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Huanglian Wendan Decoction (HWD) is a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) prescribed to patients diagnosed with insomnia, which can achieve excellent therapeutic outcomes. As positively modulating the γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) type A receptors (GABAARs) is the most effective strategy to manage insomnia, this study aimed to investigate whether the activation of GABAARs is involved in the anti-insomnia effect of HWD. We assessed the metabolites of HWD using LC/ MS and the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology (TCMSP) database and tested the pharmacological activity in vitro and in vivo using whole-cell patch clamp and insomnia zebrafish model. In HEK293 cells expressing α1β3γ2L GABAARs, HWD effectively increased the GABA-induced currents and could induce GABAAR-mediated currents independent of the application of GABA. In the LC-MS (QToF) assay, 31 metabolites were discovered in negative ion modes and 37 metabolites were found in positive ion modes, but neither three selected active metabolites, Danshensu, Coptisine, or Dihydromyricetin, showed potentiating effects on GABA currents. 62 active metabolites of the seven botanical drugs were collected based on the TCMSP database and 19 of them were selected for patch-clamp verification according to the virtual docking simulations and other parameters. At a concentration of 100 μM, GABA-induced currents were increased by (+)-Cuparene (278.80% ± 19.13%), Ethyl glucoside (225.40% ± 21.77%), and β-Caryophyllene (290.11% ± 17.71%). In addition, (+)-Cuparene, Ethyl glucoside, and β-Caryophyllene could also serve as positive allosteric modulators (PAMs) and shifted the GABA doseresponse curve (DRC) leftward significantly. In the PCPA-induced zebrafish model, Ethyl glucoside showed anti-insomnia effects at concentrations of 100 μM. In this research, we demonstrated that the activation of GABAARs was involved in the anti-insomnia effect of HWD, and Ethyl glucoside might be a key metabolite in treating insomnia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper comprehensively reviews the research progress on the pharmacological effects of Ardisia gigantifolia Stapf in recent years, and finds that Ardisia gigantifolia Stapf has good pharmacological effects in many aspects, including anti-inflammation, anti-oxidation, anti-thrombosis, anti-tumor and so on. In particular, more than ten saponins have been found to have good anti-tumor activity and have potential research value, which can provide reference for the full development and utilization of Ardisia gigantifolia Stapf resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, with the modern development of traditional medicine, the research on the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease and bowel cancer is increasingly deep. This paper reviews the pharmacological research progress of flavonoids, alkaloids, polyphenols, polysaccharides, steroids and saponins in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease and canceration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Objectives] To explore the mechanism of Pinelliae Rhizoma in the treatment of insomnia. [Methods] Using the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology (TCMSP) database, the effective components of Pinelliae Rhizoma were explored, to predict its targets, and screen out the targets of insomnia through GeneCards, OMIM and other databases. With the aid of Cytoscape software, a "component-target-pathway-disease" network for the treatment of insomnia by Pinelliae Rhizoma was built. Then, a target protein-related interaction network was created through the String database, and biological function annotation and pathway analysis of key targets were performed. [Results] The 13 active components of Pinelliae Rhizoma take action in the treatment of insomnia by intervening 33 targets, 59 GO biological processes, and 10 main biological pathways. [Conclusions] The active components of Pinelliae Rhizoma may treat insomnia by such pharmacological effect as regulating G protein-coupled amine receptor activity, adrenergic receptor activity, catecholamine binding, and neurotransmiter receptor activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phyllanthi Urinariae Herba is dry grass of Phyllanthus urinaria, and has the effects of calming liver, clearing heat, diuresis and detoxification in traditional Chinese medicine. Studies have shown that the effects of anti-hepatitis B virus, hepatoprotective, anti-tumor, anti- pathogenic microorganism, anti-oxidation, and anti-thrombosis were good and worthy of further research and development. The research progress on the pharmacological effects of P. urinaria was reviewed in order to provide a reference for the rational development of this product. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Objective] To explore inhibiting effect of 12 heat-clearing and detoxicating drugs originated in Guangdong on the expression of EBV viral capsid antigen in cells in vitro and the cytotoxic effect of which on B95-8 cell. [Methods] Study the inhibiting effect of 12 traditional Chinese medicines on the expression of capsid antigen in B95-8 cell by indirect immunoenzyme technique Observe the cytotoxic effect of tradition- al Chinese medicines on B95-8 cell cultured under stimulating circumstances by trypan blue exclusion test. [Results] The expression of VCA in B95-8 cells cultured under stimulating circumstances could be significantly inhibited by 12 heat-clearing and detoxicating drugs originated in Guangdong. Most of the medicines were dose-dependent. The dose of corresponding drug increased 1000 times, the 12 traditional Chinese medicines had significant cytotoxic effect on B95-8 cells and their effects were concentration-dependent. [Conclusions] The inhibiting effect of 12 heat-clearing and detoxicating drugs originated in Guangdong on the expression of EBV viral capsid antigen was significant and with high concentrations, they all had cytotoxic effect on B95-8cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]