High-Throughput Metabolomics Integrated Network Pharmacology Reveals the Underlying Mechanism of Paeoniae Radix Alba Treating Rheumatoid Arthritis

'Nine Steaming Nine Sun-drying' processing enhanced properties of Polygonatum kingianum against inflammation, oxidative stress and hyperglycemia

BACKGROUND

Polygonatum kingianum Coll. & Hemsl (PK), a prominent medicine and food homology plant, has been consumed as a decoction from boiling water for thousands of years. 'Nine Steaming Nine Sun-drying' processing has been considered an effective method for enriching tonic properties, but studies investigating such impacts on PK and underlying mechanisms are extremely rare.

RESULTS

We first demonstrated substantial improvements in the anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory and anti-hyperglycemia effects of the Nine Steaming Nine Sun-drying processed PK water extracts compared with crude PK in cell models (i.e., HepG2 and Raw 264.7 cells). We then integrated foodomics and network pharmacology analysis to uncover the key compounds responsible for the improved benefits. A total of 551 metabolites of PK extracts were identified, including polyphenols, flavonoids, alkaloids, and organic acids. During processing, 204 metabolites were enhanced, and 32 metabolites were recognized as key constituents of processed PK responsible for the improved health-promoting activities, which may affect PI3K-Akt-, MAPK-, and HIF-1 pathways. We further confirmed the high affinity between identified key constituents of processed PK and their predicted acting targets using molecular docking.

CONCLUSION

Our results provide novel insights into bioactive compounds of processed PK, elaborating the rationality of processing from the perspective of tonic effects. Consuming processed PK could be an efficacious strategy to combat the high prevalence of metabolic diseases that currently affect millions of people worldwide. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.

Paeonia lactiflora Pall. Polysaccharide alleviates depression in CUMS mice by inhibiting the NLRP3/ASC/Caspase-1 signaling pathway and affecting the composition of their intestinal flora

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Paeonia lactiflora Pall. (PL) has been commonly used to de-stressing the liver and relieve depression in traditional Chinese medicine for over a thousand years. Recently, it has been widely used in studies on anti-depressant, anti-inflammatory and regulation of intestinal flora. However, the polysaccharide component has received less attention than the saponin component of PL.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This study aimed to elucidate the effects of Paeonia lactiflora polysaccharide (PLP) on depressive behavior in mice in a chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) model and its possible action mechanisms.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A model of chronic depression induced by the CUMS approach. Behavioral experiments were used to assess the success of the CUMS model and the therapeutic impact of PLP. Then the extent of damage to the colonic mucosa was assessed by H&E staining; the extent of neuronal damage was assessed by Nissler staining. Inflammatory factor expression was assessed at different sites in the mouse by enzyme-linked immunoassay (Elisa). The alterations of fecal microflora were detected by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. In the colonic tissues, NLRP3, ASC and Caspase-1 mRNA and protein levels detected by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) and Western blot(WB).

RUSULTS

PLP can improve depressive behavior in CUMS mice, and colonic mucosal and neuronal damage. Elisa assay showed that PLP could reduce interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) levels, and increase 5-Hydroxytryptamine(5-HT) levels in CUMS mice. 16S sequencing analysis showed that PLP could regulate the intestinal flora of CUMS mice and increase their species richness. In addition, PLP significantly inhibited NLRP3/ASC/Caspase-1 signalling pathways activation in the colonic tissues of CUMS mice.

CONCLUSIONS

PLP modulates depression-related intestinal ecological dysregulation, increases species richness, and inhibits inflammatory factors levels and NLRP3 inflammasome activation to reduce colonic mucosal and neurons damage, thereby improving depression-like behavior and neurotransmitter release in CUMS mice.