Search

Aim: : To investigate the analgesic effects of mangiferin (MAF) in experimental neuropathic pain (NPP) models and underlying mechanism. Methods: : Databases including Pubmed, Web of Science, Embase, Cochrane Library, China national knowledge infrastructure (CNKI), Wangfang, and Weipu were used to search for the related studies. The search terms such as MAF, NPP, meta-analysis, rat, and mouse were used in various scientific databases. Meta-analysis was used to assay the analgesic efficacy of MAF. Further, molecular docking analysis was used to measure bindings of MAF and NPP-related proteins. Results: : 6 studies were eventually included for the meta-analysis according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The meta-analysis results demonstrated that MAF significantly inhibited acetic acid-induced writhing responses, formalin-induced pain behavior, thermal analgesia, and mechanical allodynia as compared with the model control. However, risk of bias especially blinding existed in the included studies. The publication bias was checked by Begg's and Egger's tests. The molecular docking analysis indicated that MAF bound to 62 pain-related proteins at different levels. The top 10 predicted target proteins of MAF were glutamate carboxypeptidase II (GCPII), dopamine transporter (DAT), N-methyl-d-aspartic acid receptor 2B (NMDAR2B), transient receptor potential member 8 (TRPM8), monoamine oxidase type B (MAO-B), sodium voltage-gated channel alpha subunit 9A (SCN9A), fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH), gamma-secretase (GS), angiopoietin-1 (ANGPT1), and ANGPT2 based on the scores assessed by hydrogen bonding and hydrophobic interactions. Conclusions: : In summary, MAF exerts the analgesic efficacy in the murine experimental pain models, which is associated with this compound binding to the NPP-related target proteins.

Ethnopharmacology relevance: Yunnan Baiyao (YNBY), a traditional Chinese medicine formulae, has some significant properties including activating blood circulation to dissipate blood stasis (Huo-Xue-Hua-Yu), eliminating swelling and alleviating pain (Xiao-Zhong-Zhi-Tong), and eliminating necrotic tissues and promoting granulation (Qu-Fu-Sheng-Ji).Aim of this study: This paper intends to provide a comprehensive and critical analysis of studies on YNBY, proposing new possible therapeutic directions of this formula.Materials and methods: Relevant data on YNBY were retrieved from available databases and a hand-search by searching the keywords such as “Yunnan Baiyao,” “pharmacology,” “toxicity,” and “clinical applications.”Results: Traditionally, YNBY has been used to cure hemorrhage, bruises, swelling, and pain caused by injuries in the Chinese folk. Modern pharmacological studies show that YNBY possesses pharmacological activities including hemostasis, invigorating the circulation of blood, wound healing, anti-inflammation, analgesia, antibiosis, infection prevention, and other effects. Toxicological studies demonstrate that YNBY has a certain toxicology, which is mainly caused by Aconitum alkaloids from Cao-wu (CW, Aconiti Kusnezoffii Radix). The developmental non-toxic reaction dose (NOAEL) of YNBY for embryos and fetuses is 0.5 g/kg in rats. In addition, the NOAEL for fertility and early embryo development toxicity is 4.0 g/kg in rats. Clinical trials have confirmed the safety of YNBY in a large number of patients, and adverse drug reactions (ADRs) such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, allergy, and others in very few people. YNBY is routinely used in clinic to cure bleeding, pain, swelling, upper digestive tract ulcer, postoperative wound, arthritis, mouth ulcers, ulcerative colitis, etc.Conclusions: Hemostasis is a conspicuous effect of YNBY. Except for this effect, analgesia and anti-infection may be new research directions of this formula. In addition, the in vitro and in vivo pharmacology and mechanisms of action of YNBY are encouraged as well as the pharmacokinetics of this formulae. Furthermore, the material basis of the pharmacological effects of YNBY also needs clear identification.

Ethnopharmacology relevance:Dichondra repens J.R.Forst. and G.Forst (DRF; Convolvulaceae, called Matijin in Chinese), has been traditionally used to treat jaundice, bacillary dysentery, urinary tract infection, edema, contusions, and strains and sprains based on traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) concepts.Aim of study: This paper intends to provide a comprehensive and critical analysis of research on DRF focusing on a relationship between traditional uses and pharmacological effects, evaluating the therapeutic potential of this plant.Methods: Relevant data on DRF were retrieved from available databases.Results: The heat-clearing and detoxifying, and removing the phlegm and turbid urine effects of DRF are linked to its anti-hepatitis B virus (HBV), anti-inflammatory, and hepatoprotective activities. Especially, the hepatoprotective effects of DRF are mainly based on anti-HBV activities of phenylalanine dipeptides Matijin-Su (MTS) and its derivatives derived from this plant. Further, a phase I anti-HBV clinical trial of a candidate compound named bentysrepinine (Y101, Chinese name Tifentai) has been completed. Also, anti-tumor, analgesic, and antibacterial properties have been reported in the extracts and compounds from DRF. Although pharmacy, pharmacodynamics, toxicology, and pharmacokinetics of bentysrepinine have been systemically reported, no studies have reported chemistry, safety, pharmacology of other compounds or extracts systemically.Conclusion: Phenylalanine dipeptide compounds are main components and MTS is a characteristic substance of DRF. The main pharmacological effect of DRF is anti-HBV activity, which is coherent with the traditional use of this plant in China. Except bentysrepinine, few studies have been conducted on toxicities of the extracts or compounds from DRF. Thus, it is still necessary to evaluate safety, chemistry, pharmacology of the extracts or compounds from DRF regarding the link between traditional uses and modern applications before the future clinical trials. Bacterial sepsis, cholecystitis and tumors may be prior therapeutic targets of this plant in the future.

This study was the first report about complete chloroplast genome of Aster hypoleucus (Asteraceae, Astereae), an endemic species in Xizang (China). The circular whole cp genome of A. hypoleucus was 152,300 bp in length, contained a large single-copy (LSC) region of 84,031 bp and a small single-copy (SSC) region of 18,269 bp. These two regions were separated by a pair of inverted repeat regions (IRa and IRb), each of them 25,000 bp in length. A total of 134 functional genes were encoded, consisted of 89 protein-coding genes, 37 tRNA genes, and eight rRNA genes. The overall GC content of the chloroplast genome sequence was 37.3%, and the GC contents of the LSC, SSC, and IR regions were 35.2%, 31.2%, and 43.0%, respectively.

This study was the first report about complete chloroplast genome of Aster hypoleucus (Asteraceae, Astereae), an endemic species in Xizang (China). The circular whole cp genome of A. hypoleucus was...