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The roots and rhizomes of Bergenia purpurascens (Hook. f. et Thomson) Engl. , was used as a sunscreen to protect against ultraviolet rays in Tibet of China historically, but its skin whitening constituents and pharmacological effects of this plant remained unknown. To investigate the anti-melanogenesis effect of B. purpurascens in vitro and in vivo , and then explore the preliminary mechanism. An ultraviolet B (UVB)-induced skin injury model of mice was used to verify the ameliorative effect of B. purpurascens extract (BPE) on ultraviolet damage. Then, alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone (α-MSH)-induced murine melanoma cell line (B16F10) melanin generation model was further adopted to approval the effects of BPE and its bioactive compound, cuscutin, in vitro. Moreover, α-MSH stimulated melanogenesis model in zebrafish was employed to confirm the anti-pigmentation effect of cuscutin. Then, proteins expressions associated with melanin production were observed using western blotting assay to explore preliminary mechanism. BPE inhibited UVB-induced mice injury and restored skin barrier function observably in vivo. BPE and cuscutin suppressed the overproduction of melanin in α-MSH induced B16F10 significantly, in which cuscutin exhibited better effect than well-known whitening agent α-arbutin at same 10 μg/mL concentration. Moreover, the pigmentation of zebrafish embryo was decreased by cuscutin. Finally, cuscutin showed significant downregulation of expressions of tyrosinase (TYR) and tyrosinase related protein-1 (TRP-1), TRP-2 and microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF) in the melanogenic signaling pathway. B. purpurascens extract and its major bioactive constituent, cuscutin, showed potent anti-melanogenesis and skin-whitening effect by targeting TYR and TRP-2 proteins for the first time, which supported its traditional use. [Display omitted] • B. purpurascens could effectively treat skin damage induced by UVB and inhibit the generation of melanin. • Cuscutin is responsible for the effect through inhibiting the expressions of tyrosinase and tyrosinase-related protein 2. • B. purpurascens , as a source of new natural ingredient for skincare, presented the whitening potential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Kai-Xin-San (KXS, or Happy Feeling Powder), a typical Chinese herbal prescription, is frequently used for treating depression by the multi-level and multi-target mechanism. To systematically investigate the efficacy and safety of KXS on depression in preclinic trials. We independently searched for preclinical animal studies of KXS on depression from inception to June 28, 2022, using electronic databases, e.g., PUBMED. The measurements were performed to assess the outcomes of behavioral tests. This systematic review and meta-analysis included twenty-four studies and 608 animals. A remarkable effect of KXS in depression behavioral tests, including sucrose consumption test (SMD: 2.36, 95% CI: (1.81, 2.90); Z = 8.49, P < 0.00001)., forced swimming test (MD = -60.52, 95% CI: (-89.04, -31.99); Z = 4.16, P < 0.0001), rearing times (MD=4.48, 95% CI: (3.39, 5.57); Z = 8.05, P < 0.00001) and crossing times (MD = -33.7, 95% CI: (25.74, 41.67); Z = 8.29, P < 0.00001) in the open field test, showing KXS's excellent efficiency in improving depressive-like symptoms of animals. Our meta-analysis showed KXS remarkably relieved animals' depressive-like symptoms, providing evidence that KXS can be a promising drug candidate for depression treatment. [Display omitted] • Kai-Xin-San is a traditional Chinese medicine for treating depression widely. • This meta-ananysis assessed the efficacy and safty of Kai-Xin-San for depression. • Kai-Xin-San remarkably improved rodents's depressive symptoms in the behavior tests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ethnopharmacological relevance Da-Bu-Yin-Wan (DBYW), a historically traditional Chinese medicine formula, was originally defined over 600 years ago. In recent decades, DBYW was clinically employed to treat Parkinson's disease (PD). Aim of the study To explore the underlying mechanism of DBYW on mitochondrial function, we investigated the effect of DBYW on mitochondrial function from the perspectives of DJ-1 and Akt signaling. Materials and methods Human derived neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells were transiently transfected with the plasmid pcDNA3-Flag-DJ-1 aimed to overexpress the DJ-1 protein. Transfected cells were treated with 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP + ), a PD-related mitochondrial complex I inhibitor, in the absence and presence of DBYW. The cell viability was assessed by Cell Counting Kit-8 assay. The protein expressions of DJ-1 and Akt signaling were examined by western blotting. The mitochondrial mass was evaluated by confocal fluorescence microscopy. The mitochondrial complex I activity and cellular ATP content were measured by commercial kits. Results Transfection with pcDNA3-Flag-DJ-1 decreased the MPP + -induced toxicity and overexpressed the DJ-1. In DJ-1 overexpressed cells, the mitochondrial mass was raised, mitochondrial complex I activity was improved, and cellular ATP content was increased. In addition, overexpression of DJ-1 augmented the Akt phosphorylation on threonine 308 and serine 473. Moreover, DBYW promoted the above effects in DJ-1 expressed cells. Conclusions These data suggest that DJ-1 protects the mitochondrial function by medicating Akt phosphorylation in MPP + -treated SH-SY5Y cells. Moreover, DBYW enhances the protective effect of DJ-1 medicated Akt phosphorylation on mitochondrial function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Ethnopharmacological relevance: Da-Bu-Yin-Wan (DBYW) and Qian-Zheng-San (QZS), two traditional Chinese herbal formulas, were clinically employed to treat Parkinson''s disease (PD) for decades. Aim of the study: Our previous studies demonstrated neuroprotective effects of DBYW and QZS on mitochondrial function in mice model of PD induced by 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP). In present research, we aimed to investigate the possible neuroprotective mechanisms of DBYW and QZS. Materials and methods: The effects of DBYW and QZS on the behavioral changes (pole test), expression of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) of substantia nigra by immunohistochemistry, monoaminergic contents and activity of striatum by high performance liquid chromatography, neuronal ultrastructure changes by transmission electron microscopy, mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) damage by long-extension polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and mRNA expression of mitochondrial subunit NADH dehydrogenase 1(ND1) by qualitative real-time PCR were investigated. Results: Present study demonstrated that DBYW and QZS not only ameliorated the behavior induced by the administration of MPTP and synergistically prevented the decreasing of TH expression, but also increased monoaminergic contents and activity, improved the ultrastructural changes, decreased the mtDNA damage, and synergistically up-regulated the expression of ND1 in mRNA level. Conclusions: These results suggest that DBYW and QZS possess anti-parkinsonism and neuroprotective properties. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]