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Objective The aim of this study was to identify the active anti-ischemic components of Pterocypsela elata (P. elata) using a network pharmacology approach to construct an effective component anti-cerebral ischemic target network and systematically analyze this medicinal material. Methods Pharmacological studies have shown that P. elata has an obvious effect against cerebral ischemia. To identify the potential targets, 14 components of P. elata were docked to each structural element of the targets in the DRAR-CPI database by reverse docking technology. We then compared the identified potential targets with FDA-approved targets for stroke/cerebral infarction treatment in the DrugBank database and identified the active components of P. elata and their potential targets for stroke/cerebral infarction treatment. The active component-target networks were constructed using Cytoscape 3.5.1 software. The target protein-protein interactions were analyzed using the STRING database. KEGG pathway analysis and gene ontology (GO) enrichment analysis were performed through the Database for Annotation, Visualization and Integrated Discovery (DAVID). Results There were 14 active components identified from P. elata and 21 potential targets identified for cerebral ischemia treatment, including carbonic anhydrase 2, ribosyldihydronicotinamide dehydrogenase, cholinesterase, and glutathione S-transferase P. The main involved pathways include metabolic pathways, complement and coagulation cascades and steroid hormone biosynthesis. Conclusion Through a network pharmacology approach, we predicted the active components of P. elata and their potential targets for cerebral ischemia treatment. Our results provide new perspectives and clues for further studies on the anti-cerebral ischemia mechanism of P. elata.

Bingxuan Niu,1 Hui Zhang,1 Chunyan Li,2 Fulin Yan,1,2 Yu Song,1 Guangfan Hai,1 Yunjuan Jiao,3 Yansheng Feng31College of Pharmacy, Xinxiang Medical University, Xingxiang, Henan Province 453003, People’s Republic of China; 2Sanquan College of Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan Province 453002, People’s Republic of China; 3Basic Medical College, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan Province 453003, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Fulin YanCollege of Pharmacy, Xinxiang Medical University, 601 Jinsui Avenue, Hongqi District, Xingxiang, Henan Province 453003, People’s Republic of ChinaTel +1 378 251 3326Email yannz2009@163.comObjective: The aim of this study was to identify the active anti-ischemic components of Pterocypsela elata (P. elata) using a network pharmacology approach to construct an effective component anti-cerebral ischemic target network and systematically analyze this medicinal material.Methods: Pharmacological studies have shown that P. elata has an obvious effect against cerebral ischemia. To identify the potential targets, 14 components of P. elata were docked to each structural element of the targets in the DRAR-CPI database by reverse docking technology. We then compared the identified potential targets with FDA-approved targets for stroke/cerebral infarction treatment in the DrugBank database and identified the active components of P. elata and their potential targets for stroke/cerebral infarction treatment. The active component-target networks were constructed using Cytoscape 3.5.1 software. The target protein-protein interactions were analyzed using the STRING database. KEGG pathway analysis and gene ontology (GO) enrichment analysis were performed through the Database for Annotation, Visualization and Integrated Discovery (DAVID).Results: There were 14 active components identified from P. elata and 21 potential targets identified for cerebral ischemia treatment, including carbonic anhydrase 2, ribosyldihydronicotinamide dehydrogenase, cholinesterase, and glutathione S-transferase P. The main involved pathways include metabolic pathways, complement and coagulation cascades and steroid hormone biosynthesis.Conclusion: Through a network pharmacology approach, we predicted the active components of P. elata and their potential targets for cerebral ischemia treatment. Our results provide new perspectives and clues for further studies on the anti-cerebral ischemia mechanism of P. elata.Keywords: network pharmacology, Pterocypsela elata, cerebral ischemia, molecular docking

Depressed patients present with increased cortisol levels and attenuated immune responses. However, little is known about the association between depression and the spleen, as this is the largest peripheral immune organ. In this study, we examined alterations in splenic function and gene expression in mice with depressive-like behavior, well as the expression of certain proteins in related pathways. A mouse model of depression was established with the use of corticosterone. Splenic function and histopathology were assessed using Wright and H&E staining. The Agilent Whole Mouse Genome Oligo Microarray containing >41,174 transcript probes was used to measure the levels of gene-expression in the spleens from control and model mice, and the levels of certain proteins associated with depression were measured by western blot analysis in the brain and spleen separately. We found that splenic function and immunity in the mice with depressive-like behavior were markedly impaired. A total of 53 genes exhibited a differential response in the mice with depressive-like behavior, 11 of which were more notable, including collagen, type VI, α5 (Col6a5), immunoglobulin superfamily, member 11 (Igsf11), D site albumin promoter binding protein (Dbp), tachykinin 2 (Tac2) and γ-aminobutyric acid B receptor 2 (Gabbr2). Pathway analysis revealed that the amino acid biosynthesis and the clock gene pathways were more meaningful among these genes. The levels of GABBR2, DBP and substance P (SP; encoded by the Tac2 gene) related proteins in the brain were markedly downregulated, and similar results were observed in the spleen. The anti-depressant, fluoxetine, reversed the changes in the levels of these proteins. The findings of our study regarding changes occurring in the spleen during depression may indirectly elucidate and shed light into the pathogenesis of depression and depressive-like behavior.

Glaucocalyxin H (GLH) is a new compound isolated from a traditional Chinese medical herb Isodon japonica var. glaucocalyx which has been used for folk medicine. This study was carried out for the first time to investigate the potential role of GLH in anti-hepatoma activity and underlying mechanisms in it. GLH could inhibit the growth of tumor in mice and induce HepG2 cells to death as assessed by the tumor reduction assay, toxic assay, morphological change, and survival rate assay. Many antitumor drugs originated from plants could inhibit the growth of tumor by inducing cells to apoptosis. The morphological changes of HepG2 cells treated with different concentrations of GLH under fluorescence and electron microscope and apoptotic rates were detected to verify its effect on apoptosis. As shown in the study, GLH could induce HepG2 cells to apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner. Bcl2 and Bax proteins played important roles in apoptosis and the disequilibrium between Bcl2 and Bax might result in apoptosis. The expression of Bax protein was upregulated and Bcl2 protein was downregulated in HepG2 cells treated with GLH assessed by Western blotting, and they were in a dose-dependent manner. Taken together, GLH can inhibit the growth of hepatoma cells in vivo and in vitro by inducing cell apoptosis due to the decreased Bcl2 and increased Bax proteins suggesting that GLH could be a potential candidate as an anti-hepatoma agent for the therapeutic treatment of hepatoma.

Three new ENT-kaurane diterpenoids, glaucocalyxin H ( 1), glaucocalyxin I ( 2), and glaucocalyxin J ( 3), together with four known diterpenoids ( 4- 7), were isolated from the leaves of Isodon japonica Hara var. glaucocalyx. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic analysis, and the structures of compounds 2 and 3 were further confirmed by X-ray crystallographic analysis. Compounds 1, 4, and 5 were evaluated for their cytotoxicity IN VITRO against CE-1, U87, A-549, MCF-7, Hela, K-562, and HepG-2 human tumor cell lines. Compound 1 showed potent inhibitory activities against six tumor cell lines with IC (50) values ranging from 1.86-10.95 µM, and compounds 4 and 5 exhibited significant selective cytotoxicity on seven tumor cell lines.