Jian-Ti-Kang-Yi decoction alleviates poly(I:C)-induced pneumonia by inhibiting inflammatory response, reducing oxidative stress, and modulating host metabolism

Neuroplasticity elicited by peripheral immune challenge with a viral mimetic

Peripheral viral infections are well known to profoundly alter brain function; however detailed mechanisms of this immune-to-brain communication have not been deciphered. This review focuses on studies of cerebral effects of peripheral viral challenge employing intraperitoneal injection of a viral mimetic, polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid (PIC). In this paradigm, PIC challenge induces the acute phase response (APR) characterized by a transient surge of circulating inflammatory factors, primarily IFNβ, IL-6 and CXCL10. The blood-borne factors, in turn, elicit the generation of CXCL10 by hippocampal neurons. Neurons also express the cognate receptor of CXCL10, i.e., CXCR3 implicating the existence of autocrine/paracrine signaling. The CXCL10/CXCR3 axis mediates the ensuing neuroplastic changes manifested as neuronal hyperexcitability, seizure hypersusceptibility, and sickness behavior. Electrophysiological studies revealed that the neuroplastic changes entail the potentiation of excitatory synapses likely at both pre- and postsynaptic loci. Excitatory synaptic transmission is further augmented by PIC challenge-induced elevation of extracellular glutamate that is mediated by astrocytes. In addition, the hyperexcitability of neuronal circuits might involve the repression of inhibitory signaling. Accordingly, CXCL10 released by neurons activates microglia whose processes invade perisomatic inhibitory synapses, resulting in a partial detachment of the presynaptic terminals, and thus, de-inhibition. This process might be facilitated by the cerebral complement system, which is also upregulated and activated by PIC challenge. Moreover, CXCL10 stimulates the expression of neuronal c-fos protein, another index of hyperexcitability. The reviewed studies form a foundation for full elucidation of the fascinating intersection between peripheral viral infections and neuroplasticity. Because the activation of such pathways may constitute a serious comorbidity factor for neuropathological conditions, this research would advance the development of preventive strategies.

DIAMMONIUM GLYCYRRHIZINATE INHIBITED INFLAMMATORY RESPONSE AND MODULATED SERUM METABOLISM IN POLY(I:C)-INDUCED PNEUMONIA MODEL MICE

ABSTRACT

Currently, the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is becoming a serious threat to human health worldwide. Therefore, there is a great need to develop effective drugs against viral pneumonia. Diammonium glycyrrhizinate (DG), derived from Glycyrrhiza glabra L., has been demonstrated with significant anti-inflammatory properties. However, the therapeutic effects and mechanisms of DG on pneumonia require further clarification. In this study, mice received intratracheal injection of polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid (poly(I:C)) to induce pneumonia and were treated with DG. First, we evaluated the therapeutic potential of DG on poly(I:C)-induced pneumonia. Second, the anti-inflammatory and antioxidative activities and the impact of DG on the toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3) pathway were investigated. Third, the mechanism of DG was analyzed through untargeted metabolomics techniques. Our results revealed that DG intervention decreased permeability and reduced abnormal lung alterations in poly(I:C)-induced pneumonia model mice. DG intervention also downregulated cytokine levels in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. Moreover, DG treatment inhibited the activation of TLR3 pathway. Furthermore, untargeted metabolomics analysis revealed that DG intervention could modulate serum metabolites involved in amino and nucleotide sugar metabolism, fructose and mannose metabolism, tyrosine metabolism, and phenylalanine, tyrosine, and tryptophan biosynthesis pathways. In conclusion, our study showed that DG could ameliorate poly(I:C)-induced pneumonia by inactivating the TLR3 pathway and affecting amino and nucleotide sugar, fructose and mannose metabolism, as well as tryptophan, phenylalanine, and tyrosine biosynthesis.

Traditional Chinese medicine in regulating macrophage polarization in immune response of inflammatory diseases

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Numerous studies have demonstrated that various traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs) exhibit potent anti-inflammatory effects against inflammatory diseases mediated through macrophage polarization and metabolic reprogramming.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The objective of this review was to assess and consolidate the current understanding regarding the pathogenic mechanisms governing macrophage polarization in the context of regulating inflammatory diseases. We also summarize the mechanism action of various TCMs on the regulation of macrophage polarization, which may contribute to facilitate the development of natural anti-inflammatory drugs based on reshaping macrophage polarization.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We conducted a comprehensive review of recently published articles, utilizing keywords such as "macrophage polarization" and "traditional Chinese medicines" in combination with "inflammation," as well as "macrophage polarization" and "inflammation" in conjunction with "natural products," and similar combinations, to search within PubMed and Google Scholar databases.

RESULTS

A total of 113 kinds of TCMs (including 62 components of TCMs, 27 TCMs as well as various types of extracts of TCMs and 24 Chinese prescriptions) was reported to exert anti-inflammatory effects through the regulation of key pathways of macrophage polarization and metabolic reprogramming.

CONCLUSIONS

In this review, we have analyzed studies concerning the involvement of macrophage polarization and metabolic reprogramming in inflammation therapy. TCMs has great advantages in regulating macrophage polarization in treating inflammatory diseases due to its multi-pathway and multi-target pharmacological action. This review may contribute to facilitate the development of natural anti-inflammatory drugs based on reshaping macrophage polarization.

Aqueous extract of Polygala japonica Houtt. ameliorated nonalcoholic steatohepatitis in mice through restoring the gut microbiota disorders and affecting the metabolites in feces and liver

BACKGROUND

Polygala japonica Houtt. (PJ) has been demonstrated with several biological potentials such as lipid-lowering and anti-inflammatory effects. However, the effects and mechanisms of PJ on nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) remain unclear.

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of PJ on NASH and illustrate the mechanism based on modulating gut microbiota and host metabolism.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

NASH mouse model was induced using methionine and choline deficient (MCD) diet and orally treated with PJ. The therapeutic, anti-inflammatory, and anti-oxidative effects of PJ on mice with NASH were firstly assessed. Then, the gut microbiota of mice was analyzed using 16S rRNA sequencing to assess the changes. Finally, the effects of PJ on the metabolites in liver and feces were explored by untargeted metabolomics.

RESULTS

The results indicated that PJ could improve hepatic steatosis, liver injury, inflammatory response, and oxidative stress in NASH mice. PJ treatment also affected the diversity of gut microbiota and changed the relative abundances of Faecalibaculum. Lactobacillus, Muribaculaceae, Dubosiella, Akkermansia, Lachnospiraceae_NK4A136_group, and Turicibacter in NASH mice. In addition, PJ treatment modulated 59 metabolites both in liver and feces. Metabolites involved in histidine, and tryptophan metabolism pathways were identified as the key metabolites according to the correlation analysis between differential gut microbiota and metabolites.

CONCLUSION

Our study demonstrated the therapeutic, anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative potentials of PJ on NASH. The mechanisms of PJ treatment were related to the improvement of gut microbiota dysbiosis and the regulation of histidine and tryptophan metabolism.

Study on the Mechanism of Qing-Fei-Shen-Shi Decoction on Asthma Based on Integrated 16S rRNA Sequencing and Untargeted Metabolomics

Qing-Fei-Shen-Shi decoction (QFSS) consists of Prunus armeniaca L., Gypsum Fibrosum, Smilax glabra Roxb., Coix lacryma-jobi L., Benincasa hispida (Thunb.) Cogn., Plantago asiatica L., Pyrrosia lingua (Thunb.) Farw., Houttuynia cordata Thunb., Fritillaria thunbergii Miq., Cicadae Periostracum, and Glycyrrhizae Radix Et Rhizoma Praeparata Cum Melle. QFSS shows significant clinical efficacy in the treatment of asthma. However, the specific mechanism of QFSS on asthma remains unclear. Recently, multiomics techniques are widely used in elucidating the mechanisms of Chinese herbal formulas. The use of multiomics techniques can better illuminate the multicomponents and multitargets of Chinese herbal formulas. In this study, ovalbumin (OVA) was first employed to induce an asthmatic mouse model, followed by a gavage of QFSS. First, we evaluated the therapeutic effects of QFSS on the asthmatic model mice. Second, we investigated the mechanism of QFSS in treating asthma by using an integrated 16S rRNA sequencing technology and untargeted metabolomics. Our results showed that QFSS treatment ameliorated asthma in mice. In addition, QFSS treatment affected the relative abundances of gut microbiota including Lactobacillus, Dubosiella, Lachnospiraceae_NK4A136_group, and Helicobacter. Untargeted metabolomics results showed that QFSS treatment regulated the metabolites such as 2-(acetylamino)-3-[4-(acetylamino) phenyl] acrylic acid, D-raffinose, LysoPC (15 : 1), methyl 10-undecenoate, PE (18 : 1/20 : 4), and D-glucose6-phosphate. These metabolites are associated with arginine and proline metabolism, arginine biosynthesis, pyrimidine metabolism, and glycerophospholipid metabolism. Correlation analysis indicated that arginine and proline metabolism and pyrimidine metabolism metabolic pathways were identified as the common metabolic pathways of 16s rRNA sequencing and untargeted metabolomics. In conclusion, our results showed that QFSS could ameliorate asthma in mice. The possible mechanism of QFSS on asthma may be associated with regulating the gut microbiota and arginine and proline metabolism and pyrimidine metabolism. Our study may be useful for researchers to study the integrative mechanisms of Chinese herbal formulas based on modulating gut microbiota and metabolism.