The Multivariate Regression Statistics Strategy to Investigate Content-Effect Correlation of Multiple Components in Traditional Chinese Medicine Based on a Partial Least Squares Method

Mechanism of Qingchang Suppository on repairing the intestinal mucosal barrier in ulcerative colitis

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a refractory inflammatory bowel disease, and the outcomes of conventional therapies of UC, including 5-aminosalicylic acid, glucocorticoids, immunosuppressants, and biological agents, are not satisfied with patients and physicians with regard to adverse reactions and financial burden. The abnormality of the intestinal mucosal barrier in the pathogenesis of UC was verified. Qingchang Suppository (QCS) is an herbal preparation and is effective in treating ulcerative proctitis. The mechanism of QCS and its active ingredients have not been concluded especially in mucosal healing. This review elucidated the potential mechanism of QCS from the intestinal mucosal barrier perspective to help exploring future QCS research directions.

Effect and possible mechanisms of saponins in Chinese herbal medicine exerts for the treatment of myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury in experimental animal: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Introduction

Preventing ischemia-reperfusion injury is the main direction of myocardial infarction treatment in the convalescent stage. Some studies have suggested that saponins in Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) preparations can protect the myocardium by various mechanisms. Our meta-analysis aims to evaluate the efficacy of TCM saponins in treating myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury (MIRI) and to summarize the potential molecular mechanisms further.

Methods

We conducted a literature search in six electronic databases [Web of Science, PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Sinomed, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI)] until October 2022.

Results

Seventeen eligible studies included 386 animals (254 received saponins and 132 received vehicles). The random effect model is used to calculate the combined effect. The effect size is expressed as the weighted average difference (WMD) and 95% confidence interval (CI). Compared with placebo, saponins preconditioning reduced infarct size after MIRI significantly (WMD: -3.60,95% CI: -4.45 to -2.74, P < 0.01, I2: 84.7%, P < 0.001), and significantly increased EF (WMD: 3.119, 95% CI: 2.165 to 4.082, P < 0.01, I2: 82.9%, P < 0.0 L) and FS (WMD: 3.157, 95% CI: 2.218 to 4.097, P < 0.001, I2: 81.3%, P < 0.001).

Discussion

The results show that the pre-administration of saponins from TCM has a significant protective effect on MIRI in preclinical studies, which provides an application prospect for developing anti-MIRI drugs with high efficiency and low toxicity.

Application of metabolomics and network analysis to reveal the ameliorating effect of four typical “hot” property herbs on hypothyroidism rats

Herbs with a “hot” properties are frequently used to treat cold symptoms in TCM. However, the underlying mechanisms of the herbs with “hot” properties on hypothyroidism have not been investigated. This study aimed to explore four typical “hot” and “cold” property herb on hypothyroidism. Firstly, the difference efficacy between the four typical “hot” property herbs and the four typical “cold” property herbs was assessed by physical signs, thyroid function, and the metabolic profile using multivariate statistical analysis. The influence of the four typical “hot” property herbs on hypothyroidism was validated pathologically. The impact mechanism of the four typical “hot” property herbs on hypothyroidism was investigated through a metabolomics method combined with network analysis. Na⁺/K⁺-ATP, ACC1 enzyme, UCP-1, and the PI3K-Akt pathway were used to confirm the metabolite pathways and target-associated metabolites. The results showed that the four typical “hot” property herbs could significantly improve physical signs, thyroid function, and the metabolic profile in hypothyroidism rats, the four typical “cold” property herbs did not show any benefit. Moreover, the four typical “hot” property herbs could improve lipid metabolism, energy metabolism, and thyroid hormone levels by the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, Ca²⁺- AMPK signaling pathways, purine metabolism, and tryptophan metabolism. Additionally, the levels of UCP-1, Na+/K + -ATP enzyme, and ACC1 were ameliorated by the four typical “hot” property herbs in hypothyroidism rats. Therefore, a metabolomics strategy combined with network analysis was successfully performed and interpreted the mechanism of the four typical “hot” property herbs on hypothyroidism based on the theory of “cold and hot” properties of TCM well.

Application of Proteomics and Metabonomics to Reveal the Molecular Basis of Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizome for Ameliorating Hypothyroidism Instead of Hyperthyroidism

As the treatments of diseases with Chinese herbs are holistic and characterized by multiple components, pathways, and targets, elucidating the efficacy of Chinese herbs in treating diseases, and their molecular basis, requires a comprehensive, network-based approach. In this study, we used a network pharmacology strategy, as well as in vivo proteomics and metabonomics, to reveal the molecular basis by which Atractylodis macrocephalae rhizome (AMR) ameliorates hypothyroidism. Eighteen main compounds from AMR and its fractions (volatile oil fraction, crude polysaccharides fraction, lactones fraction, oligosaccharide fraction, and atractyloside fraction) were identified by HPLC, and their targets were screened using the TCMSP database and Swiss Target Prediction. Disease targets were gathered from the TTD, CTD and TCMSP databases. Hub targets were screened by different plug-ins, such as Bisogene, Merge, and CytoNCA, in Cytoscape 3.7.1 software and analyzed for pathways by the DAVID database. Hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism pharmacological models were established through systems pharmacology based on proteomic and metabolomic techniques. Finally, AMR and its fractions were able to ameliorate the hypothyroidism model to different degrees, whereas no significant improvements were noted in the hyperthyroidism model. The lactones fraction and the crude polysaccharides fraction were considered the most important components of AMR for ameliorating hypothyroidism. These amelioration effects were achieved through promoting substance and energy metabolism. In sum, the integrative approach used in this study demonstrates how network pharmacology, proteomics, and metabolomics can be used effectively to elucidate the efficacy, molecular basis, and mechanism of action of medicines used in TCM.

Notoginsenoside R1 induces DNA damage via PHF6 protein to inhibit cervical carcinoma cell proliferation

Notoginsenoside R1 (NGR1), a monomer of Traditional Chinese medicine, is from the Panax notoginsenoside complex, and has been reported to inhibit the proliferation of various types of cancer. However the mechanism underlying NGR1-mediated inhibition of cervical carcinoma cell proliferation remains unclear. Therefore, the current study aimed to investigate the antitumor effects of NGR1 on cervical carcinoma cell lines (CaSki and HeLa cells) in vitro. The Cell Counting Kit-8 and soft agar cell colony formation assay results revealed that NGR1 suppressed the viability and the number colonies of CaSki and HeLa cells, respectively. Furthermore, the DAPI staining, flow cytometry and western blotting results revealed that NGR1 induced cervical carcinoma cell apoptosis, cell cycle arrest in the S phase, upregulation of cyclin A2 and CDK2 expression levels, and downregulation of cyclin D1 expression levels. To further investigate the mechanisms of NGR1, DNA-damage-related proteins, including H2A.X variant histone (H2AX), ATR serine/threonine kinase (ATR) and p53, and the nucleolus protein, plant homeodomain finger protein 6 (PHF6) were analyzed. The results indicated that NGR1 triggered the phosphorylation of H2AX and ATR in a dose- and time-dependent manner, and downregulated the expression level of PHF6 and upregulated the expression level of p53 in a dose- and time-dependent manner. In conclusion, the findings of the present indicated that NGR1 may inhibit the viability of cervical carcinoma cells and induce cell apoptosis via DNA damage, which may be activated by the downregulation of PHF6 expression levels, and the subsequent triggering of the phosphorylation of H2AX and ATR. In addition, NGR1 may exert an ability to arrest cervical carcinoma cells in the S phase and upregulate the expression levels of cyclin A2 and CDK2. Therefore, NGR1 may serve as a novel chemotherapeutic agent for cervical carcinoma.

Saponins as Modulators of the Blood Coagulation System and Perspectives Regarding Their Use in the Prevention of Venous Thromboembolic Incidents

Saponins comprise a heterogenous group of chemical compounds containing a triterpene or steroid aglycone group and at least one sugar chain. They exist as secondary metabolites, occurring frequently in dicotyledonous plants and lower marine animals. Plant saponin extracts or single saponins have indicated antiplatelet and anticoagulant activity. Venous thromboembolism (VTE), including deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism, is a multifactorial disease influenced by various patient characteristics such as age, immobility, previous thromboembolism and inherited thrombophilia. This mini-review (1) evaluates the current literature on saponins as modulators of the coagulation system, (2) discusses the impact of chemical structure on the modulation of the coagulation system, which may further provide a basis for drug or supplement design, (3) examines perspectives of their use in the prevention of VTE. It also describes the molecular mechanisms of action of the saponins involved in the prevention of VTE.

Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Activities of the Crude Extracts of Raw and Fermented Tomato Pomace and Their Correlations with Aglycate-Polyphenols

Two tomato pomace (TP) were studied as feedstocks to obtain extracts that are rich in polyphenols. TPs prompt degradation impairs biomass safety, thus naturally present microflora were tested to perform conservation, and own lactic bacteria became predominant after 60 days of treatment. The extracts of TPs and TPs fermented (TPF) were chemically characterized and tested for antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. Flavonoids and phenolic acids were classed as aglycone-polyphenols (A-PP), the most bioactive polyphenol fraction. Fermentation led to a reduction of the A-PP amount, but no significant change in composition. Antioxidant power increased, despite the A-PP reduction, for the presence of fermentation metabolites having aromatic-substituent. TP and TPF both have anti-inflammatory properties that were strictly dependent upon the A-PP content. Fermentation preserved the anti-inflammatory activity and the Partial Least Square (PLS) identified as the most active molecules naringenin chalcone, kaempferol, gallic acid, and cinnamic acid, together with the definition of the active dose.

Ginsenoside Rb1 attenuates intestinal ischemia/reperfusion‑induced inflammation and oxidative stress via activation of the PI3K/Akt/Nrf2 signaling pathway

Ginsenoside Rb1 (GRb1), one of the major active saponins isolated from ginseng, has recently been reported to protect various organs against ischemia/reperfusion (IR) injury; however, the mechanisms underlying these protective effects following intestinal IR (IIR) remain unclear. The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of GRb1 on IIR injury and determine the mechanisms involved in these effects. Sprague Dawley rats were subjected to 75 min of superior mesenteric artery occlusion, followed by 3 h of reperfusion. GRb1 (15 mg/kg) was administered intraperitoneally 1 h prior to the induction of IIR, with or without intravenous administration of Wortmannin [WM; a phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) inhibitor, 0.6 mg/kg]. The degree of intestinal injury and oxidative stress-induced damage was determined by histopathologic evaluation and measurement of the serum activity levels of D-lactate, diamine oxidase and endotoxin, and the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and 8-iso-prostaglandin F_2α (8-iso-PGF_2α). The protein expression levels of p85, phosphorylated (p)-p85, protein kinase B (Akt), p-Akt and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) were determined via western blotting, and the concentrations of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-6 were measured via ELISA. It was revealed that IIR led to severe intestinal injury (as determined by significant increases in intestinal Chiu scores), which was accompanied with disruptions in the integrity of the intestinal mucosal barrier. IIR also increased the expression levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, MDA and 8-iso-PGF_2α in the intestine, and decreased those of SOD. GRb1 reduced intestinal histological injury, and suppressed inflammatory responses and oxidative stress. Additionally, the protective effects of GRb1 were eliminated by WM. These findings indicated that GRb1 may ameliorate IIR injury by activating the PI3K/protein kinase B/Nrf2 pathway.