Identification and Analysis of Compound Profiles of Sinisan Based on 'Individual Herb, Herb-Pair, Herbal Formula' before and after Processing Using UHPLC-Q-TOF/MS Coupled with Multiple Statistical Strategy

Exploring the mechanism of Si-Ni-San against depression by UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS integrated with network pharmacology: experimental research

Background

Depression is becoming an urgent mental health problem. Si-Ni-San has been widely used to treat depression, yet its underlying pharmacological mechanism is poorly understood. Thus, we aim to explore the antidepressant mechanism of Si-Ni-San by chemical analysis and in-silico methods.

Methods

Compounds in Si-Ni-San were determined by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS). Then, bioactive compounds were obtained from Traditional Chinese Medicines for Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform and SwissADME, and the potential targets of which were acquired from SwissTargetPrediction. Depression-related targets were collected from GeneCards. The intersection between compound-related targets and depression-related targets were screened out, and the overlapped targets were further performed protein-protein interaction, biological functional and pathway enrichment analysis. Finally, networks of Si-Ni-San against depression were constructed and visualized by Cytoscape.

Results

One hundred nineteen compounds in Si-Ni-San were determined, of which 24 bioactive compounds were obtained. Then, 137 overlapped targets of Si-Ni-San against depression were collected. AKT1, PIK3R1, PIK3CA, mTOR, MAPK1 and MAPK8 were the key targets. Furthermore, PI3K-Akt signalling pathway, serotonergic synapse, MAPK signalling pathway and neurotrophin signalling pathway were involved in the antidepressant mechanism of Si-Ni-San. It showed that components like sinensetin, hesperetin, liquiritigenin, naringenin, quercetin, albiflorin and paeoniflorin were the mainly key active compounds for the antidepressant effect of Si-Ni-San.

Conclusions

This study demonstrated the key components, key targets and potential pharmacological mechanisms of Si-Ni-San against depression. These results indicate that Si-Ni-San is a promising therapeutic approach for treatment of depression, and may provide evidence for the research and development of drugs for treating depression.

Pharmacokinetic analysis for simultaneous quantification of Saikosaponin A- paeoniflorin in normal and poststroke depression rats: A comparative study

Bupleurum and Paeonia are common compatibilities for the treatment of depression, most of which are used in classical prescriptions. The main active ingredients saikosaponin A (SSA) and paeoniflorin (PF) have significant therapeutic effects on poststroke depression (PSD). However, the pharmacokinetic (PK) behavior based on the combination of the two components has not been reported in rats. The aim of this study was to compare the pharmacokinetic characteristics of combined administration of SSA and PF in normal and PSD rats. Plasma samples were collected after SSA and PF were injected into the rat tail vein, and plasma pretreatments were analyzed by HPLC. Based on the concentration levels of SSA and PF in plasma, Drug and Statistics 3.2.6 (DAS 3.2.6) software was used to establish the blood drug concentration model. PK data showed that compared with the normal rats, the values of related parameters t_1/2α, AUC_(0-t), AUC_(0-∞) were decreased in diseased rats, while the values of CL₁ was increased. These findings suggest that PSD can significantly affect the PK parameters of SSA-PF. This study established a PK model to explore the time-effect relationship, in order to provide experimental and theoretical support for clinical application.

Saikosaponin A and Its Epimers Alleviate LPS-Induced Acute Lung Injury in Mice

The purpose of this work was to illustrate the effect of processing with vinegar on saikosaponins of Bupleurum chinense DC. (BC) and the protective effects of saikosaponin A (SSA), saikosaponin b1 (SSb1), saikosaponin b2 (SSb2), and saikosaponin D (SSD) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced acute lung injury (ALI) mice. We comprehensively evaluated the anti-inflammatory effects and potential mechanisms of SSA, SSb1, SSb2, and SSD through an LPS-induced ALI model using intratracheal injection. The results showed that SSA, SSb1, SSb2, and SSD significantly decreased pulmonary edema; reduced the levels of IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-1β in serum and lung tissues; alleviated pulmonary pathological damage; and decreased the levels of the IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-1β genes and the expression of NF-κB/TLR4-related proteins. Interestingly, they were similar in structure, but SSb2 had a better anti-inflammatory effect at the same dose, according to a principal component analysis. These findings indicated that it may not have been comprehensive to only use SSA and SSD as indicators to evaluate the quality of BC, especially as the contents of SSb1 and SSb2 in vinegar-processed BC were significantly increased.

Rapid separation and identification of 96 main constituents in Huanglian Jiedu decoction via ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-Orbitrap Fusion Tribrid mass spectrometer

Huanglian Jiedu decoction is a widely used traditional Chinese medicine with a broad spectrum of therapeutic effects, including heat clearing, detoxification, and attenuation of inflammation. However, the composition of Huanglian Jiedu decoction is still unclear due to its complexity and limitations of analytical methods. In this study, we established a fast and reliable analytical method based on ultra-performance LC-Orbitrap Fusion Tribrid mass spectrometer for high-speed separation and structural identification of multiple compounds in Huanglian Jiedu decoction. The analysis was carried out using a Hypersil GOLD C18 column (2.1 × 100 mm, 1.9 μm) with gradient elution coupled to a high-definition mass spectrometer system operating in both positive and negative ESI modes. According to the chromatographic retention time, precise molecular weight, fragment ion peaks, and published data, the main chromatographic peaks were attributed to specific molecules whose chemical structures were determined. In total, 96 components were identified, including 34 flavonoids and their glycosides, 23 alkaloids, 18 organic acids, 13 terpenoids, and 8 miscellaneous compounds. This study revealed the detailed chemical composition of Huanglian Jiedu decoction, which is of great importance for quality control and further pharmacological and mechanistic studies.

Synergistic neuroprotective effect of saikosaponin A and albiflorin on corticosterone-induced apoptosis in PC12 cells via regulation of metabolic disorders and neuroinflammation

BACKGROUND

Saikosaponin A (SSA) and albiflorin (AF) are major bioactive compounds of Radix Bupleuri and Radix Paeoniae alba respectively, which possess antidepressant effects in pharmacological experiments. However, whether SSA and AF have synergistic neuroprotective effects and the synergistic mechanisms are still unknown.

METHODS AND RESULTS

The corticosterone-induced PC12 cells apoptosis model was employed to assess the neuroprotective effects of SSA and AF, and the synergistic effect was analyzed using three mathematical models. Meanwhile, cell metabolomics was used to detect the effects on metabolite regulation of SSA and AF. Furthermore, the key metabolites, metabolic enzymes, and cellular markers were verified by ELISA and Western blotting. The results showed that the combination of SSA and AF has a synergistic neuroprotective effect. Besides, the combination could regulate more metabolites than a single agent and possessed a stronger adjustment effect on metabolites. The TCA cycle was regulated by SSA and AF via improving mitochondrial function. The purine metabolism was regulated by SSA via inhibition xanthine oxidase activity and the glutamate metabolism was regulated by AF via inhibition glutaminase activity. Moreover, the oxidative stress induced by the purine metabolism was attenuated by SSA via a reduction in the ROS level. Additionally, the inflammation induced by the oxidative stress was attenuated by the SSA and AF via inhibition of the NLRP3 protein expression.

CONCLUSIONS

This study for the first time demonstrated the synergistic neuroprotective effects of SSA and AF, and the synergistic mechanisms were involved in metabolic disorders regulation and neuroinflammation inhibition.

Integration of Non-Targeted Metabolomics and Targeted Quantitative Analysis to Elucidate the Synergistic Antidepressant Effect of Bupleurum Chinense DC-Paeonia Lactiflora Pall Herb Pair by Regulating Purine Metabolism

Bupleurum chinense DC (Chaihu)-Paeonia lactiflora Pall (Baishao) is among the most accepted herb pairs in many classic antidepressant prescriptions. Our previous study has shown that the Chaihu–Baishao herb pair (CBHP) had a better antidepressant effect than Chaihu or Baishao. Nevertheless, the synergistic antidepressant mechanism of this herb pair was not clearly understood. This study aimed to investigate the compatibility mechanism of Chaihu and Baishao for treating depression through a strategy of non-targeted metabolomics combined with targeted quantitative analysis and molecular biology techniques. First, the compatibility effects of CBHP were assessed by the chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) rat model. Next, cortex metabolomics based on ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography combined with quadrupole orbitrap mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-Orbitrap/MS) was used to discover the metabolic pathway that was synergistically regulated by CBHP. Based on the results of metabolomics analysis, metabolites were quantitatively validated by UPLC-MS/MS combined with the MRM mode in the crucial metabolic pathway. In addition, the signaling pathway associated with this metabolic pathway was detected by molecular biology techniques to further identify the biological meaning of the crucial metabolite on the synergistic antidepressant effect of CBHP. The antidepressant effect of CBHP was significantly better than that of Chaihu or Baishao single administrated in the behavioral test. According to cortex metabolomics, a total of 21 differential metabolites were screened out, and purine metabolism was selected as the crucial metabolic pathway by the enrichment analysis of differential metabolites. Subsequently, purine metabolism was confirmed as disorder in the CUMS group by targeted quantitative analysis, CBHP regulated more purine metabolites (six) than individual administration (two and two). The results showed that purine metabolism was modulated by CBHP through synergistically decreasing xanthine levels and inhibiting the conversion of xanthine dehydrogenase (XDH) to xanthine oxidase (XOD). Finally, the synergistic regulation effect of CBHP on xanthine synthesis was found to be related to inhibition of malondialdehyde (MDA) production, Nod-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome expression, and interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α secretion. The present study demonstrated that the regulation of purine metabolism, the suppression of oxidative stress, and inflammatory responses in the cortex were involved in the synergistic antidepressant effect of CBHP.

Methodology improvement for network pharmacology to correct the deviation of deduced medicinal constituents and mechanism: Xian-Ling-Gu-Bao as an example

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Network pharmacology is extremely adaptive for investigating traditional ethnic drugs, especially the herbal medicines. However, challenges still hang over many related studies due to the limitations in the methodology of conventional network pharmacology.

AIM OF THE STUDY

Our work was aimed to investigate the methodology limitations of conventional network pharmacology with Xian-Ling-Gu-Bao (XLGB) as a representative, meanwhile, propose the strategies for coping with these issues.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Predicted phytochemical constituents formed virtual XLGB. The constituents in realistic XLGB samples was detected by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) to correct the constituent deviation resulted from virtual prediction. Multivariate statistical analysis of quantitative target data were used to reveal the relation of target profile between drug and disease. The key constituents and targets were screened and compared between virtual and realistic XLGB through network analysis. After enrichment analysis, reversing network pharmacology was performed to exclude weak targets and re-construct the interaction from key pathways to key targets. Finally, the core constituents and action mechanism of XLGB were deduced.

RESULTS

Significant deviation of phytochemical constituents was found between virtual and realistic XLGB. As expected, this deviation led to a cascade of deviation ranging from deduced key constituents to key targets and key pathways. Moreover, many key KEGG pathways were enriched and screened out, however, they were almost irrelevant to the studied disease. These results systemically illustrated the limitations in the methodology of conventional network pharmacology. Importantly, the strategies for coping with these limitations were proposed, such as high-throughput detection of the realistic samples, multivariate analysis of target profile and combined enrichment analysis. Finally, based on the improved network pharmacology, the medicinal constituents and mechanism of XLGB against osteoarthritis were effectively deduced.

CONCLUSIONS

Our work highlighted the necessity and proposed the strategies for improving the methodology of conventional network pharmacology. The corrected results from improved network pharmacology provided promising directions for future research on XLGB.

Nutritional composition and antioxidant properties of the fruit of Berberis heteropoda Schrenk

Objective

This study assessed the major nutrients and antioxidant properties of Berberis heteropoda Schrenk fruits collected from the Nanshan Mountain area of Urumqi City, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China.

Methods and materials

We assessed the basic nutrients, including amino acids, minerals, and fatty acids, and determined the total phenol, flavonoid, and anthocyanin contents of the extracts.

Results

The analytical results revealed the average water (75.22 g/100 g), total fat (0.506 g/100 g), total protein (2.55 g/100 g), ash (1.31 g/100 g), and carbohydrate (17.72 g/100 g) contents in fresh B. heteropoda fruit, with total phenol, flavonoid, and anthocyanin contents of B. heteropoda fruits at 68.55 mg gallic acid equivalents/g, 108.42 mg quercetin equivalents/g, and 19.83 mg cyanidin-3-glucoside equivalent/g, respectively. Additionally, UPLC-Q-TOF-MS^E analysis of polyphenols in B. heteropoda fruit revealed 32 compounds.

Conclusion

B. heteropoda fruits may have potential nutraceutical value and represent a potential source of nutrition and antioxidant phytochemicals in the human diet.

Digestion-Promoting Effects and Mechanisms of Dashanzha Pill Based on Raw and Charred Crataegi Fructus

Emerging evidence suggests that a high-fat diet (HFD) can influence endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and gut microbiota. Crataegi Fructus is a traditional Chinese herb widely used in formulas for dyspepsia, with Dashanzha Pill composed of raw Crataegi Fructus (DR) being a representative drug. Processing products of Crataegi Fructus, however, have a stronger pro-digestive effect, and we hypothesized that Dashanzha Pill composed of charred Crataegi Fructus (DC) is more effective. We found that the contents of glucose 1-phosphate and luteolin in DR and DC were substantially different via ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-hybrid quadrupole-Orbitrap high-resolution mass spectrometry. DC outperformed DR in improving histopathological changes, increasing gastrin and motilin, and decreasing vasoactive intestinal peptides in rats with HFD induced dyspepsia. Fecal microbiota analysis revealed that DC could restore the disturbed intestinal microbiota composition, including that of Bacteroides, Akkermansia, and Intestinimonas to normal levels. Furthermore, DC significantly reduced the mRNA and protein levels of glucose-regulated protein 78, protein kinase R-like ER kinase, and eukaryotic initiation factor 2α. Taken together, DC outperformed DR in relieving dyspepsia by regulating gut microbiota and alleviating ER stress.

Rapid Profiling of Chemical Constituents in Qingfei Paidu Granules Using High Performance Liquid Chromatography Coupled with Q Exactive Mass Spectrometry

Qingfei Paidu (QFPD) granules have played a critical role during the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in China. However, worldwide acceptance has been a problem because of the complex ingredients and unique theory of treatment. In this study, high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)-Q Exactive Orbitrap-mass spectrometry (MS) and the Orbitrap traditional Chinese medicine library (OTCML) were used to investigate the chemical constituents of QFPD granules. By comparing retention times, masses, isotope ion patterns, and MS² profiles, 108 compounds were putatively identified using the OTCML combined with manual verification, including 12 alkaloids, 49 flavonoids, 13 terpenoids, 14 phenylpropanoids, 4 phenolic acids, 5 phenols, and 11 other phytochemicals. Of these compounds, 17 were confirmed using reference standards. In addition, representative compounds of these different chemical types were used as examples to analyze the fragmentation pathways and characteristic product ions. Moreover, 20 herbs within the QFPD granules were also identified to establish the sources of these chemical components. This is the first rapid profiling of the chemical constituents of QFPD granules using HPLC-Q Exactive Orbitrap-MS and yields valuable information for further quality control and mechanistic studies of QFPD granules.

Deciphering the synergistic network regulation of active components from SiNiSan against irritable bowel syndrome via a comprehensive strategy: Combined effects of synephrine, paeoniflorin and naringin

BACKGROUND

SiNiSan (SNS) is an ancient Chinese herbal prescription, and the current clinical treatment of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is effective. In the previous study of the research team, the multi-functional co-synergism of SNS against IBS was presented. Some potential drug targets and candidate ligands were predicted.

PURPOSE

This study attempts to explore the crucial ingredient combinations from SNS formula and reveal their synergistic mechanism for IBS therapy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In present study, a comprehensive strategy was performed to reveal IBS related pathways and biological modules, and explore synergistic effects of the ingredients, including ADME (absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion) screening, Text mining, Venn analysis, Gene ontology (GO) analysis, Pathway cluster analysis, Molecular docking, Network construction and Experimental verification in visceral hypersensitivity (VHS) rats.

RESULTS

Three compressed IBS signal pathways were derived from ClueGO KEGG analysis of 63 IBS genes, including Neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction, Inflammatory mediator regulation of TRP (transient receptor potential) channels and Serotonergic synapse. A multi-module network, composed of four IBS therapeutic modules (psychological, inflammation, neuroendocrine and cross-talk modules), was revealed by Target-Pathway network. Nine kernel targets were considered closely associated with the IBS pathways, including ADRA2A, HTR2A, F2RL1, F2RL3, TRPV1, PKC, PKA, IL-1Β and NGF. In silico analysis revealed that three crucial ingredients (synephrine, paeoniflorin and naringin) were assumed to coordinate the network of those IBS therapeutic modules by acting on these kernel targets in the important pathways. In vivo experimental results showed that the crucial ingredient combinations synergistically affected the expressions of the kernel biological molecules, and improved the minimum capacity threshold of AWR in VHS rats.

CONCLUSION

The study proposes the important IBS associated pathways and the network regulation mechanisms of the crucial ingredients. It reveals the multi-target synergistic effect of the crucial ingredient combinations for the novel therapy on IBS.

Systematic investigation of the pharmacological mechanism of Tanreqing injection in treating respiratory diseases by UHPLC/Q-TOF-MS/MS based on multiple in-house chemical libraries coupled with network pharmacology

Tanreqing injection (TRQI), a drug approved by the National Drug Regulatory Authority of China (China SFDA, number: Z20030045), is widely used clinically to treat respiratory diseases. However, as a complex system, the pharmacological mechanism of TRQI for the treatment of respiratory diseases is still unclear. TRQI contains three Chinese medicines that make up the classic Chinese compound formulas Shuang-Huang-Lian (SHL). Moreover, it is known that SHL components are beneficial for characterizing the chemical compounds of TRQI. Therefore, in this study, we applied UHPLC/Q-TOF-MS/MS analysis based on multiple chemical compound libraries to identify the chemical profiles of TRQI and used network pharmacology to predict the potential targets of TRQI active compounds. First, three chemical libraries related to TRQI were created, including the TRQI in-house library, SHL in-house library, and targeted Metlin library. An integrated TRQI library was established by combining three chemical libraries for the identification and characterization of the chemical profiles of TRQI. Second, the potential targets of TRQI active compounds were predicted with the Swiss Target Prediction and TCMSP databases, and targets of respiratory disease were collected from the GeneCards database. Then, the network between the active compounds and common targets was established by Cytoscape 3.7.1. The common targets were imported into the STRING database to construct protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks and select core targets of TRQI against respiratory diseases. Gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) signaling pathway enrichment analyses of the core targets were performed by the Omicsbean analytic system and DAVID database, respectively. As a result, a total of 126 compounds were identified, and network pharmacological analysis showed that luteolin, wogonin, baicalein, chenodeoxycholic acid, l-serine, aspartic acid, oroxylin A, syringin, phenylalanine, and glutamic acid could be the active compounds of TRQI; GABBR1, MAPK3, GRM5, FOS, DRD2, GRM1, VEGFA, GRM3 and 92 other potential core targets for the treatment of respiratory diseases by modulating pathways in cancer, the calcium signaling pathway, cAMP signaling pathway, estrogen signaling pathway and TNF-α signaling pathway.

An integrated approach for structural characterization of Gui Ling Ji by traveling wave ion mobility mass spectrometry and molecular network

Gui Ling Ji (GLJ), an ancient reputable traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formula prescription, has been applied for the treatment of oligospermia and asthenospermia in clinical practice. However, its inherent compounds have not yet been systematically elucidated, which hampers developing standards or guidelines for quality evaluation and even the understanding of pharmacological effects. In this study, an integrated approach has been established for comprehensive structural characterization of GLJ. Mass spectrometry datasets of GLJ and each of the single herb medicines in this prescription have been developed by dynamic exclusion fast data-dependent acquisition and high-definition data-independent acquisition modes on ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with travelling wave ion mobility quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-TWIMS-QTOF-MS). A global natural product social molecular networking (GNPS) platform was then applied for the visualization of chemical space of GLJ and further for the high throughput identification of the targeted or untargeted compounds due to the support of data-transmitting from each single herbal medicine to the formula GLJ. Moreover, drift time, predicted CCS, and diagnostic fragment ions were induced for annotating isomer compounds. Consequently, based on molecular network and library hits, a total of 257 compounds from GLJ, which were classified into 4 structural types, were positively or tentatively characterized. Among them, 20 potential new compounds were detected and 30 pairs of isomers were comprehensively distinguished. The established strategy was effective for attribution, classification, recognition of various constituents, and also was valuable for integrating large amounts of disordered MS/MS data and mining trace compounds in other complex chemical or biochemical systems.

An integrated approach for structural characterization of Gui Ling Ji by traveling wave ion mobility mass spectrometry and molecular network.

Integrated network pharmacology and metabolomics to dissect the combination mechanisms of Bupleurum chinense DC-Paeonia lactiflora Pall herb pair for treating depression

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

The compatibility of Bupleurum chinense DC (Chaihu)-Paeonia lactiflora Pall (Baishao) is one of the most accepted herb pairs in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) prescriptions for treating depression. However, the combination mechanisms of this herb pair for anti-depression remain unclear.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this study, the combined effect of Chaihu-Baishao was evaluated by the chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) rat model. Secondly, network pharmacology was constructed to dissect the united mechanisms. Based on the results of network pharmacology analysis, plasma metabolomics based on ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography combined with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-QTOF/MS) was performed to discover the collaborative effect on metabolite regulation. Furthermore, the targets from network pharmacology and the metabolites from metabolomics were jointly analyzed to select crucial metabolism pathways by MetaScape. Finally, the key metabolic enzymes and metabolites were experimentally validated by ELISA.

RESULTS

The antidepressant effect of Chaihu-Baishao herb pair was significantly better than Chaihu or Baishao in sucrose preference test (SPT), open-field test (OFT), and forced swim test (FST). In network pharmacology, herb pair played synergetic effect through regulating shared pathways, such as MAPK signaling pathway and arachidonic acid metabolism, etc. Besides, by metabolomics, the herb pair improved more metabolites (14) than a single herb (10 & 9) and has a stronger regulation effect on metabolites. Correspondingly, herb pair adjusted more metabolism pathways (5) than individual herb (4 & 4). Furthermore, the arachidonic acid metabolism was selected as crucial metabolism pathways by a joint analysis of 199 targets and 14 metabolites. The results showed that herb pair regulated arachidonic acid metabolism by synergetic reducing the level of arachidonic acid, and inhibiting the enzyme activity of prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 1 (PTGS1) and prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2 (PTGS2).

CONCLUSIONS

This work provided an integrated strategy for revealing the combination mechanisms of Chaihu-Baishao herb pair for treating depression, and also a rational way for clarifying the composition rules of TCM.

Interaction Mechanisms Between Major Depressive Disorder and Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Major depressive disorder (MDD), which is highly associated with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), has complex pathogenic mechanisms. However, a limited number of studies have evaluated the mutual pathomechanisms involved in MDD and NAFLD development. Chronic stress-mediated elevations in glucocorticoid (GC) levels play an important role in the development of MDD-related NAFLD. Elevated GC levels can induce the release of inflammatory factors and changes in gut permeability. Elevated levels of inflammatory factors activate the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, which further increases the release of GC. At the same time, changes in gut permeability promote the release of inflammatory factors, which results in a vicious circle among the three, causing disease outbreaks. Even though the specific role of the thyroid hormone (TH) in this pathogenesis has not been fully established, it is highly correlated with MDD and NAFLD. Therefore, changing lifestyles and reducing psychological stress levels are necessary measures for preventing MDD-related NAFLD. Among them, GC inhibitors and receptor antagonists may be key in the alleviation of early and mid-term disease progression. However, combination medications may be important in late-stage diseases, but they are associated with various side effects. Traditional Chinese medicines have been shown to be potential therapeutic alternatives for such complex diseases.

Sinisan Protects Primary Hippocampal Neurons Against Corticosterone by Inhibiting Autophagy via the PI3K/Akt/mTOR Pathway

Objective: Corticosterone causes significant neurotoxicity in primary hippocampal neurons which is associated with depression. Dysfunctional autophagy is implicated in cognitive impairment and depressive-like behavior. The traditional Chinese medicine Sinisan (SNS) is highly effective in clinical treatment of depression. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying therapeutic effects of SNS are unknown. Purpose: The aim of this study was to elucidate the protective effect of SNS and the underlying mechanisms against corticosterone-induced neuronal damage. Study Design: The effects of serum derived from rats containing SNS (or untreated controls) on the expression of autophagy-related molecules in primary rat hippocampal neurons exposed to different concentrations of corticosterone for different intervals were explored. Methods: CCK-8 assay, LDH assay were used to analyze cell viability and LDH activity. Western blot, qRT-PCR, and immunofluorescence assays were used to determine protein and mRNA expression levels of molecules such as LC3, p62, Beclin1, ULK1, PI3K, p-PI3K, Akt p-Akt, mTOR, p-mTOR, p70S6, p-p70S6, 4ebp1 and p-4ebp1. Results: Corticosterone induced a dose- and time-dependent reduction in cellular viability. Moreover, corticosterone (100-400 μM) treatment for 24 h increased LC3-II/LC3-I protein ratio, increased Beclin1 and ULK1 protein expression levels, and decreased p62, PI3K, p-PI3K, p-Akt, p-mTOR, p-p70S6, and p-4ebp1 protein expression levels. Notably, SNS-containing serum reversed corticosterone-induced reduction of neuronal viability, and increased p62, PI3K, p-Akt, p-mTOR, p-p70S6, and p-4ebp1 protein and mRNA expression levels. In addition, SNS-containing serum decreased LC3-II/LC3-I protein ratio, and downregulated Beclin1, and ULK1 protein and mRNA expression in primary hippocampal neurons. Conclusion: SNS protects primary hippocampal neurons against corticosterone-induced neurotoxicity by preventing excessive autophagy through activation of PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway.

Quality control of the traditional herbs and herbal products: a review

Background

Herbal medicinal material and product need is increasing, and with this increase in the need, it is very much an essential requirement to maintain the quality of them.

Main body

The quality of the herbals is altered by various physical, chemical, and geographical aspects which contribute to the quality of these materials. Apart from that, adulteration is also an increasing concern when it comes to herbal material quality. Various chemical and phytochemical test, analytical techniques, and hyphenated analytical techniques are used for determining the quality aspects of the herbal materials in the herbal pharmaceuticals.

Conclusion

These techniques can be used as quality control tool in assessing the quality of herbal materials and herbal pharmaceuticals.

Study on the Plasma Protein Binding Rate and Compatibility Regularity of the Constituents Migrating to Blood of Simiao Yong'an Decoction

OBJECTIVE

To study the compatibility regularity of Simiao Yong'an decoction by determining the plasma protein binding rate with the constituents in Simiao Yong'an decoction and to preliminarily clarify the effects of the compatibility on the plasma protein binding rate of different components.

METHODS

Based on the equilibrium dialysis method, high-performance liquid chromatography was used to determine the contents of six constituents, which were divided into a single group and combination groups, in Simiao Yong'an decoction in the internal and external dialysis solutions. The obtained plasma protein binding rate through calculations was an index to evaluate the binding of the above components to plasma protein in different conditions.

RESULTS

Harpagide, harpagoside, sweroside and loganin showed low plasma protein binding rates, ferulic acid exhibited a moderate plasma protein binding rate, and glycyrrhizic acid showed a high plasma protein binding rate. The compatibility study showed that glycyrrhizic acid promoted the binding of ferulic acid to plasma protein. Glycyrrhizic acid and ferulic acid were the key compounds to promote the binding of harpagide to plasma protein. Glycyrrhizic acid, harpagide, harpagoside and loganin had a significant inhibitory effects on the binding of sweroside to plasma protein. The plasma protein binding capacities of harpagoside and loganin were reduced by the other five constituents. Glycyrrhizic acid had the strongest plasma protein binding effect, and the binding effect was not affected by other components.

CONCLUSION

This study explores the effects of compound compatibility on effective components from the perspective of plasma protein binding by high-performance liquid chromatography combined with the equilibrium dialysis method, and lays a foundation for clarifying the compatibility rule of Simiao Yong'an decoction and also provides a new idea for the study of the compatibility of traditional Chinese medicine formulas.

Understanding the Mechanistic Contribution of Herbal Extracts in Compound Kushen Injection With Transcriptome Analysis

Herbal compatibility is the knowledge of which herbs to combine in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formulations. The lack of understanding of herbal compatibility is one of the key problems for the application and popularization of TCM in western society. Because of the chemical complexity of herbal medicines, it is simpler to begin to conduct compatibility research based on herbs rather than component plant secondary metabolites. We have used transcriptome analysis to explore the effects and interactions of two plant extracts (Kushen and Baituling) combined in Compound Kushen Injection (CKI). Based on shared chemical compounds and in vitro cytotoxicity comparisons, we found that both the major compounds in CKI, and the cytotoxicity effects of CKI were mainly derived from the extract of Kushen (Sophorae flavescentis). We generated and analyzed transcriptome data from MDA-MB-231 cells treated with single-herb extracts or CKI and results showed that Kushen contributed to the perturbation of the majority of cytotoxicity/cancer related pathways in CKI such as cell cycle and DNA replication. We also found that Baituling (Heterosmilax yunnanensis Gagnep) could not only enhance the cytotoxic effects of Kushen in CKI, but also activate immune-related pathways. Our analyses predicted that IL-1β gene expression was upregulated by Baituling in CKI and we confirmed that IL-1β protein expression was increased using an ELISA assay. Altogether, these findings help to explain the rationale for combining Kushen and Baituling in CKI, and show that transcriptome analysis using single herb extracts is an effective method for understanding herbal compatibility in TCM.