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Shenlingbaizhu (SLBZ) formula, a classical traditional Chinese medicinal (TCM) formula, has been widely used for treating antibiotic-associated diarrhea (AAD). However, the underlying pharmacological mechanisms have not yet been investigated thoroughly. To explore the remission mechanism of SLBZ in the treatment of AAD, we conducted network pharmacological analysis and experimental validation in vitro and in vivo. In this study, the main compounds of SLBZ were identified by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectroscopy (UHPLC-MS) and online databases. The targets of the active components and AAD-related targets were predicted by network pharmacology, and the potential targets of SLBZ against AAD were obtained. Then the core targets were recognized after Protein-Protein Interaction (PPI) analysis. Based on these, gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) signaling pathway analyses were conducted, and the key pathway was screened. Subsequently, molecular docking was performed using Auto Dock Vina to find the key components that played a crucial role in that pathway. Molecular dynamics simulation was performed by Gromacs software to detect the binding mode. Finally, the results were confirmed by in vitro and in vivo experiments. A total of 66 active ingredients of SLBZ were detected by UHPLC-MS, and 128 active ingredients were screened out by network pharmacological analysis. Additionally, 935 drug targets and 1686 AAD-related targets were obtained. Seventy-eight intersected genes were selected as potential therapeutic targets and 19 genes were excavated as core targets. Enrichment analysis revealed PI3K-AKT signaling pathway was the key pathway in SLBZ against AAD. Topological analysis further revealed that JAK2, MTOR, TLR4, and SYK were the key targets affected by SLBZ on the PI3K-AKT pathway, and 52 components of SLBZ were associated with them. Molecular docking and dynamics simulation revealed strong binding affinities between MTOR and diosgenin. Subsequently, after SLBZ treatment, the expression levels of JAK2, MTOR, TLR4, and SYK were found significantly upregulated in the AAD model rats (p < 0.05). The cell experiment further validated the good binding ability between MTOR and diosgenin. We demonstrate that the therapeutic effect of SLBZ on AAD was achieved in part by inhibiting the PI3K-AKT pathway. [Display omitted] • Ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectroscopy was used to identify the main compounds of Shenlingbaizhu (SLBZ) formula. • Network pharmacology and in vivo experiments showed that the therapeutic effect of SLBZ on antibiotic-associated diarrhea was achieved in part by inhibiting the PI3K/AKT pathway. • This study revealed for the first time that diosgenin in SLBZ was the main ingredient that inhibited the PI3K/AKT pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Panax notoginseng saponins (PNS), as the main active component of Panax notoginseng , shows broad pharmacological effects but with low oral bioavailability. Borneol (BO) is commonly used as an adjuvant drug in the field of traditional Chinese medicine, which has been proven to facilitate the absorption of ginsenosides such as Rg1 and Rb1 in vivo. The presence of chiral carbons has resulted in three optical isomers of BO commercially available in the market, all of which are documented by national standards. This study aimed to investigate the role of BO in promoting the oral absorption of PNS from the perspective of optical configuration and compatibility ratios. In this study, an ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with triple quadrupole-linear ion trap tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-QTRAP-MS/MS) method was validated and applied to determine the concentrations of five main saponins in PNS in rat plasma. The kinetic characteristics of PNS were compared when co-administered with BO based on optical isomerism and different compatibility ratios. The results showed that BO promoted the exposure of PNS in rats. Three forms of BO, namely d -borneol (DB), l -borneol (LB), and synthetic borneol (SB), exhibited different promotion strengths. SB elevated PNS exposure in rats more than DB or LB. It is also interesting to note that under different compatibility ratios, SB can exert a strong promoting effect only when PNS and BO were combined in a 1:1 ratio (PNS 75 mg/kg; BO 75 mg/kg). As a pharmacokinetic booster, the dosage of BO is worthy of consideration and should follow the traditional medication principles of Chinese medicine. This study shed new light on the compatible use of PNS and BO from the perspective of "configuration-dose-influence" of BO. The results provide important basis for the clinical application and selection of BO. [Display omitted] • Borneol (BO) promoted the oral absorption of Panax notoginseng saponins (PNS) in rat. • Dl -borneol (synthetic) increased PNS exposure in rats more than d - or l -borneol. • Compatibility ratio of BO and PNS at 1:1 can better promote the absorption of PNS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Safflower is a traditional Chinese medicine used for treating gynaecological diseases. However, its material basis and mechanism of action in the treatment of endometritis induced by incomplete abortion are still unclear. This study aimed to reveal the material basis and mechanism of action of safflower in the treatment of endometritis induced by incomplete abortion through comprehensive methods, including network pharmacology and 16S rDNA sequencing. Network pharmacology and molecular docking methods were used to screen the main active components and potential mechanisms of action of safflower in the treatment of endometritis induced by incomplete abortion in rats. A rat model of endometrial inflammation by incomplete abortion was established. The rats were treated with safflower total flavonoids (STF) based on forecasting results, serum levels of inflammatory cytokines were analysed, and immunohistochemistry, Western blots, and 16S rDNA sequencing were performed to investigate the effects of the active ingredient and the treatment mechanism. The network pharmacology prediction results showed 20 active components with 260 targets in safflower, 1007 targets related to endometritis caused by incomplete abortion, and 114 drug-disease intersecting targets, including TNF, IL6, TP53, AKT1, JUN, VEGFA, CASP3 and other core targets, PI3K/AKT, MAPK and other signalling pathways may be closely related to incomplete abortion leading to endometritis. The animal experiment results showed that STF could significantly repair uterine damage and reduce the amount of bleeding. Compared with the model group, STF significantly down-regulated the levels of pro-inflammatory factors (IL-6, IL-1β, NO, TNF-α) and the expression of JNK, ASK1, Bax, caspase3, and caspase11 proteins. At the same time, the levels of anti-inflammatory factors (TGF-β and PGE2) and the protein expression of ERα, PI3K, AKT, and Bcl2 were up-regulated. Significant differences in the intestinal flora were seen between the normal group and the model group, and the intestinal flora of the rats was closer to the normal group after the administration of STF. The characteristics of STF used in the treatment of endometritis induced by incomplete abortion were multi-targeted and involved multiple pathways. The mechanism may be related to the activation of the ERα/PI3K/AKT signalling pathway by regulating the composition and ratio of the gut microbiota. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Ethnopharmacological relevance As recorded in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) theory, Genkwa Flos (YH) and Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma (GC) compose one herbal pair of the so-called "eighteen incompatible medicaments", which indicate pairs of herbs that are mutually incompatible and that theoretically should not be applied simultaneously. However, the theory has been called into question due to a lack of evidence. Aims of study In this study, the incompatibility of YH and GC was investigated based on an assessment of the toxic effects of their combination by traditional safety methods and a modern metabonomic approach. Materials and methods Sprague-Dawley rats were used to evaluate the subacute toxicity of YH and YH-GC. The serum, urine, and several tissues were collected for biochemical analysis, histopathological examination, and metabonomic analysis. Results Rats exposed to a dose of 1.0 g/kg YH (3 times of the Chinese Pharmacopoeia maximum dose) exhibited toxicity of the heart, liver, kidney and testes, and rats exposed to a YH-GC combination (1.0 g/kg YH + 1.0 g/kg GC) exhibited similar hepatotoxicity, which aggravated renal and reproductive toxicity. Following this, a metabonomic study tentatively identified 14 potential biomarkers in the YH group and 10 potential biomarkers in the YH-GC group, and metabolic pathways were then constructed. YH disturbed the pathways of glycerophospholipid metabolism, primary bile acid biosynthesis, and sphingolipid metabolism, while YH-GC combination induced disruptions in phenylalanine, tyrosine and tryptophan biosynthesis, tyrosine metabolism, and glycerophospholipid metabolism. Conclusion The toxicities of YH and YH-GC combination above the Chinese Pharmacopoeia dose were obvious but different. Metabonomics combined with biochemical and histopathological methods can be applied to elucidate the toxicity mechanism of the YH-GC combination that caused liver, kidney and reproductive injuries in rats. Graphical abstract fx1 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

WeiChang'An Pill (WCAP) is used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) to clinically treat diarrhoea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-D); however, the underlying pharmacological mechanisms are unclear to date. To explore the mechanism underlying the therapeutic action of WCAP in IBS-D using a network pharmacology approach and in vivo experiments. The active compounds of WCAP were selected from the TCM Systems Pharmacology Database and TCM Integrated Database, and the potential targets were identified using the Swiss Target Prediction and Similarity Ensemble Approach (SEA) databases. The targets related to IBS-D were mined from the Therapeutic Target Database (TTD), National Center for Biotechnology Information Search database (NCBI), DrugBank database, and DisGeNET database. The intersecting protein-protein interactions (PPIs) of the drug-disease crossover genes were analysed, and the central PPI network was constructed using the String database, version 11.0, and Cytoscape version 3.7.2. Following Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopaedia of Genes and Genomes pathway analyses, the gene-pathway network was constructed for identifying the key target genes and pathways. Based on the results and existing evidence, it was selected the cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) signalling pathway for further validation using in vivo experiments. A total of 872 targets were identified from the 77 active compounds in WCAP, which shared 78 targets that were predicted to be related to IBS-D. Twenty-one core targets were identified from the PPI network, which was constructed from the common targets. The results of enrichment analysis revealed that HRT2B, ADRA1A, ADRA1D, and CHRM2 could be the key targets of WCAP in IBS-D, and 11 signalling pathways, including the neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction, calcium signalling, and cAMP signalling pathways, were identified as crucial for the therapeutic activity of WCAP in IBS-D. We also identified the possibility of several interactions and crosstalk between the different pathways. Subsequent molecular biology experiments revealed that the expression levels of cAMP, phospho-(Ser/Thr) protein kinase A substrates (p -PKA), 5-hydroxytryptamine, and proteins in the cAMP signalling pathway, including G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR), adenylyl cyclase 5 (AC5), and cAMP-response element binding protein (CREB), were significantly upregulated in rat models of IBS-D following treatment with WCAP (P < 0.05). However, a reverse trend was observed in the expression of nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) (P < 0.05), which could be attributed to the low-grade inflammation that occurs in IBS-D. We demonstrated that WCAP may alleviate the symptoms of diarrhoea and visceral sensitivity in IBS-D by regulating the cAMP signalling pathway. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neuropathic pain, the incidence of which ranges from 5 to 8% in the general population, remains challenge in the treatment. Shaoyao Gancao decoction (SGD) is a Chinese classical formula used to relieve pain for thousands of years and has been applied for neuropathic pain nowadays. However, the effective components of SGD for the treatment of neuropathic pain remains unclear. To investigate the effect and potential mechanism of SGD against neuropathic pain and further reveal the effective components of SGD in the treatment of neuropathic pain. Spared nerve injury (SNI) model rats of neuropathic pain were orally given SGD to intervene, the components in vivo after SGD administration were determined, behavior indicators, biochemical parameters, and metabolomics were applied for assessing the efficacy. Then correlation between components and biomarkers was analyzed by pearson correlation method. To further measure the contribution of components to efficacy, the combination of partial least-squares regression (PLSR) and multi-index comprehensive method was carried out, according to the corresponding contribution degree of the results, the components with large contribution degree were considered as the effective components. SGD exhibited a significant regulatory effect on neuropathic pain, which could increase the pain threshold and decrease the levels of SP, β-EP, PGE2 and NO. With the high resolution of UPLC-Q-TOF/MS technology, a total of 128 compounds from SGD were identified and 44 of them were absorbed in blood. Besides, 40 serum biomarkers were identified after intervention of SGD and the metabolic pathways were constructed. The key metabolic pathways including Glycerophospholipid metabolism, Linoleic acid metabolism, Alpha-linolenic acid metabolism, Glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchor biosynthesis and Arachidonic acid metabolism may be related to the regulation of neuropathic pain. Metabolomics combined with PLSR and multi-index comprehensive method was utilized to discover 5 components including paeonol, DL-Arabinose, benzoic acid, hispaglabridin A and paeonilactone C as effective components of SGD in the treatment of neuropathic pain. This strategy was used to explore the effective components of SGD and elucidate its possible analgesic mechanism. This study demonstrate that SGD significantly relieved neuropathic pain and elucidated the effective components of SGD for treating neuropathic pain, the strategy as an illustrative case study can be applied to other classical formula and is beneficial to improve the quality and efficacy. Image 1 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coronary heart disease (CHD) is a chronic disease that seriously threatens people's health and even their lives. Currently, there is no ideal drug without side effects for the treatment of CHD. Trichosanthis Pericarpium (TP) has been used for several years in the treatment of diseases associated with CHD. However, there is still a need for systematic research to unravel the pharmacodynamic substances and possible mechanism of TP in the treatment of coronary heart. The purpose of current study was to explore the pharmacodynamic substances and potential mechanisms of TP in the treatment of CHD via integrating network pharmacology with plasma pharmacochemistry and experimental validation. The effect of TP intervention in CHD was firstly assessed on high-fat diet combined with isoprenaline-induced CHD rats and H 2 O 2 -induced H9c2 cells, respectively. Then, the LC-MS was utilized to identify the absorbed components of TP in the plasma of CHD rats, and this was used to develop a network pharmacology prediction to obtain the possible active components and mechanisms of action. Molecular docking and immunohistochemistry were used to explore the interaction between TP and key targets. Subsequently, the efficacy of the active ingredients was investigated by in vitro cellular experiments, and their metabolic pathways in CHD rats were further analyzed. The effects of TP on amelioration of CHD were verified by in vivo and in vitro experiments. Plasma pharmacochemistry and network pharmacology screened six active components in plasma including apigenin, phenylalanine, quercetin, linoleic acid, luteolin, and tangeretin. The interaction of these compounds with potential key targets AKT1, IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α and VEGFA were preliminarily verified by molecular docking. And immunohistochemical results showed that TP reduced the expression of AKT1, IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α and VEGFA in CHD rat hearts. Then cellular experiments confirmed that apigenin, phenylalanine, quercetin, linoleic acid, luteolin, and tangeretin were able to reduce the ROS level in H 2 O 2 -induced HUVEC cells and promote the migration and tubule formation of HUVEC cells, indicating the pharmacodynamic effects of the active components. Meanwhile, the metabolites of TP in CHD rats suggested that the pharmacological effects of TP might be the result of the combined effects of the active ingredients and their metabolites. Our study found that TP intervention in CHD is characterized by multi-component and multi-target regulation. Apigenin, phenylalanine, linoleic acid, quercetin, luteolin, and tangeretin are the main active components of TP. TP could reduce inflammatory response and endothelial damage by regulating AKT1, IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α and VEGFA, reduce ROS level to alleviate the oxidative stress situation and improve heart disease by promoting angiogenesis to regulate endothelial function. This study also provides an experimental and scientific basis for the clinical application and rational development of TP. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Qing Gan Zi Shen Decoction (QGZS) is a traditional Chinese formula. It has been extensively used for decades in the treatment of hypertension combined with metabolic diseases, but its cardioprotective effects and underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. To explore the cardioprotective effects and potential mechanisms of QGZS in an animal model of obese hypertension. In this study, spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) were utilized as an animal model to examine the effects of a high-fat diet and two concentrations of QGZS. Echocardiography, hematoxylin eosin (H&E) staining, and wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) staining were employed to assess the cardiac structure and function of the SHRs throughout a 16-week therapy period. Furthermore, Western blotting (WB) and immunofluorescence (IF) were employed to identify the levels of Nrf2 expression in the mitochondria, cytoplasm, and nucleus of the myocardium. Additionally, transmission electron microscopy and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) were utilized to measure mitochondrial morphology and pro-inflammatory cytokine levels, respectively. Furthermore, Western blotting (WB), immunohistochemistry (IHC), and immunofluorescence (IF) techniques were employed to quantify the levels of marker proteins associated with myocardial fibrosis, cardiac inflammation, oxidative stress, and mitochondrial dysfunction. QGZS inhibited weight gain and depressed systolic and mean arterial pressures in high-fat-fed SHRs. Echocardiographic results demonstrated that QGZS prevented the increase in left ventricular mass, restricted the growth of left ventricular diameter, and improved ejection fraction (EF), fractional shortening (FS), and the ratio of early diastolic peak velocity of transmitral flow (E) to late diastolic peak velocity (A) in high-fat-fed SHRs. This suggested that QGZS prevented ventricular remodeling and protected cardiac systolic and diastolic functions. H&E and WGA staining showed that QGZS improved cardiomyocyte disorders and restricted cardiomyocyte hypertrophy. The underlying mechanisms, QGZS attenuated the oxidative stress state, including reducing the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the myocardium, revitalizing the antioxidant enzyme system, and protecting mitochondrial function. Moreover, QGZS alleviated the pro-inflammatory state in high-fat-fed SHRs. What's more, QGZS significantly increased the expression level of Nrf2 in nuclei and mitochondria in rat heart tissues, exerting a proximate Nrf2 agonist effect. QGZS exerted cardioprotective effects, in part due to its increasing expression of Nrf2 protein in the heart, which promoted Nrf2 nuclear expression. [Display omitted] • In high-fat-induced obese SHRs, Qing Gan Zi Shen reversed ventricular remodeling and protected cardiac function. • In high-fat-induced obese SHRs, Qing Gan Zi Shen alleviated ventricular remodeling and myocardial fibrosis. • QGZS actived Nrf2 to play a role in reducing cardiac inflammation, inhibiting cardiac oxidative stress, and protecting mitochondrial function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Ethnopharmacological relevance Danggui buxue Decoction (DBD) has been frequently used to treat with blood deficiency, which consisted of Danggui (DG) and Huangqi (HQ) at a ratio of 1:5. Accumulating evidence showed that blood deficiency in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) was similar to anemia in modern medicine. Aim of the study The purpose of this study was to explore its therapeutic mechanism of with network pharmacology approach. Materials and methods We explored the chemical compounds of DBD and used compound ADME screening to identify the potential compounds. Targets for the therapeutic actions of DBD were obtained from the PharmMapper, Swiss, SEA and STITCH. GO analysis and pathway enrichment analysis was performed using the DAVID webserver. Cytoscape was used to visualize the compound-target-pathway network for DBD. The pharmacodynamics and crucial targets were also validated. Results Thirty-six potential active components in DBD and 49 targets which the active components acted on were identified. 47 KEGG pathways which DBD acted on were also come to light. And then, according to KEGG pathway annotation analysis, only 16 pathways seemed to be related to the blood nourishing effect of DBD, such as PI3K-AKT pathway, and so on. Only 32 targets participated in these 16 pathways and they were acted on by 29 of the 36 active compounds. Whole pharmacodynamic experiments showed that DBD had significant effects to blood loss rats. Furthermore, DBD could promote the up-regulation of hematopoietic and immune related targets and the down-regulation of inflammatory related targets. Significantly, with the results of effective rate, molecular docking and experimental validation, we predicted astragaloside IV in HQ, senkyunolide A and senkyunolide K in DG might be the major contributing compounds to DBD's blood enriching effect. Conclusion In this study, a systematical network pharmacology approach was built. Our results provided a basis for the future study of senkyunolide A and senkyunolide K as the blood enriching compounds in DBD. Furthermore, combined network pharmacology with validation experimental results, the nourishing blood effect of DBD might be manifested by the dual mechanism of enhancing immunity and promoting hematopoiesis. Graphical abstract fx1 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rhei Radix et Rhizoma (rhubarb), as the preferred representative of cathartic drugs of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), has a long history of medicinal use and multifarious functions that produce a wide range of dosage. In modern times, rhubarb and its prescriptions are not only used to treat common clinical diseases, but also achieve good results in the treatment of acute, dangerous, severe and difficult diseases. However, rhubarb also has an alias called "General", which means that its efficacy is relatively rapid. The present study was conducted to simultaneously elucidate dosage-effect relationship of rhubarb of different efficacy, "Removing accumulation with purgation" (E1) and "Clearing heat and purging fire" (E2), providing reference for the safe and effective usage of rhubarb. Three-week-old rats were randomly divided into the normal control group (Con.), model group (Mod.) and rhubarb groups with six doses (0.135, 0.27, 0.81, 1.35, 4.05, 8.1 g/kg). We established a constipation model with gastrointestinal accumulated heat induced by dyspepsia, taking defecation characteristics observed by metabolic cages, alvine pushing rate, gastrointestinal hormones in serum, etc. , as indicators of E1, and taking TG, Na+-K+-ATPase, inflammatory factors and proteins, etc. , as indicators of E2. The factor analytic approach was used to systematically evaluate the two effects and analyze the corresponding dosage-effect relationship. The levels of Gas, AchE, TG, Na+-K+-ATPase, TNF-α, IL-1β, (p-)NF-κB p65, (p-)p38, (p-)ERK and p-JNK in model rats increased significantly while the levels of defecation, fecal water content, MTL, SS, ET, NTS, VIP, JNK and TLR4 decreased. Compared with the Mod., in rhubarb groups, the increase of faeces, alvine pushing rate, most gastrointestinal hormones, etc. , reflected the therapeutic efficacy of E1, and the reduction of TG, Na+-K+-ATPase, expression levels of inflammatory indexes, etc. , reflected the impact of E2. After the analysis, the effective threshold dose ranging from 0.67 to 5.37 g/kg (corresponding to 7.44–59.67 g in the clinic) was in the EC 20 -EC 80 range for E1 treatment and from 0.78 to 5.60 g/kg (equivalently clinical 8.67–62.22 g) was for E2 treatment. And the 1.6- and 1.2-fold rhubarb highest dose of Chinese Pharmacopoeia might be the optimal doses for E1 and E2 respectively. In general, however, the concentration of rhubarb liquid for overall efficacy is suggested to be between middle and highest dose of Chinese Pharmacopoeia. A constipation model was used to elucidate two main effects of rhubarb, which was consistent with the characteristics of TCM syndrome. In the wide range of rhubarb dosage, low doses might have little or no effect and although high concentrations of rhubarb liquid enhanced curative efficacy, it would also have certain side effects on the body. Therefore, scientific-based experiments and rational analysis by mathematical models could contribute to the safe and effective application of rhubarb in the clinic. Image 1 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Qixue Shuangbu Prescription (QSP) is a classical traditional Chinese medicine prescription, which has widely used for the treatment of chronic heart failure (CHF). Preliminary clinical studies have shown that the efficacy of processed QSP (P-QSP) in treating CHF is greater than crude QSP (C-QSP). However, the pharmacokinetic characteristics of its major bioactive components under pathological conditions are unclear. This study aims to compare pharmacokinetics of seven bioactive components after oral administration of C-QSP and P-QSP in CHF model rats. Ginsenoside Rb1, ginsenoside Re, ginsenoside Rg1, ferulic acid, astragaloside IV, calycosin-7-O-β-D-glucoside, and paeoniflorin in QSP were used as the target components. CHF model in rats was induced by the intraperitoneal injection of doxorubicin. A microdialysis combined with UPLC-MS/MS method was first established to compare the pharmacokinetics of seven major bioactive components in CHF model rats after oral administration of C-QSP and P-QSP. This method was successfully applied to the pharmacokinetic investigation of seven major components of C-QSP and P-QSP following oral administration in CHF model rats. Compared with the C-QSP group, the C max , AUC 0-t and AUC 0−∞ of ginsenoside Rb1, ginsenoside Re, ginsenoside Rg1, ferulic acid, astragaloside IV and paeoniflorin significantly increased (P < 0.05) in the P-QSP group, which suggested that the absorptivity and bioavailability were increased. Lower T 1/2 , MRT 0−t of ginsenoside Rb1, gerulic acid and higher T 1/2 , MRT 0−t of ginsenoside Rb1, astragaloside IV, paeoniflorin in the P-QSP group, which indicated that eliminated more quickly or slowly, respectively. The pharmacokinetic parameters of bioactive components were significantly changed for better bioavailability and absorption, longer lasting time elimination, which were beneficial for enhancing therapeutic efficacy in the P-QSP group. This study will provide a new perspective to explain the pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic correlation of P-QSP on the treatment of CHF. [Display omitted] • A microdialysis combined with UPLC-MS/MS method was applied to study the pharmacokinetic characteristics of QSP. • The pharmacokinetic profiles of seven bioactive components after oral administration of QSP in CHF model rats. • Pharmacokinetic parameters would provide data support for the clinical application of processed QSP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Guizhi Fuling Capsule (GFC) is a famous traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formula recorded in Synopsis of the Golden Chamber, which has achieved obvious effects in the treatment of uterine fibroids (UFs). Mediator complex subunit 12 (Med12) mutations were closely related to UFs in 85% of fibroid cases. The Wnt/β-Catenin signaling pathway plays an important role in the occurrence and development of UFs. This study aims to explore the pharmacological mechanism of GFC against UFs in which the Med12-mediated Wnt/β-Catenin pathway is involved. Med12 was silenced in uterine fibroid cells (UFCs) using a lentivirus-based Med12 gene-specific RNA interference (RNAi) strategy. Cell proliferation was performed by CCK-8 assay, cell apoptosis and cell cycle were measured by flow cytometry. The rat model of UFs was established by injecting estradiol benzoate and progesterone. Forty-eight rats were divided into six groups, the low-dose GFC (L-GFC) group, the medium-dose GFC (M-GFC) group and the high-dose GFC (H-GFC) group were intragastrically treated with GFC solution at 0.25 g/kg, 0.50 g/kg and 1.00 g/kg per day for 8 weeks, the positive control (PC) group was administrated with mifepristone (2.70 mg/kg/day), the normal control (NC) group and the model control (MC) group were given equal volume of normal saline once a day for 8 weeks. The histopathological changes of uterine tissues were evaluated by H&E staining. The expression of Med12 in uterine tissues were detected by immunohistochemistry. The protein and mRNA levels of associated genes were evaluated by western bolt and real time-PCR, respectively. Related indicators involved in Wnt/β-Catenin pathway, such as Wnt1, β-Catenin, Cyclin D1, TCF1/TCF7 and C-myc, were compared among different groups. The Wnt/β-Catenin signaling pathway was inhibited after Med12 gene was knocked out in UFCs. GFC-containing serum could induce cell apoptosis, make the cell cycle stagnated in G0/G1 phase to inhibiting the proliferation and reduce the expression of Wnt1, β-Catenin, Cyclin D1, TCF1/TCF7, and C-myc in control-shRNA cells, while had no significant effect on Med12-shRNA cells. Compared with the MC group, the weight, endometrial thickness, and pathological structure of the uterus in the GFC treated groups were significantly improved. The expression of Med12, Wnt1, β-Catenin, Cyclin D1, TCF1/TCF7, and C-myc that related to Wnt/β-Catenin pathway in the GFC treated groups were decreased with the increase of dosage administration. GFC inhibited UFs growth, which was directly associated with Med12 modulated Wnt/β-Catenin signaling pathway. This study provided new perspective to understand the therapeutic mechanism of UFs. [Display omitted] • Guizhi Fuling Capsule (GFC) inhibited the proliferation of uterine fibroid cells by disrupting the normal Med12 expression. • GFC induced apoptosis and made the cell cycle stagnated in G0/G1 phase of uterine fibroid cells. • GFC improved the weight, endometrial thickness, and pathological structure of the uterus in uterine fibroids model rats. • GFC regulated the Med12-mediated Wnt/β-Catenin pathway to treating uterine fibroids in model rats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is an interstitial lung disease with unknown etiology. Oxytropis falcata Bunge (O. falcata) is a 1–35 cm high perennial clustered herb, also known as edaxia, has viscosity and a special smell, and is mainly distributed in the western areas of China. The root of O. falcata has a diameter of 6 mm, is straight and deep, dark red and its stems are shortened, woody and multibranched. O. falcata has heat-clearing, detoxification, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, hemostatic and antitumor activities. Furthermore, O. falcata has excellent anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects, and it is one of the three major anti-inflammatory drugs in Tibetan medicine, known as "the king of herbs". Total flavonoids of Oxytropis falcata Bunge (FOFB) were previously extracted, and their pharmacological activities are consistent with those of the whole herb. In this study, FOFB was extracted from O. falcata by ethanol extraction, and the mechanism of FOFB on IPF was verified by in vivo and in vitro experiments. In this study, we aimed to observe the effects of FOFB on idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. In in vivo experiments, an IPF rat model was established by bleomycin induction. The rats were treated with FOFB (100, 200, 400 mg kg−1·d−1) for 4 weeks. Masson staining and the expression of TGF-β, p-Smad2, p-Smad3 and Smad7 in the lung tissue of rats were detected. In in vitro experiments, we perfused normal rats with FOFB (100, 200, 400 mg kg−1·d−1) and obtained the corresponding drug-containing serum. The HFL-1 cell model induced by TGF-β1 was used to detect the corresponding indices through intervention with drug-containing serum. The best intervention time for drug-containing serum was detected by the CCK-8 method. Changes in apoptosis, cytoskeleton and rough endoplasmic reticulum structure were detected. Finally, the expression of TGF-β, p-Smad2, p-Smad3 and Smad7 in cells was examined. In vivo, Masson staining indicated that the degree of pulmonary fibrosis increased significantly, the expression of TGF-β, p-smad2 and p-Smad3 increased significantly, and the expression of Smad7 decreased in the model group. We found that the degree of pulmonary fibrosis gradually decreased and that the inhibition of the TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway became more obvious with increasing FOFB dose. FOFB (400 mg kg−1·d−1) significantly improved the degree of pulmonary fibrosis in rats. In in vitro experiments, the CCK-8 results showed that 120 h was the best intervention time for drug-containing serum. In the model group, there was no obvious apoptosis or changes in microfilaments and microtubules, the number of rough endoplasmic reticulum increased, and the expression of TGF-β, p-Smad2 and p-Smad3 increased significantly, while the expression of Smad7 decreased significantly. We found that with the increase in drug-containing serum concentration, the apoptosis, cytoskeleton and degree of destruction of the rough endoplasmic reticulum in the HFL-1 cell model also increased, and the inhibition of the TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway became more pronounced; the effect of the drug-containing serum administered with FOFB (400 mg kg−1·d−1) was the most significant. The results suggest that FOFB can improve the occurrence and development of IPF. The effect of FOFB on IPF may be mediated by inhibition of the TGF-β1/Smad signaling pathway. [Display omitted] • FOFB has good anti-inflammatory, anti-fibrosis and anti-tumor effects. • Pirfenidone and Nintedanib treat IPF with high side effects. • FOFB might improve the symptoms of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is an interstitial lung disease with unknown etiology. O. falcata has heat-clearing, detoxification, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, hemostatic and antitumor activities. Furthermore, O. falcata has excellent anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects, and it is one of the three major anti-inflammatory drugs in Tibetan medicine, known as "the king of herbs". Total flavonoids of Oxytropis falcata Bunge (FOFB) were previously extracted, and their pharmacological activities are consistent with those of the whole herb. In this study, FOFB was extracted from O. falcata by ethanol extraction, and the mechanism of FOFB on IPF was verified by in vivo and in vitro experiments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nigella glandulifera Freyn et Sint. (N. glandulifera) seeds are widely used in traditional Uyghur medicine for a variety of immuno-inflammatory diseases. The total saponins from N. glandulifera seeds (TSNGS) have been shown to have analgesic, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory effects that can alleviate joint pain and swelling. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic and progressive, debilitating autoimmune disease for which current treatments are not sufficiently effective and result in unsatisfactory side effects. This study aimed to mechanistically investigate the therapeutic effects of TSNGS on RA. Qualitative analysis of TSNGS was performed using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-Q-Orbitrap-high-resolution mass spectrometry. Rats with collagen-induced arthritis (CIA), IL-1β-induced HFLS-RAs, and VEGF-induced HUVECs were analyzed to determine the efficacy and mechanism of TSNGS on RA. Twenty-one compounds were identified in TSNGS. TSNGS (10, 50, or 250 mg/kg) reduced the severity of arthritis, indicated by a lower arthritis score, reduced paw swelling, and body weight in rats with CIA. TSNGS ameliorated histopathological changes involving inflammatory infiltration, bone degeneration, and angiogenesis in knee and ankle joints. TSNGS improved the immuno-inflammatory response by restoring the levels of the cytokines IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-17A, IL-4, and IL-10, and increasing the number of CD4+CD25+ Tregs in the peripheral circulation and Foxp3 levels in knee joints in rats with CIA. Furthermore, TSNGS increased the OPG/RANKL ratio and downregulated p-p65 in serum and joint synovia. Inhibition of angiogenesis by TSNGS was associated with recovery of the angiogenesis-related Ang/Tie-2 signaling pathway. It was established that TSNGS provides a therapeutic effect on RA by alleviating synovitis, bone degeneration, and angiogenesis via the OPG/RANKL/NF-κB and Ang/Tie-2 pathways and may be used for the treatment of RA. [Display omitted] • TSNGS may have potential as a novel treatment for RA. • TSNGS decreased the severity of arthritis in rats with CIA. • TSNGS reduced synovitis associated with RA via OPG/RANKL/NF-κB pathway. • TSNGS alleviated angiogenesis related to RA via Ang/Tie-2 signaling. • TSNGS upregulated the level of CD4+CD25+ Tregs and Foxp3 in rats with CIA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Ethnopharmacological relevance: Dragon''s Blood from Dracaena cochinchinensis (Lour.) S.C. Chen (Yunnan, China), as a traditional Chinese medicinal herb, was shown to have certain antithrombotic effects. A new preparation process was used to extract effective components from Dragon''s Blood. A 95% ethanol extract A (EA) and a precipitate B (PB) fraction were obtained and compared. Reliability of the preparation process was validated by pharmacodynamic experiments. Materials and methods: A rat/mouse thrombosis and blood stasis model was developed for this study, and EA and PB effects on thrombosis, platelet functions and blood coagulation activities were analyzed. Results: It was observed that the EA fraction had significantly better inhibitory effects than the PB fraction on thrombosis (p <0.05), platelet aggregation function (p <0.01) and anticoagulation activity (p <0.05–0.01). Conclusions: The results obtained here showed that EA fraction from Dragon''s Blood contained pharmacologically effective compounds with antithrombotic effects, partially improving platelet function and anticoagulation activity. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Danggui Buxue Decoction (DBD), as a classical Chinese medicine prescription, is composed of Danggui (DG) and Huangqi (HQ) at a ratio of 1:5, and it has been used clinically in treating anemia for hundreds of years. The aim of this study was to explore the treatment mechanisms of DBD in anemia rats from the perspective of thymus and spleen. In this study, a successful hemorrhagic anemia model was established, and metabolomics (UPLC-QTOF-MS/MS) and proteomics (label-free approach) together with bioinformatics (Gene Ontology analysis and Reactome pathway enrichment), correlation analysis (pearson correlation matrix) and joint pathway analysis (MetaboAnalyst) were employed to discover the underlying mechanisms of DBD. DBD had a significant blood enrichment effect on hemorrhagic anemia rats. Metabolomics and proteomics results showed that DBD regulated a total of 10 metabolites (lysophosphatidylcholines, etc.) and 41 proteins (myeloperoxidase, etc.) in thymus, and 9 metabolites (L-methionine, etc.) and 24 proteins (transferrin, etc.) in spleen. With GO analysis and Reactome pathway enrichment, DBD mainly improved anti-oxidative stress ability of thymocyte and accelerated oxidative phosphorylation to provide ATP for splenocyte. Phenotype key indexes were strongly and positively associated with most of the differential proteins and metabolites, especially nucleosides, amino acids, Fabp4, Decr1 and Ndufs3. 14 pathways in thymus and 9 pathways in spleen were obtained through joint pathway analysis, in addition, the most influential pathway in thymus was arachidonic acid metabolism, while in spleen was the biosynthesis of phenylalanine, tyrosine and tryptophan. Furthermore, DBD was validated to up-regulate Mpo, Hbb and Cp levels and down-regulate Ca2+ level in thymus, as well as up-regulate Fabp4, Ndufs3, Tf, Decr1 and ATP levels in spleen. DBD might enhance thymus function mainly by reducing excessive lipid metabolism and intracellular Ca2+ level, and promote ATP production in spleen to provide energy. Image 1 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herb pair, the most fundamental and simplest form of herb compatibility, serves as the basic building block of traditional Chinese medicine formulae. The Danshen–Honghua herb pair (DH), composed of Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma (Danshen in Chinese) and Carthami Flos (Honghua in Chinese), has remarkable clinical efficacy to cure cardio-cerebrovascular diseases. This study was designed to investigate the pharmacodynamics of DH in comparison with single herbs and pharmacokinetics of DH relative to Danshen in acute myocardial ischemic injury. Sixty male Wistar rats were divided into control, model and drug treated groups. The acute myocardial ischemia rat model was induced by administering 85 mg/kg/d isoproterenol (ISO) subcutaneously for two consecutive days. For pharmacodynamic study, histopathological and biochemical analysis were performed to assess the anti-myocardial ischemic effects. While for pharmacokinetic study, a UPLC–MS/MS method was developed for determination of nine main active ingredients, namely danshensu, protocatechuic acid, protocatechualdehyde, caffeic acid, lithospermic acid, rosmarinic acid, salvianolic acid B, salvianolic acid A and salvianolic acid C in rat plasma. The histopathological and biochemical analysis revealed that DH exerted enhanced anti-myocardial ischemic effects against the ISO-induced myocardial ischemia compared with single herbs. The pharmacokinetic study indicated that DH could significantly increase the t 1/2z of danshensu, T max , AUC 0-∞ and MRT 0-t of protocatechuic acid in comparison with Danshen alone in normal rats, but more importantly elevate systemic exposure level and prolong t 1/2z of protocatechualdehyde, caffeic acid, T max of danshensu in acute myocardial ischemia rats. Our findings demonstrated the greater effects of DH after the compatibility in ISO-induced acute myocardial ischemia rats at pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic levels and provided valuable information for clinical application of herb pairs. Image 1 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]