Bioactive triterpenoid compounds of Poria cocos (Schw.) Wolf in the treatment of diabetic ulcers via regulating the PI3K-AKT signaling pathway

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Diabetic ulcers represent a chronic condition characterized by prolonged hyperglycemia and delayed wound healing, accompanied by endocrine disorders, inflammatory responses, and microvascular damage in the epidermal tissue, demanding effective clinical treatment approaches. For thousands of years, ancient Chinese ethnopharmacological studies have documented the use of Poria cocos (Schw.) Wolf in treating diabetic ulcers. Recent research has substantiated the diverse pharmacological effects of Poria cocos (Schw.) Wolf, including its potential to alleviate hyperglycemia and exhibit anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immune regulatory properties, which could effectively mitigate diabetic ulcer symptoms. Furthermore, being a natural medicine, Poria cocos (Schw.) Wolf has demonstrated promising therapeutic effects and safety in the management of diabetic ulcers, holding significant clinical value. Despite its potential clinical efficacy and applications in diabetic ulcer treatment, the primary active components and underlying pharmacological mechanisms of Poria cocos (Schw.) Wolf remains unclear. Further investigations are imperative to establish a solid foundation for drug development in this domain.

AIM OF THE STUDY AND MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this study, we aimed to identify the active compounds and potential targets of Poria cocos (Schw.) Wolf using UHPLC-Q-TOF-MS and TCMSP databases. Additionally, we attempt to identify targets related to diabetic ulcers. Following enrichment analysis, a network of protein-protein interactions was constructed to identify hub genes based on the common elements between the two datasets. To gain insights into the binding activities of the hub genes and active ingredients, molecular docking analysis was employed. Furthermore, to further validate the therapeutic effect of Poria cocos (Schw.) Wolf, we exerted in vitro experiments using human umbilical vein vascular endothelial cells and human myeloid leukemia monocytes (THP-1). The active ingredient of Poria cocos (Schw.) Wolf was applied in these experiments. Our investigations included various assays, such as CCK-8, scratch test, immunofluorescence, western blotting, RT-PCR, and flow cytometry, to explore the potential of Poria cocos (Schw.) Wolf triterpenoid extract (PTE) in treating diabetic ulcers.

RESULTS

The findings here highlighted PTE as the primary active ingredient in Poria cocos (Schw.) Wolf. Utilizing network pharmacology, we identified 74 potential targets associated with diabetic ulcer treatment for Poria cocos (Schw.) Wolf, with five hub genes (JUN, MAPK1, STAT3, AKT1, and CTNNB1). Enrichment analysis revealed the involvement of multiple pathways in the therapeutic process, with the PI3K-AKT signaling pathway showing significant enrichment. Through molecular docking, we discovered that relevant targets within this pathway exhibited strong binding with the active components of Poria cocos (Schw.) Wolf. In vitro experiments unveiled that PTE (10 mg/L) facilitated the migration of human umbilical vein vascular endothelial cells (P < 0.05). PTE also increased the expression of CD31 and VEGF mRNA (P < 0.05) while activating the expressions of p-PI3K and p-AKT (P < 0.05). Moreover, PTE demonstrated its potential by reducing the expression of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, and NF-κB mRNA in THP-1 (P < 0.05) and fostering M2 macrophage polarization. These results signify the potential therapeutic effects of PTE in treating diabetic ulcers, with its beneficial actions mediated through the PI3K-AKT signaling pathway.

CONCLUSIONS

PTE is the main active ingredient in Poria cocos (Schw.) Wolf that exerts therapeutic effects. Through PI3K-AKT signaling pathway activation and inflammatory response reduction, PTE promotes angiogenesis, thereby healing diabetic ulcers.

Study on the action mechanism of the peptide compounds of Wuguchong on diabetic ulcers, based on UHPLC-Q-TOF-MS, network pharmacology and experimental validation

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Diabetic foot ulcers mainly refer to people who are initially diabetic and do not have peripheral neuropathy or peripheral vascular disease, but have developed foot infection, septicemia, and ulceration. Diabetic trauma disease is characterized by high sugar and very slow wound healing, which is the reason why some patients with severe diabetic trauma require amputation. Prolonged hyperglycemia can lead to changes in bodily functions and endocrine changes, which can lead to permeability damage of epidermal tissue structure, microvascular damage and, in more severe cases, nerve damage, which are also the main causes of diabetic trauma. Small molecule peptides have various biological activities, such as: lowering blood pressure, antibacterial and wound healing activities, etc. It is a drug recorded in classical Chinese medicine, it is safer to use natural active peptides to treat wounds compared to the listed drugs, and there are no side effects in its use.The wound healing effect of Wuguchong dry product has been confirmed but the mechanism is still unclear, whether it is related to the small molecule active peptides contained in it remains to be studied.

AIM OF STUDY

Objective To investigate the potential mechanism of the peptide compounds of Wuguchong (PCW) on diabetic wound healing and the relevant targets in the pathway associated with the treatment of diabetic ulcers using a systematic pharmacological and pharmacological experimental validation approach.

METHODS

1) PCW was prepared by enzymatic digestion of TCMW and analyzed by UHPLC-Q-TOF-MS. 2) Further screening of the active chemical components of PCW using PubChem, Swiss Target Prediction data. 3) Prediction of its targets using Drug Bank, CTD, and Genecards databases. 4) Construct protein/gene interactions network diagrams for PCWs acting by using Cytoscape 3.7.0 software. 5) GO and KEGG analysis of PCW targets were performed by David database. 6) Validated by AO/EB staining, scratching and in vitro tube formation methods. 7) Explored the mechanism of PCW to promote diabetic wound healing by protein blotting and immunohistochemical detection of relevant protein expression.

RESULTS

and finally: 1) After the above screening, 81 active ingredients of PCW and 94 targets acting on diabetic ulcers were obtained. 2) 30 biological processes, 30 cellular compositions and 30 molecular functions were obtained by GO analysis; 28 signaling pathways were obtained by KEGG analysis. 3) The results of AO/EB staining assay, scratch assay and in vitro tube-forming assay showed that PCW has significant pro-vascular endothelial cell proliferation and pro-angiogenic effects in vitro.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of this study confirmed the effect of the PCW in treating diabetic ulcers to a certain extent, and further revealed its mechanism of action in depth, which provides a new reference for the next step of Chinese medicine in treating diabetic ulcers.

Systemic pharmacological verification of Baixianfeng decoction regulating TNF-PI3K-Akt-NF-κB pathway in treating rheumatoid arthritis

Traditional Chinese medicine has a long history of treating complex diseases, especially for the conditioning of systemic diseases. It has been reported that Baixianfeng (BXF) decoction used to treat rheumatoid arthritis (RA) may be due to its systemic regulatory effect, but the specific mechanism still remains to be elucidated. The research philosophy and methods of systemic pharmacology were used to explore the mechanism of BXF decoction in treating RA in this study. TCMSP database was used to search the ingredients of BXF decoction and screen the ADME parameters. The parameter index was set as OB ≥ 30%, DL ≥ 0.18, HL ≥ 4 h. The targets of the screened compounds were searched and predicted by TCMSP and Target-Prediction platforms. The disease targets of RA were obtained through the DisGeNET, OMIM, and PharmGkb databases. A series of network construction and analysis relied on Cytoscape 3.2.1 software, and the DAVID database was used for pathway enrichment. The adjuvant arthritis rat model was used for the verification of animal experiments to verify the predicted pathway results in terms of pathological phenotype, inflammatory factors, and pathway protein expression. The results showed that the related targets of 81 active ingredients in the drug crossed 56 targets of RA, and these common targets were enriched in 83 significant pathways, among which the TNF signaling pathway had research significance. Animal experiments have proved that BXF decoction was effective in treating adjuvant arthritis rats. The drug relieved the pathological phenotype of rats in dose-dependent. It reduced the serum content of TNF-α and IL-1β, and reduced the gene expression of TNF-α and IL-6 in spleen tissue. In the cartilage tissue protein of rats, it inhibited the degradation of collagen Ⅱ protein. Further, BXF decoction reduced the activation of p-PI3K, p-Akt, and p-P65 protein, and decreased the overexpression of apoptotic proteins such as cleaved-caspase8 and cleaved-caspase3 in cartilage tissue. Meanwhile, it inhibited the protein expression of MMP9, TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β. In conclusion, this study successfully practiced the combination of systemic pharmacology and experimental verification, and clarified that BXF decoction inhibited the progression of adjuvant arthritis rats through the TNF-PI3K-Akt-NF-κB signal axis. It provides new evidence for the study of the mechanism of BXF decoction in treating RA.

Investigation of inhibition effect of daidzein on osteosarcoma cells based on experimental validation and systematic pharmacology analysis

Objective

This study aims to explore the effect of daidzein, which is a natural isoflavone compound mainly extracted from soybeans, on osteosarcoma and the potential molecular mechanism.

Material and Methods

143B and U2OS osteosarcoma cells were treated with gradient concentrations of daidzein, and MTT assay was used to determine the cell proliferation capacity and IC₅₀. Hoechst 33342 staining and Annexin V-FITC/PI detection were used to determine apoptosis. Cell cycle was analyzed by flow cytometry, and migration ability were detected by transwell assays and scratch wound assay. An osteosarcoma xenograft mice model was applied to investigate the effect of daidzein on osteosarcoma in vivo. Systematic pharmacology and molecular modeling analysis were applied to predict the target of daidzein to osteosarcoma, and the target Src was verified by western blotting. We also observed the effect of daidzein on cell proliferation and apoptosis of Src-overexpressing osteosarcoma cells.

Results

In vitro, daidzein significantly inhibited 143B and U2OS osteosarcoma cell proliferation and migration, and induced cell cycle arrest. In vivo, daidzein exerts antitumor effects in osteosarcoma xenograft mice. After systematic screening and analysis, Src-MAPK signaling pathway was predicted as the highest-ranked pathway. Western blot demonstrated that daidzein inhibited phosphorylation of the Src-ERK pathway in osteosarcoma cells. Also, overexpression of Src could partially reverse the inhibitory effects of daidzein on osteosarcoma cell proliferation.

Conclusion

Daidzein exerts an antitumor effect on osteosarcoma, and the mechanism may be through the Src-ERK pathway.

Systemic pharmacological investigation of the Feng Shi Gu Tong capsule in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis

Feng Shi Gu Tong (FSGT) capsule is a commonly used Chinese Traditional Patent Medicine in clinical practice, which has been proven to be effective for the treatment of active rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However, due to its complex composition, the precise molecular mechanism of the FSGT capsule in the treatment of RA is still indistinct. Therefore, the method of systemic pharmacology was used to obtain candidate compounds through absorption, distribution, metabolism, elimination (ADME) parameters, and supplementation of references. Network construction and analysis were also included to reveal the potential mechanism of FSGT capsule in treating RA. A total of 119 compounds were obtained in FSGT capsule, and a total of 107 compounds with targets were included in the study. These compounds acted on 267 targets in total. In addition, there were 317 targets related to RA disease. All constructed networks included four major networks and four minor networks. In addition, the clusters of RA disease protein-protein interaction (PPI) network and FSGT capsule-RA disease targets network revealed that the biological process involved in these clusters including immune response and apoptosis, etc. The pathways enriched by the direct targets of FSGT capsule acted on RA also highly overlapped with the pathways enriched by the RA PPI network, such as the TNF signaling pathway. Our research has managed to predict and explain the pharmacological effects and the molecular mechanisms of the FSGT capsule in RA, and provided a realistic exploration method for studying the potentially active ingredients of traditional Chinese medicines simultaneously.

Systemic pharmacology understanding of the key mechanism of Sedum sarmentosum Bunge in treating hepatitis

Sedum sarmentosum Bunge is a Traditional Chinese Medicine that is widely used in treating hepatitis, whereas the detailed mechanisms have not been fully interpreted. A systemic pharmacology method including absorption, distribution, metabolism and elimination screening, drug targeting, interaction network plotting, and enrichment analysis was applied for exploring the underlying mechanisms of Sedum sarmentosum Bunge in the treatment of hepatitis. A total of 47 ingredients were identified in Sedum sarmentosum Bunge, and 5 active ingredients (DFV, isorhamnetin, beta-sitosterol, luteolin and quercetin) were screened out with the criteria of oral bioavailability (OB) ≥ 30% and drug-likeness (DL) ≥ 0.18. Those 5 ingredients interacted with 170 targets, 163 of which were hepatitis-related. By compound-target-disease network plotting, protein-protein interaction network plotting and enrichment analysis, the pathways that the 5 ingredients engaged in during hepatitis development and progression were investigated, such as threonine-protein kinase signaling. The integrated systemic pharmacology analysis facilitates the in-depth understanding of Sedum sarmentosum Bunge in the hepatitis treatment, which also paves the way for further knowledge of the molecular mechanism of Sedum sarmentosum Bunge in treating hepatitis.

Beneficial effects of Bacopa monnieri extract on opioid induced toxicity

The present study examined the hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity of morphine and illicit street heroin and their amelioration by a standardized methanolic extract of Bacopa monnieri (L.) (mBME) in rats. Morphine or street heroin was administered at a dose of 20 mg/kg for 14 and 21 days. mBME (40 mg/kg) or ascorbic acid (50 mg/kg) was administered two hours before morphine or street heroin. High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used for the standardization of bacoside-A major components in mBME. The antioxidant potential of mBME was evaluated by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging assay. Administration of morphine and street heroin resulted in marked elevation of serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and creatinine. Histopathological changes induced by morphine and street heroin after 14 days were of reversible nature while treatment for 21 days was associated with irreversible changes. Pretreatment with mBME or ascorbic acid restored the elevation of serum ALT, AST and creatinine and protected liver and kidneys from the toxicological influence of morphine and street heroin. HPLC analysis showed that mBME contained bacoside-A major components i.e. bacoside-A₃ (37.5 μg/mg), bacopaside-II (4.62 μg/mg) and bacopasaponin-C (1.91 μg/mg). The EC₅₀ for the DPPH free radical scavenging assay revealed that mBME possessed strong antioxidant potential. These results concluded that as compared to morphine, street heroin was associated with severe biochemical and histopathological changes in the liver and kidneys. Bacopa monnieri having strong antioxidant potential may provide a beneficial herbal remedy for the efficient management of opioid related hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity.