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Li N, Du X, Qu T, Ren H, Lu W, Cui X, Hu J, Chen Z, Tao H. Pharmacodynamic material basis and pharmacological mechanisms of Cortex Mori against diabetes mellitus. J Ethnopharmacol 2024; 324:117781. [PMID: 38253278 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2024.117781] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2023] [Revised: 01/05/2024] [Accepted: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE The application of Cortex Mori (CM) in the treatment of diabetes mellitus (DM) has been extensively documented in traditional medicine. In recent years, the chemical composition of CM has been gradually unraveled, and its therapeutic mechanism in treating DM, diabetic nephropathy, diabetic cardiomyopathy, and other related conditions has been highlighted in successive reports. However, there is no systematic study on the treatment of DM based on the chemical composition of CM. AIM OF THE STUDY This study was conducted to systematically explore the hypoglycemic activity mechanism of CM based on its chemical composition. METHODS The material basis of Cortex Mori extract (CME) was investigated through qualitative analyses based on liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). The possible acting mechanism was simulated using network pharmacology and validated in streptozotocin (STZ) + high fat diet (HFD)-induced diabetic rats and glucosamine-induced IR-HepG2 model with the assistance of molecular docking techniques. RESULTS A total of 39 compounds were identified in CME by the LC-MS-based qualitative analysis. In diabetic rats, it was demonstrated that CME significantly ameliorated insulin resistance, blood lipid levels, and liver injury. The network pharmacology analysis predicted five major targets, including AKT1, PI3K, FoxO1, Gsk-3β, and PPARγ. Additionally, three key compounds (resveratrol, protocatechuic acid, and kaempferol) were selected based on their predicted contributions. The experimental results revealed that CME, resveratrol, protocatechuic acid, and kaempferol could promote the expression of AKT1, PI3K, and PPARγ, while inhibiting the expression of FoxO1 and Gsk-3β. The molecular docking results indicated a strong binding affinity between resveratrol/kaempferol and their respective targets. CONCLUSIONS CME contains a substantial amount of prenylated flavonoids, which may be the focal point of research on the efficacy of CM in the treatment of DM. Besides, CME is effective in controlling blood glucose and insulin resistance, improving lipid levels, and mitigating liver injury in patients with DM. Relevant mechanisms may be associated with the activation of the PI3K/Akt pathway, the inhibition of the expression of FoxO1 and Gsk-3β, and the enhancement of PPARγ activity. This study represents the first report on the role of CME in the treatment of DM through regulating PPARγ, FoxO1, and Gsk-3β.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ning Li
- Shaanxi Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710003, China
| | - Xia Du
- Shaanxi Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710003, China
| | - Tong Qu
- Shaanxi Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710003, China
| | - Hui Ren
- Shaanxi Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710003, China
| | - Wenjing Lu
- Shaanxi Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710003, China
| | - Xiaomin Cui
- Shaanxi Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710003, China
| | - Jing Hu
- Shaanxi Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710003, China
| | - Zhiyong Chen
- Shaanxi Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710003, China.
| | - Hongxun Tao
- School of Food and Biological Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, 212013, China.
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Cui X, Huang Z, Deng S, Zhang Y, Li G, Wang L, Deng Y, Wu C. Benzofuran Derivatives from Cortex Mori Radicis and Their Cholinesterase-Inhibitory Activity. Molecules 2024; 29:315. [PMID: 38257228 PMCID: PMC10820097 DOI: 10.3390/molecules29020315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2023] [Revised: 12/26/2023] [Accepted: 01/05/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
The phytochemical investigation of Cortex Mori Radicis led to the isolation and identification of a new prenylated benzofuranone (1) and four ring-opening derivatives (2-5) named albaphenol A-E, as well as nigranol A (6), together with ten 2-arylbenzofuran derivatives (7-16). The characterization of the structures of the new compounds and the structural revision of nigranol A (6) were conducted using the comprehensive analysis of spectroscopic data (1D/2D NMR, HRESIMS, CD, and XRD). Compounds 1-16 were tested for their inhibitory effects on acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE). Compounds 1 and 4 showed weak BChE-inhibitory activity (IC50 45.5 and 61.0 μM); six 2-arylbenzofuran derivatives showed more-potent BChE-inhibitory activity (IC50 2.5-32.8 μM) than the positive control galantamine (IC50 35.3 μM), while being inactive or weakly inhibitory toward AChE. Cathafuran C (14) exhibited the most potent and selective inhibitory activity against BChE in a competitive manner, with a Ki value of 1.7 μM. The structure-activity relationships of the benzofuran-type stilbenes were discussed. Furthermore, molecular docking and dynamic simulations were performed to clarify the interactions of the inhibitor-enzyme complex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiang Cui
- College of Life Sciences and Agronomy, Zhoukou Normal University, Zhoukou 466001, China; (X.C.)
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin 301617, China
| | - Zehong Huang
- College of Life Sciences and Agronomy, Zhoukou Normal University, Zhoukou 466001, China; (X.C.)
| | - Shanshan Deng
- College of Life Sciences and Agronomy, Zhoukou Normal University, Zhoukou 466001, China; (X.C.)
| | - Yunxia Zhang
- College of Life Sciences and Agronomy, Zhoukou Normal University, Zhoukou 466001, China; (X.C.)
| | - Guoyin Li
- College of Life Sciences and Agronomy, Zhoukou Normal University, Zhoukou 466001, China; (X.C.)
| | - Lining Wang
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin 301617, China
| | - Yanru Deng
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin 301617, China
| | - Changjing Wu
- College of Life Sciences and Agronomy, Zhoukou Normal University, Zhoukou 466001, China; (X.C.)
- Field Observation and Research Station of Green Agriculture in Dancheng County, Zhoukou 466001, China
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Hu X, Zhang K, Pan G, Wang Y, Shen Y, Peng C, Deng L, Cui H. Cortex Mori extracts induce apoptosis and inhibit tumor invasion via blockage of the PI3K/AKT signaling in melanoma cells. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:1007279. [PMID: 36339598 PMCID: PMC9627489 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.1007279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2022] [Accepted: 10/05/2022] [Indexed: 08/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Melanoma, the most aggressive and deadliest form of skin cancer, has attracted increased attention due to its increasing incidence worldwide. The Cortex Mori (CM) has long been used as a classical traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) to treat various diseases, including cancer. The bioactive components and underlying mechanisms, however, remain largely unknown. The current study aims to investigate the anti-melanoma effects of CM and potential mechanisms through combined network pharmacology and bioinformatic analyses, and validated by in vitro and in vivo experiments. We report here that CM has anti-melanoma activity both in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, 25 bioactive compounds in CM were found to share 142 melanoma targets, and network pharmacology and enrichment analyses suggested that CM inhibits melanoma through multiple biological processes and signaling pathways, particularly the PI3K-AKT signaling inhibition and activation of apoptotic pathways, which were further confirmed by biochemical and histological examinations. Finally, partial CM-derived bioactive compounds were found to show anti-melanoma effects, validating the anti-melanoma potential of bioactive ingredients of CM. Taken together, these results reveal bioactive components and mechanisms of CM in inhibiting melanoma, providing them as potential anti-cancer natural products for the treatment of melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, College of Sericulture, Textile and Biomass Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Cancer Center, Medical Research Institute, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Engineering and Technology Research Center for Silk Biomaterials and Regenerative Medicine, Chongqing, China
- Southwest University Engineering Research Center for Cancer Biomedical and Translational Medicine, Chongqing, China
| | - Kui Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, College of Sericulture, Textile and Biomass Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Cancer Center, Medical Research Institute, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Engineering and Technology Research Center for Silk Biomaterials and Regenerative Medicine, Chongqing, China
- Southwest University Engineering Research Center for Cancer Biomedical and Translational Medicine, Chongqing, China
| | - Guangzhao Pan
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, College of Sericulture, Textile and Biomass Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Cancer Center, Medical Research Institute, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Engineering and Technology Research Center for Silk Biomaterials and Regenerative Medicine, Chongqing, China
- Southwest University Engineering Research Center for Cancer Biomedical and Translational Medicine, Chongqing, China
| | - Yinggang Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, College of Sericulture, Textile and Biomass Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Cancer Center, Medical Research Institute, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Engineering and Technology Research Center for Silk Biomaterials and Regenerative Medicine, Chongqing, China
- Southwest University Engineering Research Center for Cancer Biomedical and Translational Medicine, Chongqing, China
| | - Yue Shen
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, College of Sericulture, Textile and Biomass Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Cancer Center, Medical Research Institute, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Engineering and Technology Research Center for Silk Biomaterials and Regenerative Medicine, Chongqing, China
- Southwest University Engineering Research Center for Cancer Biomedical and Translational Medicine, Chongqing, China
| | - Cheng Peng
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, College of Sericulture, Textile and Biomass Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Cancer Center, Medical Research Institute, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Engineering and Technology Research Center for Silk Biomaterials and Regenerative Medicine, Chongqing, China
- Southwest University Engineering Research Center for Cancer Biomedical and Translational Medicine, Chongqing, China
| | - Longfei Deng
- Cancer Center, Medical Research Institute, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Hongjuan Cui
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, College of Sericulture, Textile and Biomass Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Cancer Center, Medical Research Institute, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Engineering and Technology Research Center for Silk Biomaterials and Regenerative Medicine, Chongqing, China
- Southwest University Engineering Research Center for Cancer Biomedical and Translational Medicine, Chongqing, China
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Liang Y, Zeng X, Guo J, Liu H, He B, Lai R, Zhu Q, Zheng Z. Scopoletin and umbelliferone from Cortex Mori as protective agents in high glucose-induced mesangial cell as in vitro model of diabetic glomerulosclerosis. CHINESE J PHYSIOL 2021; 64:150-158. [PMID: 34169921 DOI: 10.4103/cjp.cjp_9_21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Two known coumarins, scopoletin (SP) and umbelliferone (UB), were isolated from Cortex Mori (CM). Their structures were elucidated by various spectroscopic analyses. Then, their effects on rat glomerular mesangial cells (RGMCs, HBZY-1) proliferation, hypertrophy, extracellular matrix (ECM) proliferation, expression of fibronectin, transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β), and connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) induced by high glucose were studied in vitro model of diabetic glomerulosclerosis. The results show that, CM, SP, and UB can inhibit the RGMCs proliferation to attenuate the ECM proliferation and cell hypertrophy, reduced the accumulation of ECM protein fibronectin, and lowered the expression of the key fibrosis factor TGF-β and CTGF to inhibit the kidney fibrosis and thereby improved diabetic glomerulosclerosis. The two coumarins show great potentialities on treating diabetic glomerulosclerosis, but the animal experiment and mechanism is strongly needed for further proof.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yijun Liang
- School of Medicine, Foshan University, Foshan, China
| | - Xuxin Zeng
- School of Medicine, Foshan University, Foshan, China
| | - Jialiang Guo
- School of Medicine, Foshan University, Foshan, China
| | - Hui Liu
- School of Medicine, Foshan University, Foshan, China
| | - Bao He
- The R and D Center of Drug for Renal Diseases, Consun Pharmaceutical Group, Guangzhou, China
| | - Renyu Lai
- Foshan Newtopcome Pharmaceutical Technology Co., Ltd., Foshan, China
| | - Quan Zhu
- The R and D Center of Drug for Renal Diseases, Consun Pharmaceutical Group, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhaoguang Zheng
- School of Medicine, Foshan University; Foshan Newtopcome Pharmaceutical Technology Co., Ltd., Foshan, China
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Wei J, Chen JR, Pais EMA, Wang TY, Miao L, Li L, Li LY, Qiu F, Hu LM, Gao XM, Fan GW. Oxyresveratrol Is a Phytoestrogen Exerting Anti-inflammatory Effects Through NF-κB and Estrogen Receptor Signaling. Inflammation 2017; 40:1285-96. [PMID: 28484893 DOI: 10.1007/s10753-017-0572-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Recent studies suggest an anti-inflammatory activity of oxyresveratrol, a stilbene extracted from Cortex mori root used in traditional Chinese medicine that also presents estrogen-like activity. We herein tested the hypothesis that oxyreservatrol exerts an anti-inflammatory effect through its estrogenic-like function. In MCF-7 cells, oxyresveratrol significantly induced proliferation, which was accompanied with estrogen receptor (ER)-mediated transcriptional activation, increased estrogen-targeted gene expression (e.g., pS2, PGR, and CTSD), and increased ERα/β proteins. The estrogen-like effect of oxyresveratrol was reversed by the ER inhibitor ICI 182780. Strong ER-binding activities of oxyresveratrol were revealed by negative docking scores. The LPS-induced inflammatory response (e.g., upregulated IκB-α phosphorylation, NF-κB nuclear translocation, and cytokine messenger RNA expression) was significantly suppressed in an ER-dependent manner by oxyresveratrol in RAW264.7 cells. These results suggest that oxyresveratrol may function as an ER agonist and modulate NF-κB signaling.
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Xiao BX, Wang Q, Fan LQ, Kong LT, Guo SR, Chang Q. Pharmacokinetic mechanism of enhancement by Radix Pueraria flavonoids on the hyperglycemic effects of Cortex Mori extract in rats. J Ethnopharmacol 2014; 151:846-851. [PMID: 24333478 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2013.11.038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2013] [Revised: 10/12/2013] [Accepted: 11/21/2013] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Diabetes mellitus, characterized by abnormal blood glucose evaluation, is a serious chronic disease. In the treatment of the disease, α-glycosidase inhibitors play an important role for controlling the postprandial blood glucose level. Cortex Mori, a traditional Chinese herbal medicine, has a long history of use for the treatment of headaches, cough, edema and diabetes. Modern pharmacological studies have shown that the herb has beneficial effects on the suppression of postprandial blood glucose levels by inhibiting α-glycosidase activity in the small intestine. 1-Deoxynojirimycin (DNJ), the main active ingredient of this herb, is recognized as a potent α-glycosidase inhibitor. Our previous studies have shown that the hypoglycemic effect of Cortex Mori extract (CME) was significantly improved when giving CME in combination with Radix Pueraria flavonoids (RPF). In the present study, the pharmacokinetics and intestinal permeability of DNJ were comparatively investigated in rats after being given orally or by intestinal perfusion with CME alone or in CME-RPF pairs, to explore the mechanism of this synergistic effect. MATERIALS AND METHODS The role of RPF on the plasma and urine concentrations of DNJ from CME orally administered was investigated. Four groups of rats received a single oral dose of either CME or CME-RPF, at DNJ equivalent doses of 20 and 40mg/kg, respectively. After dosing, plasma and urine were collected and assayed by LC/MS/MS. In addition, another two groups of rats were used for small intestinal perfusion with CME or CME-RPF at DNJ concentration of 10µM. RESULTS Compared to the data when dosing with CME alone, the Cmax of DNJ were decreased from 5.78 to 2.94µg/ml (p<0.05) and 10.66 to 5.35µg/ml (p<0.01); Tmax were delayed from 0.40 to 0.55h and 0.35 to 0.50h (p<0.05); and MRT were significantly prolonged from 1.14 to 1.72h (p<0.05) and 0.95 to 1.62h (p<0.01), after dosing with CME-RPF at DNJ doses of 20 and 40mg/kg, respectively. In addition, the urinary recovery of DNJ over the first 4h after dosing significantly decreased from 48.76% to 33.86%. Effective permeability (Peff) of DNJ was decreased from 7.53×10(-3) to 3.09×10(-3)cm/s (p<0.05) when RPF was added to CME, when it was evaluated using the rat intestinal perfusion model. CONCLUSIONS All the above results demonstrate that RPF was able to suspend and delay the absorption of DNJ, but did not affect the total amount of DNJ in the body. The resulting higher concentration of DNJ in the small intestine produced a relatively stronger effect of depressing the elevation of the postprandial blood glucose level. These findings support the important role of RPF in the application of CME on blood glucose control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bing-Xin Xiao
- Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100193, PR China
| | - Qian Wang
- Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100193, PR China
| | - Li-Qing Fan
- Beijing Peking University, WBL Biotech Co. Ltd., Beijing 100080, PR China
| | - Ling-Ti Kong
- Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100193, PR China
| | - Shu-Ren Guo
- Beijing Peking University, WBL Biotech Co. Ltd., Beijing 100080, PR China
| | - Qi Chang
- Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100193, PR China.
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