
- Department of Medicine, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
- Metabolic Diseases Research Unit, IRCCS Sacro Cuore-Don Calabria Hospital, Negrar di Valpolicella, Italy
| | - Christopher D Byrne
- Southampton National Institute for Health and Care Research Biomedical Research Centre, University Hospital Southampton, and University of Southampton, Southampton General Hospital, Southampton, UK
| | - Dan-Qin Sun
- Urologic Nephrology Center, Jiangnan University Medical Center, Wuxi, China.
- Affiliated Wuxi Clinical College of Nantong University, Wuxi, China.
- Wuxi No. 2 People's Hospital, Wuxi, China.
| | - Ming-Hua Zheng
- MAFLD Research Center, Department of Hepatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China.
- Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment for the Development of Chronic Liver Disease in Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China.
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11
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Liu Y, Li X, Chen C, Ding N, Zheng P, Chen X, Ma S, Yang M. TCMNPAS: a comprehensive analysis platform integrating network formulaology and network pharmacology for exploring traditional Chinese medicine. Chin Med 2024; 19:50. [PMID: 38519956 PMCID: PMC10958928 DOI: 10.1186/s13020-024-00924-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2024] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 03/25/2024] Open
Abstract
The application of network formulaology and network pharmacology has significantly advanced the scientific understanding of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) treatment mechanisms in disease. The field of herbal biology is experiencing a surge in data generation. However, researchers are encountering challenges due to the fragmented nature of the data and the reliance on programming tools for data analysis. We have developed TCMNPAS, a comprehensive analysis platform that integrates network formularology and network pharmacology. This platform is designed to investigate in-depth the compatibility characteristics of TCM formulas and their potential molecular mechanisms. TCMNPAS incorporates multiple resources and offers a range of functions designed for automated analysis implementation, including prescription mining, molecular docking, network pharmacology analysis, and visualization. These functions enable researchers to analyze and obtain core herbs and core formulas from herbal prescription data through prescription mining. Additionally, TCMNPAS facilitates virtual screening of active compounds in TCM and its formulas through batch molecular docking, allowing for the rapid construction and analysis of networks associated with "herb-compound-target-pathway" and disease targets. Built upon the integrated analysis concept of network formulaology and network pharmacology, TCMNPAS enables quick point-and-click completion of network-based association analysis, spanning from core formula mining from clinical data to the exploration of therapeutic targets for disease treatment. TCMNPAS serves as a powerful platform for uncovering the combinatorial rules and mechanism of TCM formulas holistically. We distribute TCMNPAS within an open-source R package at GitHub ( https://github.com/yangpluszhu/tcmnpas ), and the project is freely available at http://54.223.75.62:3838/ .
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Affiliation(s)
- Yishu Liu
- LongHua Hospital Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Xue Li
- LongHua Hospital Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Chao Chen
- LongHua Hospital Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Nan Ding
- LongHua Hospital Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Peiyong Zheng
- LongHua Hospital Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Xiaoyun Chen
- LongHua Hospital Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Shiyu Ma
- Ruijin Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China.
| | - Ming Yang
- LongHua Hospital Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 200032, China.
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12
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Wang K, Zhang Y, Wang G, Hao H, Wang H. FXR agonists for MASH therapy: Lessons and perspectives from obeticholic acid. Med Res Rev 2024; 44:568-586. [PMID: 37899676 DOI: 10.1002/med.21991] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2023] [Revised: 10/06/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 10/31/2023]
Abstract
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, also called metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease, is the most common liver disease worldwide and has no approved pharmacotherapy. Due to its beneficial effects on metabolic regulation, inflammation suppression, cell death prevention, and fibrogenesis inhibition, farnesoid X receptor (FXR) is widely accepted as a promising therapeutic target for nonalcoholic steatosis (NASH) or called metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH). Many FXR agonists have been developed for NASH/MASH therapy. Obeticholic acid (OCA) is the pioneering frontrunner FXR agonist and the first demonstrating success in clinical trials. Unfortunately, OCA did not receive regulatory approval as a NASH pharmacotherapy because its moderate benefits did not outweigh its safety risks, which may cast a shadow over FXR-based drug development for NASH/MASH. This review summarizes the milestones in the development of OCA for NASH/MASH and discuss its limitations, including moderate hepatoprotection and the undesirable side effects of dyslipidemia, pruritus, cholelithiasis, and liver toxicity risk, in depth. More importantly, we provide perspectives on FXR-based therapy for NASH/MASH, hoping to support a successful bench-to-clinic transition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kang Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yuecan Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Guangji Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Haiping Hao
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Hong Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
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13
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Zhang X, Lin W, Lei S, Zhang S, Cheng Y, Chen X, Lu Y, Zhao D, Zhang Y, Guo C. The anti-hyperlipidemic effects of Poria cocos (Schw.) Wolf extract: Modulating cholesterol homeostasis in hepatocytes via PPARα pathway. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2024; 321:117532. [PMID: 38048892 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2023.117532] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2023] [Revised: 11/19/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/06/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Poria cocos (Schw.) Wolf (Polyporaceae, P.cocos), which is born on the pine root, has a history of more than two thousand years of medicine in China. P.cocos was first recorded in the Shennong's Herbal Classic, studies have proved its lipid-lowering effect. AIM OF STUDY The aim of study was to investigate the underlying mechanism of P.cocos extract on hyperlipidemia. MATERIALS AND METHODS Male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats aged 9-12 weeks were intraperitoneally (IP) injected with Triton-WR 1339 to establish an acute hyperlipidemia model. At 0 h and 20 h after the model was established, low and high doses of P.cocos extract or simvastatin were given twice. After 48 h, the rats were sacrificed, and liver and serum samples were collected for analysis. The cell model was constructed by treating L02 cells with 1% fat emulsion-10% FBS-RPMI 1640 medium for 48 h. At the same time, low and high doses of P.cocos extract and simvastatin were administered. Oil red O staining was used to evaluate the lipid accumulation in the cells, and H&E staining was used to evaluate the liver lesions of rats. Real-time quantitative PCR and western blotting were used to detect the expressions of lipid metabolism-related genes. RESULTS P.cocos extract relieved lipid accumulation in vitro and alleviated hyperlipidemia in vivo. Both gene and protein expressions of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα) were shown to be up-regulated by P.cocos extract. Additionally, P.cocos extract down-regulated the expressions of fatty acid synthesis-related genes sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1 (SREBP-1), Acetyl-CoA Carboxylase 1 (ACC1) and fatty acid synthase (FAS), while up-regulated the expressions of cholesterol metabolism-related genes liver X receptor-α (LXRα), ATP-binding cassette transporter A1 (ABCA1), cholesterol 7alpha-hydroxylase (CYP7A1) and low density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR), which were reversed by the treatment with the PPARα inhibitor GW6471. CONCLUSION P.cocos extract ameliorates hyperlipidemia and lipid accumulation by regulating cholesterol homeostasis in hepatocytes through PPARα pathway. This study provides evidence that supplementation with P.cocos extract could be a potential strategy for the treatment of hyperlipidemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinyu Zhang
- Clinical Pharmacokinetics Laboratory, School of Basic Medicine and Clinical Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 211198, China
| | - Wei Lin
- Clinical Pharmacokinetics Laboratory, School of Basic Medicine and Clinical Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 211198, China
| | - Shuyue Lei
- Clinical Pharmacokinetics Laboratory, School of Basic Medicine and Clinical Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 211198, China
| | - Siqi Zhang
- Clinical Pharmacokinetics Laboratory, School of Basic Medicine and Clinical Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 211198, China
| | - Yujie Cheng
- Clinical Pharmacokinetics Laboratory, School of Basic Medicine and Clinical Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 211198, China
| | - Xijing Chen
- Clinical Pharmacokinetics Laboratory, School of Basic Medicine and Clinical Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 211198, China
| | - Yang Lu
- Clinical Pharmacokinetics Laboratory, School of Basic Medicine and Clinical Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 211198, China
| | - Di Zhao
- Clinical Pharmacokinetics Laboratory, School of Basic Medicine and Clinical Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 211198, China
| | - Yongjie Zhang
- Clinical Pharmacokinetics Laboratory, School of Basic Medicine and Clinical Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 211198, China
| | - Chaorui Guo
- Clinical Pharmacokinetics Laboratory, School of Basic Medicine and Clinical Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 211198, China.
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Xie Z, Zeng H, He D, Luo J, Liu T, Shen B, Qin Y, Zhang S, Jin J. Insights into the inhibition of stomach cancer MKN45 cell growth by Poria cocos ethanol-soluble extract based on MAPK/PI3K signaling pathways and components cell fishing. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2024; 320:117417. [PMID: 37977426 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2023.117417] [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: 10/07/2023] [Revised: 11/02/2023] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Poria cocos F.A. Wolf is an edible fungus with forming sclerotia, which has the effects of promoting diuresis, exuding dampness, invigorating the spleen, and regulating the stomach. P. cocos has a high application in the clinic of traditional Chinese medicine, and some studies have indicated that P. cocos has a good effect on tumor diseases. According to ancient records and modern studies, P. cocos wine offers beneficial effects in terms of strengthening tendons and bones and anti-tumor effects. AIM OF THE STUDY To understand the substance composition of P. cocos ethanol-soluble extract (PESE) and then further study the effect and potential mechanism of PESE components on gastric cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS In vitro and in vivo experiments were performed to detect the cell activity and apoptotic condition. Differential expression analysis and pathway enrichment were performed based on transcriptomics and were verified by real-time polymerase chain reaction and western blotting. The mice of the stomach cancer tumor model were randomly categorized into three groups. The weight and tumor volume of the mice were measured, and the pathological characteristics of tumor tissue and immunohistochemical changes were determined. Then, the main active components of PESE were detected by MKN45 cell fishing. RESULTS In vitro experiments showed that PESE inhibited the proliferation of MKN45 cells, but it did not induce apoptosis. Based on the transcriptome and western blotting results, the inhibition of MKN45 proliferation by PESE may be influenced by mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and phosphoinositide-3-kinase-protein kinase B (PI3K-Akt) signaling pathways. In vivo experiments showed that PESE inhibited tumor growth in mice and caused partial necrosis of tumor cells but had no toxic effect on mice. Cell fishing identified nine triterpenoids of P. cocos as the major active components of PESE. CONCLUSIONS The results indicated that PESE has a significant inhibitory effect on stomach cancer, and its mechanism probably commonly affects the MAPK and PI3K-Akt signaling pathways, which could be due to the triterpenoid components.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenni Xie
- Institute of Chinese Medicine Resources, Hunan Academy of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan, 410013, China; Graduate School, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan, 410036, China
| | - Hongliang Zeng
- Institute of Chinese Medicine Resources, Hunan Academy of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan, 410013, China; Graduate School, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan, 410036, China
| | - Dan He
- Graduate School, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan, 410036, China
| | - Ji Luo
- The Affiliated Hospital of Hunan Academy of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan, 410013, China
| | - Tingting Liu
- Institute of Chinese Medicine Resources, Hunan Academy of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan, 410013, China
| | - Bingbing Shen
- Institute of Chinese Medicine Resources, Hunan Academy of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan, 410013, China
| | - You Qin
- Institute of Chinese Medicine Resources, Hunan Academy of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan, 410013, China
| | - Shuihan Zhang
- Institute of Chinese Medicine Resources, Hunan Academy of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan, 410013, China; Graduate School, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan, 410036, China
| | - Jian Jin
- Institute of Chinese Medicine Resources, Hunan Academy of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan, 410013, China.
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15
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Jiang X, Tang N, Liu Y, Wang Z, Chen J, Liu F, Zhang P, Sui M, Xu W. Integrating network analysis and pharmacokinetics to investigate the mechanisms of Danzhi Tiaozhi Decoction in metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD). JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2024; 318:117008. [PMID: 37549861 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2023.117008] [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: 04/26/2023] [Revised: 07/24/2023] [Accepted: 08/04/2023] [Indexed: 08/09/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Based on ancient classics, Danzhi Tiaozhi Decoction has been successfully used to treat nonalcoholic fatty liver disease for decades. However, its therapeutic mechanisms remain unclear. AIM OF THE STUDY This study aimed to investigate the effects of Danzhi Tiaozhi Decoction (DZTZD) on metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD). MATERIALS AND METHODS First, we identified the active ingredients of DZTZD and their potential targets in the Traditional Chinese Medicine System Pharmacology database. Using the overlapped genes, we selected the key MAFLD-associated genes, then conducted GO and KEGG pathway enrichment analyses. Furthermore, DZTZD was administered orally to rats, and their serum and liver tissues were examined for absorbed compounds using pharmacochemistry. UPLC-Q-Exactive Orbitrap/MS was used to determine the main compounds. Then, we validated the binding association of the key targets with their active compounds with AutoDock Tools and other software. Finally, the predicted hub targets were experimentally validated. RESULTS We found 254 active compounds in DZTZD corresponding to 208 targets. Sixteen key genes were identified, and the enrichment analysis revealed multiple signaling pathways, including the AGE-RAGE pathway in diabetic complications and the lipid and atherosclerosis signaling pathway. Next, 160 absorbed components and metabolites were characterized in vivo, and 53 absorbed components and metabolites were characterized in liver tissue. Thirteen parent compounds were identified, including coptisine, quercetin, luteolin, and aloe-emodin. The molecular docking data demonstrated the strongest binding between the active compounds and the core proteins. Moreover, the animal experiments showed that DZTZD decreased body weight, liver weight, lipid accumulation, and ALT, AST, CRP, FFA, IL-6, PEPCK, G6P, TG, TC, and LDL-c serum levels, and increased serum HDL-c levels compared to high-fat induced rats. Besides, the RT-PCR and Western blot showed that DZTZD inhibited the SREBP1c and FAS and increased hyperlipidemia-induced CPT-1A levels. In the high-fat group, JNK phosphorylation increased, and AKT protein phosphorylation decreased, while DZTZD reversed these effects. CONCLUSION Based on the pharmacological network analysis, pharmacochemistry, and experimental validation, DZTZD can potentially improve MAFLD via the JNK/AKT pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaofei Jiang
- Department of Gynecology, Xuzhou Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Xuzhou City Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Xuzhou, 221003, Jiangsu, China
| | - Nannan Tang
- Graduate School of Anhui University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Hefei, 230000, Anhui, China
| | - Yuyu Liu
- Graduate School of Anhui University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Hefei, 230000, Anhui, China
| | - Zhiming Wang
- Department of Endocrinology, Xuzhou Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Xuzhou City Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Xuzhou, 221003, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jun Chen
- Department of Endocrinology, Xuzhou Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Xuzhou City Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Xuzhou, 221003, Jiangsu, China
| | - Fang Liu
- Department of Endocrinology, Xuzhou Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Xuzhou City Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Xuzhou, 221003, Jiangsu, China
| | - Ping Zhang
- Department of Endocrinology, Xuzhou Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Xuzhou City Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Xuzhou, 221003, Jiangsu, China
| | - Miao Sui
- Department of Endocrinology, Xuzhou Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Xuzhou City Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Xuzhou, 221003, Jiangsu, China.
| | - Wei Xu
- Department of Endocrinology, Xuzhou Central Hospital, Xuzhou Institute of Medical Sciences, Xuzhou Clinical School of Nanjing Medical University, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School of Southeast University, Xuzhou, 221003, Jiangsu, China.
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16
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Chen S, Sun S, Feng Y, Li X, Yin G, Liang P, Yu W, Meng D, Zhang X, Liu H, Zhang F. Diosgenin attenuates nonalcoholic hepatic steatosis through the hepatic FXR-SHP-SREBP1C/PPARα/CD36 pathway. Eur J Pharmacol 2023; 952:175808. [PMID: 37263401 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2023.175808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2023] [Revised: 05/16/2023] [Accepted: 05/24/2023] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common liver disease worldwide and has no approved treatment. The hepatic farnesoid X receptor (FXR) is one of the most promising therapeutic targets for NAFLD. Diosgenin (DG), a natural compound extracted from Chinese herbal medicine, is very effective in preventing metabolic diseases. Our research aims to determine the effects and molecular mechanisms of DG on NAFLD in vivo and in vitro. The effect of DG on hepatic steatosis was evaluated in Sprague‒Dawley (SD) rats induced by a high-fat diet (HFD) and in HepG2 cells exposed to free fatty acids (FFAs, sodium oleate:sodium palmitate = 2:1). DG treatment efficiently managed hepatic lipid deposition in vivo and in vitro. Mechanistically, DG upregulated the expression of FXR and small heterodimer partner (SHP) and downregulated the expression of genes involved in hepatic de novo lipogenesis (DNL), including sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1C (SREBP1C), acetyl-CoA carboxylase 1 (ACC1), and fatty acid synthase (FASN). Moreover, DG promoted the expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARα), which is related to fatty acid oxidation. In addition, DG inhibited the expression of the CD36 molecule (CD36) related to fatty acid uptake. However, hepatic FXR silencing weakened the regulatory effects of DG on these genes. Collectively, our data show that DG has a good effect on alleviating nonalcoholic hepatic steatosis via the hepatic FXR-SHP-SREBP1C/PPARα/CD36 pathway. DG promises to be a novel candidate FXR activator that can be utilized to treat NAFLD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suwen Chen
- Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, 250013, China
| | - Shangwen Sun
- Department of Cardiology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China
| | - Yanan Feng
- Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, 250013, China
| | - Xiu Li
- Department of Endocrinology, Affiliated Linshu County People's Hospital, Linyi, 276799, China
| | - Guoliang Yin
- Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, 250013, China
| | - Pengpeng Liang
- Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, 250013, China
| | - Wenfei Yu
- Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, 250013, China
| | - Decheng Meng
- Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, 250013, China
| | - Xin Zhang
- Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, 250013, China
| | - Hongshuai Liu
- Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, 250013, China
| | - Fengxia Zhang
- Department of Neurology, Affiliated Hospital of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, 250013, China.
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