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Zhang Y, Yang R, Wang L, Li Y, Han J, Yang Y, Zheng H, Lu M, Shen Y, Yang H. Purification and characterization of a novel thermostable anticoagulant protein from medicinal leech Whitmania pigra Whitman. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2022; 288:114990. [PMID: 35032585 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2022.114990] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2021] [Revised: 12/27/2021] [Accepted: 01/09/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE The prevalence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) is increasing worldwide. Despite significant improvements in novel targeted treatment agents, natural products purified from medicinal animals with minimal side effects have attracted much attention. Several native proteins explored from suck-blood leeches, such as non-thermostable hirudin and its variants, revealed potent anticoagulant activity. Traditional Chinese medicine clinics have proved that non-suck-blood leech Whitmania pigra Whitman (W. pigra) also played notable roles in CVD treatments even after decoction. However, only a few natural proteins and peptides have been identified from the fresh material of this medicinal species. AIM OF THE STUDY We aimed to purify and characterize thermostable anticoagulant proteins from W. pigra for further development of a therapeutic agent for thrombosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS W. pigra crude extract was prepared by decoction in water. Anticoagulant proteins were purified by DEAE cellulose DE-52, Sephadex G-75, and reversed-phase liquid chromatography sequentially and analyzed by SDS-PAGE and LC-MS/MS for structural information. In addition, we conducted in vitro anticoagulant experiments, including plasma recalcification time (PRT) assay, fibrinolytic assay, activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), prothrombin time (PT), thrombin time (TT), fibrinogen (Fib) assay, and cell viability assays. Furthermore, a carrageenan-induced chronic thromboembolism model was employed in ICR mice, and four coagulation factors (APTT, PT, TT, and Fib) activities were determined after intragastric administration. RESULTS The anticoagulant protein WP-77 has a relative molecular weight of ca. 20.8 kDa. It was effective over a broad temperature range from 20 °C to 100 °C and a pH 2-8 condition. The anticoagulant activity of WP-77 was retained after incubation with pepsin but was greatly inhibited by trypsin (P < 0.01). It significantly prolonged APTT and TT (P < 0.05) but had little effect on PT and Fib in vitro. Furthermore, WP-77 of a low concentration resulted in the recovery of injured EA.hy926 by thrombin. The protein also significantly prolonged APTT and TT (P < 0.01) and inhibited thrombus formation in carrageenan-induced thrombosis mice, demonstrating its antithrombotic effect in vivo. CONCLUSION Our results suggest that WP-77 from W. pigra plays a distinct role in treating thrombotic diseases, and it is an essential substance of anticoagulant activity of non-suck-blood medicinal leeches. This thermostable anticoagulant protein could be a promising candidate for the development of clinical antithrombosis medicines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yajie Zhang
- Department of Chinese Materia Medica and Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, 212013, PR China.
| | - Rong Yang
- Department of Chinese Materia Medica and Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, 212013, PR China.
| | - Liwei Wang
- Department of Chinese Materia Medica and Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, 212013, PR China.
| | - Ye Li
- Department of Chinese Materia Medica and Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, 212013, PR China.
| | - Jing Han
- Department of Chinese Materia Medica and Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, 212013, PR China.
| | - Yaya Yang
- Department of Chinese Materia Medica and Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, 212013, PR China.
| | - Hanxue Zheng
- Department of Chinese Materia Medica and Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, 212013, PR China.
| | - Mengyao Lu
- Department of Chinese Materia Medica and Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, 212013, PR China.
| | - Yuping Shen
- Department of Chinese Materia Medica and Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, 212013, PR China.
| | - Huan Yang
- Department of Chinese Materia Medica and Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, 212013, PR China.
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Zhang Y, Li J, Yang S, Xu C, Gblinwon RT, Hu J, Sun X, Xia G, Yang H, Shen Y. A species-specific triplex PCR assay for authentication of Galli Gigerii Endothelium Corneum. Mitochondrial DNA B Resour 2021; 6:1044-1049. [PMID: 33796733 PMCID: PMC7995851 DOI: 10.1080/23802359.2021.1899075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2020] [Accepted: 02/25/2021] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
A triplex PCR assay was developed to identify animal species and adulteration of a natural medicine Galli Gigerii Endothelium Corneum (GGEC). Three species-specific primer sets were designed according to the difference in mitochondrial genome of Gallus gallus domesticus, Anas platyrhynchos and Anser anse. The PCR conditions were optimized and the assay was well validated for high specificity and sensitivity (1 mg/μL). Especially, when artificial adulterants made from the mixture of three species were analyzed, the assay has still exhibited strong capability of differentiation. By using this developed method, two batches out of fourteen commercial GGEC products were identified to be adulterated by Anser anse. The newly proposed assay showed sufficient merits as a regular tool for the identification of counterfeits or adulterants of GGEC product for their pulverized and processed form, and even Chinese patent medicines composed of these species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuli Zhang
- School of Pharmacy, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China
| | - Juan Li
- School of Pharmacy, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China
| | - Shiqing Yang
- School of Pharmacy, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China
| | - Chao Xu
- School of Pharmacy, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China
| | | | - Jianhui Hu
- Department of Pharmacy, Zhenjiang Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Zhenjiang, China
| | - Xiaoxiang Sun
- Department of Pharmacy, Zhenjiang Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Zhenjiang, China
| | - Guohua Xia
- School of Pharmacy, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China
| | - Huan Yang
- School of Pharmacy, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China
| | - Yuping Shen
- School of Pharmacy, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China
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Nair HKR, Ahmad NW, Lee HL, Ahmad N, Othamn S, Mokhtar NSHM, Chong SSY. Hirudotherapy in Wound Healing. INT J LOW EXTR WOUND 2020; 21:425-431. [DOI: 10.1177/1534734620948299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Leeches are hermaphrodite, bloodsucking parasitic worms usually found in places with fresh water. Leech therapy existed 3000 years, and it is being used at a different scope. Several species of leeches have been used in medicine, and the most common species used is Hirudo medicinalis. Leeches suck the excess blood, reduce the swelling in the tissues, and promote healing by allowing fresh oxygenated blood to reach the area until normal circulation can be restored. Pain relief from leech therapy is rapid, effective, and long-lasting in many conditions. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and duration of healing utilizing sterile medicinal leeches, Hirudinaria manillensis, in the management of pain and wound healing. Leech was taken out from its sterile tube by using a pair of non-tooth sterile plastic forceps and gloved hands. Each leech was left in place for as long as it was feeding. Leeches were removed only after they became detached from the patient. The specimen jars containing the used leeches were sealed in either a biohazard bag or in a small yellow clinical waste bin liner securely fastened with a cable tie. The leech was killed by using 70% alcohol prior to disposal into a yellow hazard bin, which undergoes incineration. All 3 patients had improvements in their condition, especially in terms of reduction in the pain and improvement in their sense of balance. All the wounds healed well. Therefore, leech therapy is effective in reducing pain and increasing perfusion to allow the wounds to heal quickly. However, a more robust trial is needed to show significance as the sample size is small.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Han Lim Lee
- Institute for Medical Research, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Norazah Ahmad
- Institute for Medical Research, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Suhana Othamn
- Institute for Medical Research, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
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Chen Y, Yang Y, Qian Y, Gblinwon RT, Jiao Z, Chen L, Lin L, Zheng Y, Yang H, Shen Y. Harnessing multiplex PCR assay targeting specific mitochondrial DNA elements for simultaneous identification of antelope species in Cornu Saigae Tataricae. Mitochondrial DNA B Resour 2019; 4:3222-3226. [PMID: 33365929 PMCID: PMC7707849 DOI: 10.1080/23802359.2019.1666667] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
A multiplex PCR assay was developed to simultaneously differentiate four antelope species and identify adulteration in Cornu Saigae Tataricae. Four novel primer sets were designed with high inter-species specificity and intra-species stability. Limit of detection was estimated to be 10 ng of genomes. When a mixture of antelope hornand fake species was assayed, it exhibited powerful differentiation capability. 5 out of 12 batches of commercialproducts were identified to be counterfeited or adulterated with Ovis aries Linnaeus and/or Capra hircus Linnaeus. It is readily applicable in routine analysis for identification of sham or adulterants of Cornu Saigae Tataricae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yufei Chen
- School of Pharmacy, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yaya Yang
- School of Pharmacy, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yinhuan Qian
- Department of Pharmacy, Zhenjiang Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China
| | | | - Zhaoqun Jiao
- School of Pharmacy, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China
| | - Liqun Chen
- School of Pharmacy, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China
| | - Ling Lin
- School of Pharmacy, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yang Zheng
- School of Pharmacy, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China
| | - Huan Yang
- School of Pharmacy, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yuping Shen
- School of Pharmacy, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China
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