Transcriptomic and proteomic investigation of the ameliorative effect of total polyphenolic glycoside extract on hepatic fibrosis in Lamiophlomis rotata Kudo via the AGE/RAGE pathway

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

During the regression of liver fibrosis, a decrease in hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) can occur through apoptosis or inactivation of activated HSCs (aHSCs). A new approach for antifibrotic therapy involves transforming hepatic myofibroblasts into a quiescent-like state. Lamiophlomis rotata (Benth.) Kudo (L. rotata), an orally available Tibetan herb, has traditionally been used to treat skin disease, jaundice, and rheumatism. In our previous study, we found that the total polyphenolic glycoside extract of L. rotata (TPLR) promotes apoptosis in aHSCs for the treatment of hepatic fibrosis. However, whether TPLR induces aHSCs to become inactivated HSCs (iHSCs) is unclear, and the underlying mechanism remains largely unknown.

PURPOSE

This study aimed to examine the impact of TPLR on the phenotypes of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) during the regression of liver fibrosis and explore the potential mechanism of action.

METHODS

The effect of TPLR on the phenotypes of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) was assessed using immunofluorescence (IF) staining, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and Western blotting. Transcriptomic and proteomic methods were employed to identify the main signaling pathways involved. Based on the omics results, the likely mechanism of TPLR on the phenotypes of aHSCs was confirmed through overexpression and knockdown experiments in TGF-β1-activated LX-2 cells. Using a CCl4-induced liver fibrosis mouse model, we evaluated the anti-hepatic fibrosis effect of TPLR and explored its potential mechanism based on omics findings.

RESULTS

TPLR was found to induce the differentiation of aHSCs into iHSCs by significantly decreasing the protein expression of α-SMA and Desmin. Transcriptomic and proteomic analyses revealed that the AGE/RAGE signaling pathway plays a crucial role in the morphological transformation of HSCs following TPLR treatment. In vitro experiments using RAGE overexpression and knockdown demonstrated that the mechanism by which TPLR affects the phenotype of HSCs is closely associated with the RAGE/RAS/MAPK/NF-κB axis. In a model of liver fibrosis, TPLR obviously inhibited the generation of AGEs and alleviated liver tissue damage and fibrosis by downregulating RAGE and its downstream targets.

CONCLUSION

The AGE/RAGE axis plays a pivotal role in the transformation of activated hepatic stellate cells (aHSCs) into inactivated hepatic stellate cells (iHSCs) following TPLR treatment, indicating the potential of TPLR as a therapeutic agent for the management of liver fibrosis.

Exploring the pharmacological mechanisms and key active ingredients of total flavonoids from Lamiophlomis rotata (Benth.) Kudo against rheumatoid arthritis based on multi-technology integrated network pharmacology

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Lamiophlomis rotata (Benth.) Kudo (LR, Lamiaceae) is a traditional Tibetan medicinal material in China. Tibetan medicine classic and research report suggested that LR could be used to cure rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However, the anti-RA active ingredients and pharmacological mechanisms of LR have not been elucidated.

AIM OF THE STUDY

To explore the mechanisms and key active ingredients of total flavonoids from LR (TFLR) against RA.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

First, the mechanisms of TFLR against RA were investigated on collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) rat model by analyzing paw appearance, paw swelling, arthritis score, spleen index, thymus index, inflammatory cytokine (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6 and IL-17) levels in serum, histopathology of ankle joint and synovium from knee joint (hematoxylin-eosin, safranin O-fast green and DAB-TUNEL staining), and apoptosis-related protein (PI3K, Akt1, p-Akt, Bad, p-Bad, Bcl-xL and Bcl-2) levels in the synovium of ankle joints (Western blot). Then, the crucially active ingredients of TFLR against RA were explored by network pharmacology, ingredient analysis, in vitro metabolism and TNF-α-induced human RA synovial fibroblast MH7A proliferation assays. Network pharmacology was applied to predict the key active ingredients of TFLR against RA. The ingredient analysis and in vitro metabolism of TFLR were performed on HPLC, and MH7A proliferation assay were applied to evaluate the predicted results of network pharmacology.

RESULTS

TFLR shown excellently anti-RA effect by reducing paw swelling, arthritis score, spleen index, thymus index and inflammatory cytokine (IL-1β, IL-6 and IL-17) levels, and improving the histopathological changes of ankle joint and synovium from knee joint in CIA rats. Results of Western blot indicated that TFLR reversed the changes of PI3K, p-Akt, p-Bad, Bcl-xL and Bcl-2 levels in the ankle joint synovium of CIA rats. Results of network pharmacology exhibited that luteolin was identified as the pivotal active ingredient of TFLR against RA. The ingredient analysis of TFLR indicated that the main ingredient in TFLR was luteoloside. The in vitro metabolism study of TFLR suggested that luteoloside could be converted to luteolin in artificial gastric juice and intestinal juice. Results of MH7A proliferation assay showed that there was no significant difference between TFLR and equal luteoloside on the viability of MH7A cells, indicating that luteoloside was the key active ingredient of TFLR against RA. Additionally, the luteolin (same mol as luteoloside) showed better inhibitory effect on the viability of MH7A cells than luteoloside.

CONCLUSION

TFLR showed anti-RA effect, and the mechanism was related to promoting synovial cell apoptosis mediated by PI3K/Akt/Bad pathway. Meanwhile, this work indicated that luteoloside was the key active ingredient of TFLR against RA. This work lays a foundation for providing TFLR product with clear mechanism and stable quality to treat RA.

Flavonoid synthesis in Lamiophlomis rotata from Qinghai-Tibet Plateau is influenced by soil properties, microbial community, and gene expression

Lamiophlomis rotata is a medicinal plant in Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, in which flavonoid compounds are the major medicinal components. However, it remains unclear how flavonoid metabolism of L. rotata is influenced by soil properties and microbial community. In this study, we collected L. rotata seedlings and rhizosphere soils from five habitats ranging from 3750 to 4270 m of altitude and analyzed the effects of habitat conditions on flavonoid metabolism. The activities of peroxidase, cellulase, and urease were increased with altitude, while those of alkaline phosphatase, alkaline protease, and sucrase were decreased with altitude. Analysis of OTUs showed that the total number of bacterial genera was higher than that of fungal genera. The highest number of fungal genera was 132, and that of bacterial genera was 33 in Batang (BT) town in Yushu County at an altitude of 3880 m, suggesting that the fungal communities may play a critical role in L. rotata rhizosphere soils. Flavonoids in leaves and roots of L. rotata shared a similar pattern, with a trend of increasing levels with altitude. The highest flavonoid content measured, 12.94 mg/g in leaves and 11.43 mg/g in roots, was from Zaduo (ZD) County at an altitude of 4208 m. Soil peroxidases affected quercetin content in leaves of L. rotata, while the fungus Sebacina affected flavonoid content in leaves and roots of L. rotata. The expression of PAL, F3'H, FLS, and FNS genes showed a declining trend in leaves with altitude, while F3H showed an increasing trend in both leaves and roots. Overall, soil physicochemical properties and microbial community affect flavonoid metabolism in L. rotata in Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. The variations in flavonoid content and gene expression as well as their associations with soil factors revealed the complexity of the growth conditions and genetic makeup in L. rotata habitats of Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.

The total iridoid glycoside extract of Lamiophlomis rotata Kudo induces M2 macrophage polarization to accelerate wound healing by RAS/ p38 MAPK/NF-κB pathway

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Lamiophlomis rotata (Benth.) Kudo (L. rotata), a Tibetan medicinal plant, is used to treat "yellow-water diseases", such as skin disease, jaundice and rheumatism. Our previous study showed that the iridoid glycoside extract of L. rotata (IGLR) is the major constituent of skin wound healing. However, the role of IGLR in the biological process of trauma repair and the probable mechanism of the action remain largely unknown.

AIM OF THE STUDY

To investigate the role of IGLR in the biological process of trauma repair and the probable mechanism of the action.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The role of IGLR in wound healing was investigated by overall skin wound in mice with Hematoxylin and Eosin (H&E) and Masson trichrome staining. The anti-inflammatory, angiogenesis-promoting and fibril formation effects of IGLR were visualized in wound skin tissue by immunofluorescence staining, and the proinflammatory factors and growth factors were assayed by real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Macrophages, dermal fibroblasts, and endothelial cells were cultured to measure the direct/indirect interaction effects of IGLR on the proliferation and migration of cells, and flow cytometry was employed to assess the role of IGLR on macrophage phenotype. Network pharmacology combined with Western blot experiments were conducted to explore possible mechanisms of the actions.

RESULTS

IGLR increased the expression of CD206 (M2 markers) through the RAS/p38 MAPK/NF-κB signaling pathway during wound injury in vivo and in vitro. IGLR suppressed the inflammatory cytokines iNOS, IL-1β and TNF-α in the early stage of wound healing. During the proliferation step of wound repair, IGLR promoted angiogenesis and fibril formation by increasing the expression of VEGF, CD31, TGF-β and α-SMA in wound tissue, and similar results were verified by RT-PCR and ELISA. In a paracrine mechanism, the extract promoted the proliferation of dermal fibroblasts, and endothelial cells were founded by the conditioned medium (CM).

CONCLUSION

IGLR induced M2 macrophage polarization in the early stage of wound healing; in turn, IGLR played a key role in the transition from inflammation to cell proliferation during the biological process of wound healing.

Identifying and mapping individual medicinal plant Lamiophlomis rotata at high elevations by using unmanned aerial vehicles and deep learning

BACKGROUND

The identification and enumeration of medicinal plants at high elevations is an important part of accurate yield calculations. However, the current assessment of medicinal plant reserves continues to rely on field sampling surveys, which are cumbersome and time-consuming. Recently, unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) remote sensing and deep learning (DL) have provided ultrahigh-resolution imagery and high-accuracy object recognition techniques, respectively, providing an excellent opportunity to improve the current manual surveying of plants. However, accurate segmentation of individual plants from drone images remains a significant challenge due to the large variation in size, geometry, and distribution of medicinal plants.

RESULTS

In this study, we proposed a new pipeline for wild medicinal plant detection and yield assessment based on UAV and DL that was specifically designed for detecting wild medicinal plants in an orthomosaic. We used a drone to collect panoramic images of Lamioplomis rotata Kudo (LR) in high-altitude areas. Then, we annotated and cropped these images into equally sized sub-images and used a DL model Mask R-CNN for object detection and segmentation of LR. Finally, on the basis of the segmentation results, we accurately counted the number and yield of LRs. The results showed that the Mask R-CNN model based on the ResNet-101 backbone network was superior to ResNet-50 in all evaluation indicators. The average identification precision of LR by Mask R-CNN based on the ResNet-101 backbone network was 89.34%, while that of ResNet-50 was 88.32%. The cross-validation results showed that the average accuracy of ResNet-101 was 78.73%, while that of ResNet-50 was 71.25%. According to the orthomosaic, the average number and yield of LR in the two sample sites were 19,376 plants and 57.93 kg and 19,129 plants and 73.5 kg respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The combination of DL and UAV remote sensing reveals significant promise in medicinal plant detection, counting, and yield prediction, which will benefit the monitoring of their populations for conservation assessment and management, among other applications.

Complete chloroplast genome of Lamiophlomis rotata: comparative genome analysis and phylogenetic analysis

Lamiophlomis rotata, the only species within the genus Lamiophlomis (family Labiatae), exhibits a broad geographical distribution in elevated highland areas in Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau and possesses significant therapeutic properties. Numerous chemical compositions and putative phylogenetic affiliations of this species have been documented in prior research. Nevertheless, there is a scarcity of accessible publications regarding the genomic data of L. rotata, particularly its chloroplast genome. This dearth of knowledge hampers the comprehensive investigation of its phylogenetic placement within the Labiatae family. In this study, we present a comprehensive analysis of the plastid genome of L. rotata. The plastid genome has a length of 151,837 base pairs (bp) and a GC content of 38.5%. Within this genome, a total of 135 genes were identified, including 90 protein-coding genes, 37 transfer RNA (tRNA) genes, and eight ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes. By employing phylogenetic analysis, the taxonomic position of L. rotata within the family Labiatae is elucidated, highlighting a close relationship between the genus Lamiophlomis and the genus Phlomis. Notably, extensive genetic variations were uncovered between L. rotata and other Phlomis species. This study could provide significant insights for understanding the phylogenetic relationships of taxa within Labiatae.

Network Pharmacology-Based Prediction of Active Ingredients and Mechanisms of Lamiophlomis rotata (Benth.) Kudo Against Rheumatoid Arthritis

Background: Lamiophlomis rotata (LR) showed favorable clinical effect and safety on rheumatoid arthritis (RA), but its active ingredients and mechanisms against RA remain unknown. The aim of this work was to explore the active ingredients and mechanisms of LR against RA by network pharmacology. Methods: Compounds from LR were identified using literature retrieval and screened by absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity (ADMET) evaluation. Genes related to the selected compounds or RA were identified using public databases, and the overlapping genes between compounds and RA target genes were identified using Venn diagram. Then, the interactions network between compounds and overlapping genes was constructed, visualized, and analyzed by Cytoscape software. Finally, pathway enrichment analysis of overlapping genes was carried out on Database for Annotation, Visualization, and Integrated Discovery (DAVID) platform. Results: A total of 148 compounds in LR were identified, and ADMET screen results indicated that 67 compounds exhibited good potential as active ingredients. A total of 90 compounds-related genes and 1,871 RA-related genes were identified using public databases, and 48 overlapping genes between them were identified. Cytoscape results suggested that the active ingredients and target genes of LR against RA consisted of 23 compounds and 48 genes, and luteolin and AKT1 were the uppermost active ingredient and hub gene, respectively. DAVID results exhibited that the mechanisms of LR against RA were related to 34 signaling pathways, and the key mechanism of LR against RA might be to induce apoptosis of synovial cells by inactivating PI3K-Akt signaling pathway. Conclusion: The active ingredients and mechanisms of LR against RA were firstly investigated using network pharmacology. This work provides scientific evidence to support the clinical effect of LR on RA, and a research basis for further expounding the active ingredients and mechanisms of LR against RA.

Lamiophlomis rotata Identification via ITS2 Barcode and Quality Evaluation by UPLC-QTOF-MS Couple with Multivariate Analyses

Lamiophlomis rotata (L. rotata), is known as "Daba" in the Tibetan region, Ajuga ovalifolia and Oreosolen wartii have also been utilized as substitutes for "Daba", however, only L. rotata has been officially listed in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia for hemostasis preparations. To safely apply the traditional uses of the herb, internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) DNA barcodes were employed to discriminate L. rotata from its adulterants. For further evaluation of the quality of different originating habitats, the chemical profiles of 25 samples were determined by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-QTOF-MS) coupled with multivariate analyses. ITS2 DNA barcodes differentiated L. rotata from O. wartii and A. ovalifolia accurately. A neighbor-joining (NJ) tree showed that three origins clustered into three clades. Forty-nine compounds were identified in the total ion current (TIC) profile of L. rotata. Additionally, two pairs of isomers were identified for the first time by using mass spectrometry fragmentation. The differences between the variable habitats were determined by multivariate statistical analysis of the UPLC-QTOF-MS data from 25 specimens. Ten compounds were identified as the characteristic markers distinguishing the sample from four geographical origins. The results also suggest that samples from Qinghai and Sichuan province would be the most suitable choice for traditional prescriptions and preparations.

Discriminating Lamiophlomis rotata According to Geographical Origin by (1)H-NMR Spectroscopy and Multivariate Analysis

INTRODUCTION

Lamiophlomis rotata (Duyiwei) is a folk herbal medicine that traditionally has been used in China as a hemostatic agent. Raw plant materials used for medicinal products from different geographical regions are often inconsistent in chemical composition. Metabolic fingerprinting provides a new approach for distinguishing the geographical origins of L. rotata.

OBJECTIVE

To identify metabolites that contribute to the different geographical regions of L. rotata samples.

METHODS

Lamiophlomis rotata metabolomics were performed by (1)H-nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and multivariate statistical analyses. The L. rotata metabolic profile was prepared for NMR measurements using methanol-d4 solvent. Principal component analysis (PCA) and hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) were applied to analyse the L. rotata (1)H-NMR spectroscopy data.

RESULTS

Nine iridoid glycosides, one flavonoid and three phenylpropanoid glycosides were detected in L. rotata by (1)H-NMR spectroscopy. (1)H-NMR measurements and multivariate analysis were used to successfully discriminate samples from three different locations.

CONCLUSION

The NMR-based analysis of L. rotata is a more comprehensive approach than traditional chromatographic methods. Simple sample preparation, rapidity and reproducibility of are additional advantages of NMR analysis.

Roles of H2S in adaptation of alpine plants Lamiophlomis rotata to altitude gradients

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is an important gaseous transmitter in organisims. It widespreads in the organs and tissues of animals and participates in the biological process of cardiovascular relaxation, cell apoptosis and protection, inflammation and neuromodulation. H2S also can be synthesized in plants system and is involved in stress responses and the biological process of growth and development. This review describes the synthesis and biological function of H2S in plants. Based on our research for the adaptation of Lamiophlomis rotata to different altitude gradients, we firstly proposed H2S plays an important role in the adaptation of Lamiophlomis rotata to alpine environment.

Constituent analysis and quality control of Lamiophlomis rotata by LC-TOF/MS and HPLC-UV

In the present study, chemical profile analysis for Lamiophlomis rotata, a classic Tibetan folk medicine, was illustrated by an ultra-high performance liquid chromatography quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LC-TOF/MS) method, which provided evidence for the certain identification of the main constituents, including iridoids, flavonoids and phenylethanoid glycosides. Among these compounds, nine of them were regarded as marker compounds for the quantitative evaluation of L. rotata, using a simple and reliable method by HPLC with ultraviolet, in combination of chromatographic fingerprint analysis. Separation was achieved on a Waters SunFire C18 analytical column with linear gradient elution of acetonitrile and 0.1% formic acid aqueous solution. The validated method was successfully applied to evaluate twelve batches of L. rotata. Assay results showed that nine compounds did not vary significantly from the aerial parts and the whole plant for each batch, and was consistent with the fingerprint analysis, which confirmed the medicine parts alteration in Chinese Pharmacopoeia from the perspective of chemical components.

Simultaneous determination of phenylethanoid glycosides and aglycones by capillary zone electrophoresis with running buffer modifier

Although the separation efficiency of capillary electrophoresis (CE) is much higher than that of other chromatographic methods, it is sometimes difficult to adequately separate the complex ingredients in biological samples. This article describes how one effective and simple way to develop the separation efficiency in CE is to add some modifiers to the running buffer. The suitable running buffer modifier β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) was explored to fast and completely separate four phenylethanoid glycosides and aglycones (homovanillyl alcohol, hydroxytyrosol, 3,4-dimethoxycinnamic acid, and caffeic acid) in Lamiophlomis rotata (Lr) and Cistanche by capillary zone electrophoresis with ultraviolet (UV) detection. It was found that when β-CD was used as running buffer modifier, a baseline separation of the four analytes could be accomplished in less than 20 min and the detection limits were as low as 10(-3) mg L(-1). Other factors affecting the CE separation, such as working potential, pH value and ionic strength of running buffer, separation voltage, and sample injection time, were investigated extensively. Under the optimal conditions, a successful practical application on the determination of Lr and Cistanche samples confirmed the validity and practicability of this method.