The treatment of Uygur medicine Dracocephalum moldavica L on chronic mountain sickness rat model

Dracocephalum moldavica L.: An updated comprehensive review of its botany, traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology, and application aspects

Dracocephalum moldavica, known as Xiang-qing-lan (in Chinese), is a traditional folk medicine, which was commonly used by Mongolian and Xinjiang Uyghurs area. Dracocephalum moldavica has the effects of purging liver fire, clearing stomach heat, hemostasis. It is used for treating insufficient heart and blood, weakened brain function, weak feeling and spirit disease etc. This review aimed to summarize the botany, traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology and application of Dracocephalum moldavica, which expected to provide theoretical support for future utilization and highlight the further investigation of this vital plant. In addition to the essential oil, approximately 154 compounds have been isolated and identified from aerial parts of the Dracocephalum moldavica, including flavonoids, terpenoids, lignans, phenylpropanoids, phenols, glycosides, polysaccharide and other compounds. Extensive pharmacological activities of the extracts or compounds of Dracocephalum moldavica in vivo and in vitro were confirmed including cardiovascular protection, antioxidative, antimicrobial, antifungal, anti-complementary and chronic mountain sickness. Moreover, Dracocephalum moldavica is used in a wide range of applications in food, biological pesticides and cosmetics. In the future, Dracocephalum moldavica needs further study, such as paying more attention to quality control, toxicity, pharmacological mechanism and pharmacokinetics.

Recent Progress in the Understanding and Management of Acute Mountain Sickness: A Narrative Review

BACKGROUND

Individuals at higher altitudes may experience a decrease in blood oxygen levels, which can result in a variety of clinical illnesses, such as high-altitude pulmonary edema, high-altitude cerebral edema, and milder but more common acute mountain sickness (AMS).

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to review the current state of knowledge related to motion sickness, the risk of AMS, and pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments for AMS.

METHODS

Several databases, including PubMed, Bentham Science, Elsevier, Springer, and Research Gate, were used to compile the data for the article following a thorough analysis of the various research findings connected to acute mountain sickness and motion sickness, along with treatments and prevention.

RESULTS

This article covers the research on mountain sickness as well as every imaginable form of conventional and alternative medicine. It contains ten medicinal plants that are useful in treating mountain sickness and various other remedies. Additionally, case studies are provided.

CONCLUSION

Therefore, the information in the paper will help travel medicine specialists better personalize their appropriate care for patients who travel to high-altitude locations. Additionally, all available antiemetic medications, serotonin agonists, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and herbal treatments for motion sickness were discussed. The prevention and consequences of acute mountain sickness are also covered in this study.

Tilianin improves lipid profile and alleviates atherosclerosis in ApoE-/- mice through up-regulation of SREBP2-mediated LDLR expression

BACKGROUND

The huge global burden of atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) represents an urgent unmet need for the development of novel therapeutics. Dracocephalum moldavica L. has been used as a traditional Uygur medicine to treat various CVDs for centuries. Tilianin is a major flavonoid component of D. moldavica L. and has potential for preventing atherosclerosis. However, the molecular mechanisms that tilianin attenuate atherosclerosis are far from fully understood.

PURPOSES

The purpose of this study is to investigate the efficiency and underlying mechanisms of tilianin in controlling lipid profile and preventing atherogenesis.

METHODS

The lipid-lowering effect of tilianin was evaluated in C57BL/6 and ApoE^-/- mice by systematically determining serum biochemical parameters. The effects of tilianin on the atherosclerotic lesion were observed in aortic roots and whole aortas of ApoE^-/- mice with oil red O staining. Caecal content from ApoE^-/- mice were collected for 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis to assess the structure of the gut microbiota. The inhibition of hepatosteatosis was verified by histological examination, and a liver transcriptome analysis was performed to elucidate the tilianin-induced hepatic transcriptional alterations. Effects of tilianin on the expression and function of LDLR were examined in HepG2 cells and ApoE^-/- mice. Further mechanisms underlying the efficacy of tilianin were investigated in HepG2 cells.

RESULTS

Tilianin treatment improved lipid profiles in C57BL/6 and dyslipidemic ApoE^-/- mice, especially reducing the serum LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C) level. Significant reductions of atherosclerotic lesion area and hepatosteatosis were observed in tilianin-treated ApoE^-/- mice. The altered gut microbial composition in tilianin groups was associated with lipid metabolism and atherosclerosis. The liver transcriptome revealed that tilianin regulated the transcription of lipid metabolism-related genes. Then both in vitro and in vivo analyses revealed the potent effect of tilianin to enhance hepatic LDLR expression and its mediated LDL-C uptake. Further studies confirmed a critical role of SREBP2 in hepatic LDLR up-regulation by tilianin via increasing precursor and thus mature nuclear SREBP2 level.

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrated the lipid-lowering effect of tilianin through SREBP2-mediated transcriptional activation of LDLR. Our findings reveal a novel anti-atherosclerotic mechanism of tilianin and underlie its potential clinical use in modulating CVDs with good availability and affordability.

Tilianin improves cognition in a vascular dementia rodent model by targeting miR-193b-3p/CaM- and miR-152-3p/CaMKIIα-mediated inflammatory and apoptotic pathways

Introduction

Although vascular dementia (VaD) is the second most prevalent form of dementia, there is currently a lack of effective treatments. Tilianin, isolated from the traditional drug Dracocephalum moldavica L., may protect against ischemic injury by inhibiting oxidative stress and inflammation via the CaMKII-related pathways but with weak affinity with the CaMKII molecule. microRNAs (miRNAs), functioning in post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression, may play a role in the pathological process of VaD via cognitive impairment, neuroinflammatory response, and neuronal dysfunction. This study aimed to investigate the role of tilianin in VaD therapy and the underlying mechanism through which tilianin regulates CaMKII signaling pathways based on miRNA-associated transcriptional action.

Methods

Rats with 2-vessel occlusion (2VO), a standard model of VaD, were treated with tilianin, vehicle control, and target overexpression or downregulation. High-throughput sequencing, qRT-PCR, and western blot analyses were utilized to identify the downstream target genes and signaling pathways of tilianin involved in VaD.

Results

Our results showed that tilianin ameliorated cognitive deficits, neurodegeneration, and microglial and astrocytic activation in rats with 2VO. Subsequent high-throughput sequencing and qRT-PCR analyses revealed that tilianin increased the downregulated miR-193b-3p and miR-152-3p levels in the cortex and hippocampus of 2VO rats. Mechanistically, miR-193b-3p targeting CaM and miR-152-3p targeting CaMKIIα were identified to play a role in VaD-associated pathology, inhibiting the p38 MAPK/NF--κB p65 pathway and decreasing TNF-α and IL-6 levels. Further gain- and loss-of-function experiments for these key genes showed that tilianin-exerted cognitive improvement by activating the p38 MAPK/NF--κB p65 and Bcl-2/Bax/caspase-3/PARP pathways in the brain of 2VO rats was abolished by miR-193b-3p and miR-152-3p inhibition. Moreover, CaM and CaMKIIα overexpression eliminated the elevated effects of miR-193b-3p and miR-152-3p on tilianin's protection against ischemic injury through increased inflammatory reactions and apoptotic signaling.

Discussion

Together, these findings indicate that tilianin improves cognition by regulating the miR-193b-3p/CaM- and miR-152-3p/CaMKIIα-mediated inflammatory and apoptotic pathways, suggesting a potential small-molecule regulator of miRNA associated with inflammatory signaling for VaD treatment.

Effect of a Plateau Environment on the Oxidation State of the Heart and Liver through AMPK/p38 MAPK/Nrf2-ARE Signaling Pathways in Tibetan and DLY Pigs

This study evaluated the effect of a plateau environment on the heart and liver oxidation state of Tibetan pigs (TPs) and DLY pigs through analyzing AMPK, p38 MAPK, and Nrf2 signaling pathways. Twelve 120-day-old TPs and twelve 120-day-old DLY pigs were randomly divided into two groups in a plateau environment for three weeks. Exposed to a plateau environment, TPs exhibited a lower (p < 0.05) malondialdehyde level but higher (p < 0.05) glutathione, superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) activities in the liver and heart than those observed in DLY pigs. TPs also showed higher (p < 0.05) mRNA levels of SOD and GSH-Px in the liver and heart compared with those of DLY pigs. The TPs showed higher (p < 0.05) mRNA and protein levels of AMPK and Nrf2 in the liver and heart compared with those of DLY pigs. Furthermore, TPs showed higher (p < 0.05) mRNA and protein levels of p38 MAPK in the heart and higher mRNA levels of p38 MAPK in the liver compared with those of DLY pigs under a plateau environment. In summary, TPs possess a stronger antioxidant capacity in the heart and liver than that of DLY pigs in a plateau environment through AMPK/p38 MAPK/Nrf2-ARE signaling pathways.

Oxidative Stress and Diseases Associated with High-Altitude Exposure

Several diseases associated with high-altitude exposure affect unacclimated individuals. These diseases include acute mountain sickness (AMS), high-altitude cerebral edema (HACE), high-altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE), chronic mountain sickness (CMS), and, notably, high-altitude pulmonary hypertension (HAPH), which can eventually lead to right ventricle hypertrophy and heart failure. The development of these pathologies involves different molecules and molecular pathways that might be related to oxidative stress. Studies have shown that acute, intermittent, and chronic exposure to hypobaric hypoxia induce oxidative stress, causing alterations to molecular pathways and cellular components (lipids, proteins, and DNA). Therefore, the aim of this review is to discuss the oxidative molecules and pathways involved in the development of high-altitude diseases. In summary, all high-altitude pathologies are related to oxidative stress, as indicated by increases in the malondialdehyde (MDA) biomarker and decreases in superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) antioxidant activity. In addition, in CMS, the levels of 8-iso-PGF2α and H₂O₂ are increased, and evidence strongly indicates an increase in Nox4 activity in HAPH. Therefore, antioxidant treatments seem to be a promising approach to mitigating high-altitude pathologies.

Identification of miRNA and Their Regulatory Effects Induced by Total Flavonoids From Dracocephalum moldavica in the Treatment of Vascular Dementia

Vascular dementia (VaD) is a general term used to describe difficulties in memory, reasoning, judgment, and planning caused by a reduced blood flow to the brain and consequent brain damage, in which microRNAs (miRNAs) are involved. Dracocephalum moldavica L. (D. moldavica) is traditionally used in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases as well as VaD, but the biomolecular mechanisms underlying its therapeutic effect are obscure. In the present study, the molecular mechanisms involved in the treatment of VaD by the total flavonoids from Dracocephalum moldavica L. (TFDM) were explored by the identification of miRNA profiling using bioinformatics analysis and experimental verification. A total of 2,562 differentially expressed miRNAs (DEMs) and 3,522 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were obtained from the GSE120584 and GSE122063 datasets, in which the gene functional enrichment and protein-protein interaction network of 93 core targets, originated from the intersection of the top DEM target genes and DEGs, were established for VaD gene profiling. One hundred and eighty-five targets interacting with 42 flavonoids in the TFDM were included in a compound-target network, subsequently found that they overlapped with potential targets for VaD. These 43 targets could be considered in the treatment of VaD by TFDM, and included CaMKII, MAPK, MAPT, PI3K, and KDR, closely associated with the vascular protective effect of TFDM, as well as anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic properties. The subsequent analysis of the compound-target gene-miRNA network indicated that eight miRNAs that mediated 43 targets had a close interaction with TFDM, suggesting that the neuroprotective effects were principally due to kaempferol, apigenin, luteolin, and quercetin, which were mostly associated with the miR-3184-3p/ESR1, miR-6762-3p/CDK1, miR-6777-3p/ESRRA, and other related axes. Furthermore, the in vitro oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD) model demonstrated that the dysregulation of miR-3184-3p and miR-6875-5p found by qRT-PCR was consistent with the changes in the bioinformatics analysis. TFDM and its active compounds involving tilianin, luteolin, and apigenin showed significant effects on the upregulation of miR-3184-3p and downregulation of miR-6875-5p in OGD-injured cells, in line with the improved cell viability. In conclusion, our findings revealed the underlying miRNA-target gene network and potential targets of TFDM in the treatment of VaD.

iTRAQ-based quantitative proteomic analysis of the improved effects of total flavones of Dracocephalum Moldavica L. in chronic mountain sickness

To use isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantification (iTRAQ) technology to study the pathogenesis of chronic mountain sickness (CMS), identify biomarkers for CMS, and investigate the effect of total flavones of Dracocephalum moldavica L. (TFDM) on a rat model of CMS. We simulated high altitude hypobaric hypoxia conditions and generated a rat model of CMS. Following the administration of TFDM, we measured the pulmonary artery pressure and serum levels of hemoglobin (Hb), the hematocrit (Hct), and observed the structure of the pulmonary artery in experimental rats. Furthermore, we applied iTRAQ-labeled quantitative proteomics technology to identify differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) in the serum, performed bioinformatics analysis, and verified the DEPs by immunohistochemistry. Analysis showed that the pulmonary artery pressure, serum levels of Hb, and the Hct, were significantly increased in a rat model of CMS (P < 0.05). Pathological analysis of lung tissue and pulmonary artery tissue showed that the alveolar compartment had obvious hyperplasia and the pulmonary artery degree of muscularization was enhanced. Both pulmonary artery pressure and tissue morphology were improved following the administration of TFDM. We identified 532 DEPs by quantitative proteomics; gene ontology (GO)and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis further revealed that metabolic pathways associated with coagulation and complement play crucial roles in the occurrence of CMS. Immunohistochemistry verified that several DEPs (α-1-acid glycoprotein, collagen, fibulin, haptoglobin, PLTP, and TAGLN2) are important biological markers for CMS. Our analyses demonstrated that TFDM can improve CMS and exert action by influencing the metabolic pathways associated with coagulation and complement. This process relieves pulmonary artery pressure and improves lung function. We also identified that α-1-acid glycoprotein, collagen, fibulin, haptoglobin, PLTP, and TAGLN2 may represent potential biomarkers for CMS.

Dracocephalum palmatum Stephan extract induces apoptosis in human prostate cancer cells via the caspase-8-mediated extrinsic pathway

Dracocephalum palmatum Stephan is a medicinal plant traditionally used by nomadic people in Eastern Russia; however, research on this plant is currently limited. Recently, although studies have been conducted on the constituents of this plant and their antioxidant effects, data on its various pharmacological activities are still lacking. Thus, this study examined the anticancer potential of the dried leaves of D. palmatum S. (DpL) using human prostate cancer PC-3 cells. The antioxidant potential of DpL was evaluated by estimating the total flavonoid and total phenolic content (TFC and TPC, respectively). Additionally, we investigated the effects of the DpL ethyl acetate fraction (DpLE) on cell proliferation, intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, apoptosis, and cell cycle arrest in this cell line. The expression levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD)-1, SOD-2, B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) and Bcl-2 associated X (Bax) ratio, phospho-protein kinase B (p-AKT), cleaved caspase-8, poly adenosine diphosphate (ADP) ribose polymerase (PARP), and cleaved-PARP were evaluated by western blotting. The results indicated that DpLE causes apoptosis and exerts intracellular ROS-independent anticancer effects on prostate cancer cells, associated with increased SOD-2, cleaved caspase-8, and cleaved-PARP expression and inhibited p-AKT signaling. Thus, DpLE may be a potential resource for the development of promising chemotherapeutic agents for prostate cancer.

Improvement of Total Flavonoids from Dracocephalum moldavica L. in Rats with Chronic Mountain Sickness through 1H-NMR Metabonomics

Background

We analyzed the effects of total flavonoids from Dracocephalum moldavica L. (D. moldavica L.) on improving chronic mountain sickness (CMS) in rats using the NMR hydrogen spectrum (¹H-NMR) metabonomics technology.

Method

We extracted the total flavonoids of D. moldavica L with 60% ethanol reflux. A CMS model was established with 48 Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats, which were then randomly divided into six groups (n = 8): control group (normal saline, 0.4 mL/100 g/d, ig); model group (normal saline, 0.4 mL/100 g/d, ig); nifedipine group (nifedipine tablets, 2.7 mg/kg/d, ig); and high-, middle-, and low-dose groups of total flavonoids from D. moldavica L. (DML.H, DML.M, and DML.L, receiving total flavonoids from D. moldavica L. at 400, 200, and 100 mg/kg/d, ig, respectively). The sera of the rats in all the groups were determined, and NMR hydrogen spectrum metabolomics was analyzed. The serum contents of apolipoproteins A1 (Apo-A1) and E (Apo-E) were determined, and histopathological changes in the brain tissue of each group were observed.

Results

Serum tests showed that total flavonoids from D. moldavica L. significantly increased the Apo-A1 and Apo-E levels in rats with CMS (P < 0.05). The results of serum metabonomics showed that total flavonoids from D. moldavica L can alleviate amino acid, energy, and lipid metabolism disorders in rats with CMS. Pathohistological examination of brain tissue showed that these flavonoids improved pathological changes, such as meningeal vasodilation, hyperemia, edema of brain parenchyma, inflammatory cell infiltration, increase in perivascular space, and increase in pyramidal cells.

Conclusion

Total flavonoids from D. moldavica L. have potential therapeutic effects on CMS. The possible mechanism is the reduction of oxidative damage through the alleviation of metabolism disorder.

Biomedical Implications of Plant-Based Principles as Antidepressants: Prospects for Novel Drug Development

BACKGROUND

Depression is a most common mental disorder. The symptoms of depression include loss of energy, changes in appetite, more or less sleep, anxiety, low concentration, uncertainty, restlessness, feelings of worthlessness, guilt, or despair, and thoughts of self-harm or suicide. In order to provide safe, efficient and cost-effective medication, the plants based principles in isolation or in combination with traditional antidepressants are attracting increasing attention for depression therapy.

METHOD

The information regarding the present review and its contents such as collected from published literature materials in different international journals. We have used different search engines such as PubMed, Medline, ResearchGate Google Semantic Scholar and ScienceDirect. For this purpose, the data obtained were properly organized and suitably analyzed to include in this article.

RESULTS

Most of the phytomolecules isolated from the medicinal plants display antidepressant effect through the synaptic regulation of levels of neurotransmitters such as dopamine, serotonin, and noradrenaline in different parts of the brain. The mechanism of action of phytomolecules also involves negative regulation of the activities of monoamine oxidase (MAO) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and prevention of hyperactivity of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. In addition, the strong antioxidative and antiinflamatory potential of these phytochemicals offer synergy to their antidepressant as well as antipsychosomatic functions.

CONCLUSION

The application of phytochemicals has proved it to be a safe, cost effective and efficient therapeutic agent to treat the patients suffering from mild to severe state of depression and other psychiatric disorders. The potential phytochemicals may be further optimized using in silico tools to develop better antidepressants and antisychotic agents in future.

Dracomolphin A-E, new lignans from Dracocephalum moldavica

Eight new lignans, dracomolphin A-E (1-8), together with eight known lignans (9-16) were isolated from the aerial part of Dracocephalum moldavica. The structures of the isolated compounds were established based on NMR and HRESIMS data. Dracomolphin A (1-4) was elucidated as a lignan possessed a 5-membered ketal ring formed between C-8' and C-3, C-4. The two stereogenic centers rendered dracomolphin A as a mixture of two diastereomeric pairs of enantiomers (1-4). All of the four isomers were separated successfully by using chiral HPLC and their stereochemical features were determined by CD spectra. Bioactivity screening revealed that compounds 1-4, 6, 7, 12, 15 and 16 were potential Nrf2 transcriptional activators. Dracomolphin E (8) reduced cell viability of lung cancer NCI-H292 cells associated with apoptosis.

Process optimization of spray-dried Moldavian balm (Dracocephalum moldavica L.) extract powder

The present study was aimed to develop the powder from Moldavian balm extract using a spray dryer to preserve the valuable phytochemicals such as hydroxycinnamic acid and flavonoids. In order to produce optimum Moldavian balm spray-dried powder, response surface methodology was applied. The inlet air temperature (120-180°C), compressed airflow rate (5-10 L/min), and carriers' concentration (10%-30%) were kept as independent variables, while moisture content, drying performance, porosity, total phenol content, total flavonoid content, and antioxidant activity were selected as responses. The process was optimized with inlet air temperature of 140.36°C, compressed airflow rate of 9.13 L/min and carriers' concentration of 18%, resulting in powder with moisture content of 7.68%, drying performance of 62.52%, porosity of 76.4%, total phenol content of 6.295 mg GAE/g, total flavonoid content of 0.378 mg QUE/g, and antioxidant activity of 51.78%. The optimized process led to attain the powder having significantly better phytochemical properties compared with others.

Dracocephalum moldavica attenuates scopolamine-induced cognitive impairment through activation of hippocampal ERK-CREB signaling in mice

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Dracocephalum moldavica (Moldavian balm) has been traditionally used for the treatment of intellectual disabilities, migraines and cardiovascular problems in East Asia. Recent scientific studies have demonstrated the usefulness of this plant to treat neurodegenerative disorders, including Alzheimer's disease.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This study aimed to investigate the effects of the ethanolic extract of D. moldavica leaves (EEDM) on scopolamine-induced cognitive impairment in mice and the underlying mechanisms of action.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The behavioral effects of EEDM were examined using the step-through passive avoidance and Morris water maze tasks. To elucidate the underlying mechanism, we tested whether EEDM affects acetylcholinesterase activity and the expression of memory-related signaling molecules including extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB) in the hippocampus.

RESULTS

EEDM (25, 50 or 100 mg/kg) significantly ameliorated the scopolamine-induced step-through latency reduction in the passive avoidance task in mice. In the Morris water maze task, EEDM (50 mg/kg) significantly attenuated scopolamine-induced memory impairment. Furthermore, the administration of EEDM increased the phosphorylation levels of ERK and CREB in the hippocampus but did not alter acetylcholinesterase activity.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings suggest that EEDM significantly attenuates scopolamine-induced memory impairment in mice and may be a promising therapeutic agent for improving memory impairment.

Expression Profiles of Long Noncoding RNAs in Mice with High-Altitude Hypoxia-Induced Brain Injury Treated with Gymnadenia conopsea (L.) R. Br

BACKGROUND

The unique geographical environment at high altitudes may cause a series of diseases, such as acute altitude reaction, cerebral edema, and pulmonary edema. Gymnadenia conopsea (L.) R. Br. has been reported to have an effect on high-altitude hypoxia. However, the molecular mechanism, especially the expression of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), is not yet clear.

METHODS

The expression profiles of lncRNAs in high-altitude hypoxia-induced brain injury mice treated with Gymnadenia conopsea (L.) R. Br. by using a microarray method.

RESULTS

A total of 226 differentially expressed lncRNAs, 126 significantly dysregulated mRNAs and 23 differentially expressed circRNAs were detected (>2.0-fold, p<0.05). The expression of selected lncRNAs, mRNAs and circRNAs was validated by qRT-PCR. KEGG analysis showed that the mRNAs coexpressed with lncRNAs were involved in inflammation and hypoxia pathways, including the HIF-1, PI3K-Akt, and NF-kappa B signaling pathways. The lncRNA-TF network analysis results indicated that the lncRNAs were regulated mostly by HMGA2, SRY, GATA4, SOX5, and ZBTB16.

CONCLUSION

This study is the first to report the expression profiles of lncRNAs, mRNAs and circRNAs in mice with high-altitude hypoxia-induced brain injury treated with Gymnadenia conopsea (L.) R. Br. and may improve the understanding of the molecular mechanism of Gymnadenia conopsea (L.) R. Br. in treating high altitude hypoxia-induced brain injury.

Involvement of apoptosis in the protective effects of Dracocephalum moldavaica in cerebral ischemia reperfusion rat model

An extract of Dracocephalum moldevica (DML) was found to exert protective effects on cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury (CIRI); however, the mechanisms underlying the observed actions of this plant-derived mixture remain to be determined. Thus, the aim of this study was to examine the influence of DML on CIRI rat model induced by middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). The following parameters were measured: (1) viable neurons in the infarcted area using Nissl staining; and (2) immunohistochemistry and Western blot were employed to determine protein expression levels of p53, bcl-2 associated X protein (bax) and B-cell lymphoma-2 (bcl-2), three biomarkers of apoptosis. MCAO significantly decreased the number of viable cortical pyramidal neurons in the infarcted area, while treatment with DML extract significantly elevated the number of viable neurons. MCAO was found to significantly elevate in gene expression levels of p53 and protein expression levels bax accompanied by diminished protein expression levels of bcl-2. Prior administration of DML extract produced marked reduction in gene expression levels of p53 and protein expression levels bax but increased in protein expression levels of bcl-2. Data suggested apoptosis was initiated in MCAO and that DML was effective in treating CIRI via an anti-apoptotic action as evidenced by inhibition of gene expression levels of p53 and protein expression levels of bax with concomitant elevation in protein expression levels of bcl-2. Our findings suggest that extract of DML may prove beneficial in treatment of cerebrovascular disorders.

The protective mechanism underlying total flavones of Dracocephalum (TFD) effects on rat cerebral ischemia reperfusion injury

Previously, total flavones of Dracocephalum (TFD), derived from Dracocephalum, were found to exert protective effects in cerebral ischemia reperfusion injury (CIRI) in middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) rat model. However, the mechanisms underlying these observed effects of TFD on MCAO-induced rats still remain to be determined. Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine whether TFD alleviated MCAO through mechanisms involving anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic using MCAO rats. The following parameters were measured: (1) percentage (%) area of brain infarction; (2) serum levels of inflammatory cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) and (3) expression protein levels of caspase-3 and AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK). Results showed that MCAO significantly increased the % area of brain infarction, while TFD administration in these animals markedly reduced % area of brain infarction. A significant elevation on serum levels of TNF-α and IL-6 was noted with MCAO which was markedly reduced by TFD. In addition, MCAO produced a significant rise in protein expression levels of caspase-3 and AMPK. In contrast, TFD markedly lowered protein expression levels of caspase-3 and AMPK. Data suggest that the protective effects of TFD in MCAO model animals may involve inhibition of inflammatory mediator release associated with apoptosis through down regulation of AMPK signaling pathway.

The protective mechanism underlying total flavones of Dracocephalum (TFD) effects on rat cerebral ischemia reperfusion injury

Previously, total flavones of Dracocephalum (TFD), derived from Dracocephalum, were found to exert protective effects in cerebral ischemia reperfusion injury (CIRI) in middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) rat model. However, the mechanisms underlying these observed effects of TFD on MCAO-induced rats still remain to be determined. Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine whether TFD alleviated MCAO through mechanisms involving anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic using MCAO rats. The following parameters were measured: (1) percentage (%) area of brain infarction; (2) serum levels of inflammatory cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) and (3) expression protein levels of caspase-3 and AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK). Results showed that MCAO significantly increased the % area of brain infarction, while TFD administration in these animals markedly reduced % area of brain infarction. A significant elevation on serum levels of TNF-α and IL-6 was noted with MCAO which was markedly reduced by TFD. In addition, MCAO produced a significant rise in protein expression levels of caspase-3 and AMPK. In contrast, TFD markedly lowered protein expression levels of caspase-3 and AMPK. Data suggest that the protective effects of TFD in MCAO model animals may involve inhibition of inflammatory mediator release associated with apoptosis through down regulation of AMPK signaling pathway.

Cardioprotection of tilianin ameliorates myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury: Role of the apoptotic signaling pathway

Our previous research demonstrated that tilianin protects the myocardium in a myocardial ischemia reperfusion injury (MIRI) rat model and has prominent pharmacological potential as a cardiovascular drug. Our study aimed to investigate the molecular signaling implicated in the improvement of myocardial survival induced by tilianin, a flavonoid antioxidant. Tilianin (2.5, 5, and 10 mg/kg/d) or saline was orally administered to rats for 14 days. On the 15th day, ischemia was induced by ligating the left anterior descending artery for 45 min, followed by 4 h of reperfusion. The levels of MIRI-induced serum myocardial enzymes and cardiomyocyte apoptosis as well as infarct size were examined to assess the cardioprotective effects. Cardiac tissues were collected for western blot analyses to determine the protein expression of anti-apoptotic signaling molecules. In MIRI-treated rats, our results revealed that pre-administration of high dose-tilianin the reduced release of LDH, MDA, and CK-MB and increased the plasma SOD level, and significantly attenuated the infarct size. Western blot analysis showed that a remarkable rise in expression of Bcl-2 and XIAP, and decline in expression of Bax, Smac/Diablo, HtrA2/Omi, cleaved caspase-3, caspase-7 and caspase-9 was observed in the myocardium. The apoptosis index of cardiomyocytes further supports the cardioprotective effect of tilianin. Additionally, compared with the MIRI model group, pretreatment with high dose-tilianin group upregulated phosphorylated Akt and PI3K. In contrast, using the PI3K inhibitor LY294002 to block Akt activation effectively inhibited the protective effects of tilianin against MIRI. Tilianin pretreatment was beneficial for activating the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway and inhibiting myocardial apoptosis.

An ethnopharmacological study of aromatic Uyghur medicinal plants in Xinjiang, China

CONTEXT

An ethnobotanical survey was completed in a remote village and surrounding country of Xinjiang, where most Uyghur medicinal plants could be collected. This work clarifies and increases ethnobotanical data.

OBJECTIVES

We surveyed and organized aromatic medicinal plants that are commonly used in clinical settings to provide a significant reference for studying new medical activities.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In the survey, informants who have traditional knowledge on aromatic Uyghur medicinal plants were interviewed between March 2014 and September 2014. Aromatic medicinal plant species and pertinent information were collected. Some therapeutic methods and modes of preparation of traditional aromatic medicinal plants were found.

RESULTS

A total of 86 aromatic medicinal plant species belonging to 36 families were included in our study. We identified 34 plant species introduced from different regions such as Europe, India and Mediterranean areas. Fruits and whole plants were the most commonly used parts of plant, and most aromatic medicinal plants could be applied as medicine and food. We assigned the medicinal plants a use value (UV). Knowing the UV of species is useful in determining the use reliability and pharmacological features of related plants.

CONCLUSIONS

Xinjiang is an area in which indigenous aromatic medicinal plants are diversely used and has therefore established a sound dimensional medical healthcare treatment system. Some aromatic Uyghur medicinal plants are on the verge of extinction. Hence, further strategies for the conservation of these aromatic medicinal plants should be prioritized.

The inhibitory effects of Dracocephalum moldavica L. (DML) on rat cerebral ischemia reperfusion injury

Ischemia reperfusion injury (IRI) is closely associated with oxidative stress and inflammatory responses. Dracocephalum moldavica L. (DML), a Chinese herbal medicine is known to exert protective effects on myocardial ischemia reperfusion injury in rats by inhibiting oxidation damage and inflammatory reactions. However, the effectiveness of DML in cerebral ischemia reperfusion injury (CIRI) as a protective substance and the underlying mechanisms remain to be determined. The aim of this study was thus to examine the influence of DML on CIRI using a rat model induced by 2-h transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) produced by intraluminal suture blockade followed by 22 h reperfusion. The parameters determined include neurological behavior, histochemical assessment of cerebral infarct volume, and determination of various metabolic biomarkers. Data showed that DML markedly improved neurobehavioral scores and reduced cerebral edema and infarction. In addition, DML significantly reduced malondialdehyde (MDA) content and elevated activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), in addition, marked decrease in levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-8 (IL-8), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). Data suggest that the protective effects of DML on CIRI may be related to processes involving antioxidation and anti-inflammation.

Improved Oral Bioavailability of Total Flavonoids of Dracocephalum moldavica via Composite Phospholipid Liposomes: Preparation, in-vitro Drug Release and Pharmacokinetics in Rats

Background:

Dracocephalum moldavica L is a traditional Uygur medicine for centuries, total flavonoids extracted from Dracocephalum moldavica are the major active ingredients of herbs, which possesses significant medicinal values to treat coronart disease and hypertension, due to the glycosyl group on the ring, total flavonoids of Dracocephalum moldavica has low hydrophilic and poorly absorbed after oral administration, so one way is the formulation of poorly water soluble and permeabledrugs with lipids containing formulations such as Composite phospholipid liposomes to improve the absorption profile of drug.

Objectives:

To prepare composite phospholipid liposome (CPL) encapsulatetotal flavonoids extract from Dracocephalum moldavica (TFDM), determine its physicochemical properties, investigate its in-vitro release and evaluate the pharmacokinetics in Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats to increase the bioavailability of TFDM-CPL.

Material and Methods:

The TFDMCPL was prepared by the method of ammonium sulfate transmembrane gradients. The CPL and TFDM were separated by Sephadex-G50 chromatography. The concentration of TFDM in the CPL was detected by HPLC, then the entrapment efficiency (EE) was evaluated. And the shape, particle size, zeta potential, drug release in vitro of TFDMCPL were investigated, and the pharmacokinetics was evaluated by rat jugular vein intubation tube in SD rats.

Results:

The EE of TFDM was 84.17±2.2%, mean size of TFDMCPL was 136.2±3.7nm, polymey disperse index (PDI) was 0.158±0.015 and zeta potential was -19.8±1.2mV. TFDM-CPLwere found to enhance the release of drugs more effectively than TFDM based on the in vitro model and Following oral administration of TFDM, the plasma exposures of TFDM-CPL was significantly extended, and the mean concentration of TFDM-CPL was significantly higher compared to TFDM-solution. TheC_max, t_1/2, AUC_{0-12 h} values of TFDM for group of TFDM-CPL were siginificantly increased.

Conclusion:

The method of ammonium sulfate transmembrane gradients is suitable for preparingTFDM-CPL. And TFDM-CPL have potential to be used to improve the bioavailability of poorly soluble drugs after oral administration.

SUMMARY

For the first time, composite phospholipid liposomes (CPL) containing total flavonoids of Dracocephalum moldavica (TFDM) were developed by method of ammonium sulfate transmembrane gradients.

The TFDM-CPL was a significant improvement in bioavailability compared to the TFDM-solution, with a 10-fold increase in relative bioavailability in vivo.

The TFDM-CPL was still stable during storage at 4oC for 6 months.

Abbreviations Used: CPL: composite phospholipid liposome.; TFDM: Total Flavonoids Extract from Dracocephalum moldavica; SD:Sprague-Dawley; EE:entrapment efficiency; PDI: polymey disperse index; TFDM-CPL: Total flavonoid extract from Dracocephalum moldavica – composite phospholipid liposome; DM: Dracocephalum moldavica L.; SPC: Soybean phospholipid; HSPC: Hydrogenated soya phosphatide; PBS: phosphate buffered saline; HPLC: high performance liquid chromatography; TEM: transmission electron microscopy; CMC-Na: Carboxy Methyl Cellulose-Natrium; AUC: area under the curve

Preparative Capillary GC for Characterization of Five Dracocephalum Essential Oils from Mongolia, and their Mosquito Larvicidal Activity

The chemical composition and mosquito larvicidal and adulticidal activity of five essential oils (EOs), Dracocephalum ruyschiana L. (DR), D. foetidum Bunge (DF), D. moldavica L. (DM), D. fruticulosum Steph. ex Willd. (DFr) and D. peregrinum L. (DP) were evaluated. Simultaneous GC-FID and GC-MS analyses revealed in the EOs of DR, DF and DM an unidentified compound (1) ([M+122], 5.4%, 57.9% and 74.0%, respectively). Therefore, we aimed to isolate compound 1 using Preparative Capillary GC (PCGC) connected to a Preparative Fraction Collector (PFC) system. Structure determination of 1 was determined by 1H- and 13C-NMR as p-mentha-1,8-dien-10-al (1, limonen-10-al). Other detected major constituents were thymol (34.0%) and carvacrol (6.1%) in DR; limonene (28.8%) in DF; cis-chrysanthenol acetate (29.1%) and trans-verbenol (5.0%) in DFr; and linalool (17.9%), trans-β-bergamotene (7.9%), (E)-nerolidol (7.7%) and eugenol (5.5%) in DP. The DFr, DP, DR and DM EOs produced 100% mortality to 1st instar larvae of Aedes aegypti L. at 250 ppm and DR and DM EO exhibited the strongest activity and killed 100% 1st instar larvae at 62.5 ppm. No adulticidal activity was observed against female Ae. aegypti. In the scope of the present study, for the first time isolation of limonen-10-al (1) from DR, DM, and DP EOs and larvicidal activity of five Dracocephalum EOs were reported.

Optimization of the process variables of tilianin-loaded composite phospholipid liposomes based on response surface-central composite design and pharmacokinetic study

Tilianin is attracting considerable attention because of its antihypertensive, anti-atherogenic and anticonvulsive efficacy. However, tilianin has poor oral bioavailability. Thus, to improve the oral bioavailability of tilianin, composite phospholipid liposomes were adopted in this work as a novel nanoformulation. The aim was to develop and formulate tilianin composite phospholipid liposomes (TCPLs) through ethanol injection and to apply the response surface-central composite design to optimize the tilianin composite phospholipid liposome formulation. The independent variables were the amount of phospholipids (X1), amount of cholesterol (X2) and weight ratio of phospholipid to drug (X3); the depended variables were particle size (Y1) and encapsulation efficiency (EE) (Y2) of TCPLs. Results indicated that the optimum preparation conditions were as follows: phospholipid amount, 500 mg, cholesterol amount, 50mg and phospholipid/drug ratio, 25. These variables were also the major contributing variables for particle size (101.4 ± 6.1 nm), higher EE (90.28% ± 1.36%), zeta potential (-18.3 ± 2.6 mV) and PDI (0.122 ± 0.027). Subsequently, differential scanning calorimetry techniques were used to investigate the molecular interaction in TCPLs, and the in vitro drug release of tilianin and TCPLs was investigated by the second method of dissolution in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia (Edition 2015). Furthermore, pharmacokinetics in Sprague Dawley rats was evaluated using a rat jugular vein intubation tube. Results demonstrated that the Cmax of TCPLs became 5.7 times higher than that of tilianin solution and that the area under the curve of TCPLs became about 4.6-fold higher than that of tilianin solution. Overall, our results suggested that the prepared tilianin composite phospholipid liposome formulations could be used to improve the bioavailability of tilianin after oral administration.

Simultaneous Determination of Six Active Compounds in Yixin Badiranjibuya Granules, a Traditional Chinese Medicine, by RP-HPLC-UV Method

In this study, a sensitive, precise, and accurate HPLC-UV method was developed and validated to simultaneously determine the six analytes (luteolin-7-O-β-D-glucuronide, apigenin-7-O-β-D-glucuronide, diosmetin-7-O-β-D-glucuronide, acacetin-7-O-β-D-glucuronide, tilianin, and rosmarinic acid) in Yixin Badiranjibuya Granules, in which five analytes (i.e., luteolin-7-O-β-D-glucuronide, apigenin-7-O-β-D-glucuronide, diosmetin-7-O-β-D-glucuronide, acacetin-7-O-β-D-glucuronide, and rosmarinic acid) were determined for the first time in Yixin Badiranjibuya Granules, the content of tilianin in Yixin Badiranjibuya Granules was reported in other literatures, and the content of tilianin in our work was higher than that of the literature reports. The quality of 11 batch samples from four different manufacturers was evaluated using the proposed determination method. The contents of the six analytes were largely different among samples from various manufacturers. Therefore, this determination method can provide a scientific basis for quality evaluation and control of Yixin Badiranjibuya Granules.