Coptidis Rhizoma: a comprehensive review of its traditional uses, botany, phytochemistry, pharmacology and toxicology

Protoberberine alkaloids: A review of the gastroprotective effects, pharmacokinetics, and toxicity

BACKGROUND

Stomach diseases have become global health concerns. Protoberberine alkaloids (PBAs) are a group of quaternary isoquinoline alkaloids from abundant natural sources and have been shown to improve gastric disorders in preclinical and clinical studies. The finding that PBAs exhibit low oral bioavailability but potent pharmacological activity has attracted great interest.

PURPOSE

This review aims to provide a systematic review of the molecular mechanisms of PBAs in the treatment of gastric disorders and to discuss the current understanding of the pharmacokinetics and toxicity of PBAs.

METHODS

The articles related to PBAs were collected from the Web of Science, Pubmed, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure databases using relevant keywords. The collected articles were screened and categorized according to their research content to focus on the gastroprotective effects, pharmacokinetics, and toxicity of PBAs.

RESULTS

Based on the results of preclinical studies, PBAs have demonstrated therapeutic effects on chronic atrophic gastritis and gastric cancer by activating interleukin-4 (IL-4)/signal transducer and activator of transcription 6 (STAT6) pathway and suppressing transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-β1)/phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K), Janus kinase-2 (JAK2)/signal transducers and activators of transcription 3 (STAT3), and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways. The major PBAs exhibit similar pharmacokinetic properties, including rapid absorption, slow elimination, and low bioavailability. Notably, the natural organ-targeting property of PBAs may account for the finding of their low blood levels and high pharmacological activity. PBAs interact with other compounds, including conventional drugs and natural products, by modulation of metabolic enzymes and transporters. The potential tissue toxicity of PBAs should be emphasized due to their high tissue accumulation.

CONCLUSION

This review highlights the gastroprotective effects, pharmacokinetics, and toxicity of PBAs and will contribute to the evaluation of drug properties and clinical translational studies of PBAs, accelerating their transfer from the laboratory to the bedside.

Evaluation of Antioxidant Activity and Treatment of Eczema by Berberine Hydrochloride-Loaded Liposomes-in-Gel

In this paper, berberine hydrochloride-loaded liposomes-in-gel were designed and developed to investigate their antioxidant properties and therapeutic effects on the eczema model of the mouse. Berberine hydrochloride-liposomes (BBH-L) as the nanoparticles were prepared by the thin-film hydration method and then dispersed BBH-L evenly in the gel matrix to prepare the berberine hydrochloride liposomes-gel (BBH-L-Gel) by the natural swelling method. Their antioxidant capacity was investigated by the free radical scavenging ability on 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and H2O2 and the inhibition of lipid peroxides malondialdehyde (MDA). An eczema model was established, and the efficacy of the eczema treatment was preliminarily evaluated using ear swelling, the spleen index, and pathological sections as indicators. The results indicate that the entrapment efficiency of BBH-L prepared by the thin-film hydration method was 78.56% ± 0.7%, with a particle size of 155.4 ± 9.3 nm. For BBH-L-Gel, the viscosity and pH were 18.16 ± 6.34 m Pas and 7.32 ± 0.08, respectively. The cumulative release in the unit area of the in vitro transdermal study was 85.01 ± 4.53 μg/cm2. BBH-L-Gel had a good scavenging capacity on DPPH and H2O2, and it could effectively inhibit the production of hepatic lipid peroxides MDA in the concentration range of 0.4-2.0 mg/mL. The topical application of BBH-L-Gel could effectively alleviate eczema symptoms and reduce oxidative stress injury in mice. This study demonstrates that BBH-L-Gel has good skin permeability, excellent sustained release, and antioxidant capabilities. They can effectively alleviate the itching, inflammation, and allergic symptoms caused by eczema, providing a new strategy for clinical applications in eczema treatment.

Developing Chinese herbal-based functional biomaterials for tissue engineering

The role of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in treating diseases is receiving increasing attention. Chinese herbal medicine is an important part of TCM with various applications and the active ingredients extracted from Chinese herbal medicines have physiological and pathological effects. Tissue engineering combines cell biology and materials science to construct tissues or organs in vitro or in vivo. TCM has been proposed by the World Health Organization as an effective treatment modality. In recent years, the potential use of TCM in tissue engineering has been demonstrated. In this review, the classification and efficacy of TCM active ingredients and delivery systems are discussed based on the TCM theory. We also summarized the current application status and broad prospects of Chinese herbal active ingredients in different specialized biomaterials in the field of tissue engineering. This review provides novel insights into the integration of TCM and modern Western medicine through the application of Chinese medicine in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.

Population genetic variation and geographic distribution of suitable areas of Coptis species in China

Introduction

The rhizomes of Coptis plants have been used in traditional Chinese medicine over 2000 years. Due to increasing market demand, the overexploitation of wild populations, habitat degradation and indiscriminate artificial cultivation of Coptis species have severely damaged the native germplasms of species in China.

Methods

Genome-wide simple-sequence repeat (SSR) markers were developed using the genomic data of C. chinensis. Population genetic diversity and structure of 345 Coptis accessions collected from 32 different populations were performed based on these SSRs. The distribution of suitable areas for three taxa in China was predicted and the effects of environmental variables on genetic diversity in relation to different population distributions were further analyzed.

Results

22 primer pairs were selected as clear, stable, and polymorphic SSR markers. These had an average of 16.41 alleles and an average polymorphism information content (PIC) value of 0.664. In the neighbor-joining (N-J) clustering analysis, the 345 individuals clustered into three groups, with C. chinensis, C. chinensis var. brevisepala and C. teeta being clearly separated. All C. chinensis accessions were further divided into four subgroups in the population structure analysis. The predicted distributions of suitable areas and the environmental variables shaping these distributions varied considerably among the three species.

Discussion

Overall, the amount of solar radiation, precipitation and altitude were the most important environmental variables influencing the distribution and genetic variation of three species. The findings will provide key information to guide the conservation of genetic resources and construction of a core reserve for species.

The anti-cholestatic effects of Coptis chinensis Franch. alone and combined with Tetradium ruticarpum (A. Jussieu) T. G. Hartley: dual effects on fecal metabolism and microbial diversity

Introduction: Drug dosages and combinations are the main factors that affect the efficacy of pleiotropic traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Coptis chinensis Franch. (CF) is a representative TCM with multiple effects and is often combined with Tetradium ruticarpum (A. Jussieu) T. G. Hartley (TR) to treat cholestasis. The present study assessed the influence of CF dose and its combination with TR on the efficacy of CF in cholestasis treatment, including their effects on fecal metabolism and fecal microorganisms. Methods: Rats with α-naphthylisothiocyanate (ANIT, 50 mg/kg)-induced cholestasis were administered low (0.3 g/kg) and high (0.6 g/kg) doses of CF, as well as CF combined with TR at doses of 0.6 g/kg and 0.9 g/kg, respectively. The anti-cholestatic effects of these treatments were assessed by determining their anti-inflammatory, hypolipidemic, and anti-oxidative stress properties. Additionally, fecal metabolomics and fecal microorganisms were analyzed. Results: Low dose CF had a more potent hypolipidemic effect than high dose CF, whereas high dose CF had more potent anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative stress effects. Combination with TR enhanced the hypolipidemic effect, but antagonized the anti-inflammatory effect, of CF. Analyses of fecal metabolomics and fecal microorganisms showed differences in the regulation of lipid- and amino acid metabolism-related pathways, including pathways of linoleic acid, tyrosine, and arachidonic acid metabolism, and amino acid biosynthesis between different doses of CF as well as between different doses of CF in combination with TR. These differences may contribute to differences in the anti-cholestatic effects of these preparations. Conclusion: CF dose influences its anti-cholestatic efficacy. The combination with TR had synergistic or antagonistic effects on the properties of CF, perhaps by altering fecal metabolism and fecal microbial homeostasis.

Bacillus velezensis LT1: a potential biocontrol agent for southern blight on Coptis chinensis

Introduction

Southern blight, caused by Sclerotium rolfsii, poses a serious threat to the cultivation of Coptis chinensis, a plant with significant medicinal value. The overreliance on fungicides for controlling this pathogen has led to environmental concerns and resistance issues. There is an urgent need for alternative, sustainable disease management strategies.

Methods

In this study, Bacillus velezensis LT1 was isolated from the rhizosphere soil of diseased C. chinensis plants. Its biocontrol efficacy against S. rolfsii LC1 was evaluated through a confrontation assay. The antimicrobial lipopeptides in the fermentation liquid of B. velezensis LT1 were identified using Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS). The effects of B. velezensis LT1 on the mycelial morphology of S. rolfsii LC1 were examined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM).

Results

The confrontation assay indicated that B. velezensis LT1 significantly inhibited the growth of S. rolfsii LC1, with an inhibition efficiency of 78.41%. MALDI-TOF-MS analysis detected the presence of bacillomycin, surfactin, iturin, and fengycin in the fermentation liquid, all known for their antifungal properties. SEM and TEM observations revealed that the mycelial and cellular structures of S. rolfsii LC1 were markedly distorted when exposed to B. velezensis LT1.

Discussion

The findings demonstrate that B. velezensis LT1 has considerable potential as a biocontrol agent against S. rolfsii LC1. The identified lipopeptides likely contribute to the antifungal activity, and the morphological damage to S. rolfsii LC1 suggests a mechanism of action. This study underscores the importance of exploring microbial biocontrol agents as a sustainable alternative to chemical fungicides in the management of plant diseases. Further research into the genetic and functional aspects of B. velezensis LT1 could provide deeper insights into its biocontrol mechanisms and facilitate its application in agriculture.

Targeted metabolomics revealed the mechanisms underlying the role of Liansu capsule in ameliorating functional dyspepsia

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Liansu capsule could alleviate dyspeptic symptoms; however, the mechanisms underlying its role in treating functional dyspepsia (FD) remain unclear.

AIM OF THE STUDY

To elucidate the mechanism underlying the efficacy of Liansu capsule in alleviating FD symptoms.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Thirty-six male mice were randomly divided into the following six groups: control, model, low-strength Liansu, moderate-strength Liansu, high-strength Liansu, and domperidone groups. Small intestine propulsion rate, gastric residual rate and histopathological analysis were performed to evaluate efficacy of Liansu capsule. Levels of interleukin-1β, interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor α, phosphorylation of p65, ghrelin and gastrin were verified by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction and immunofluorescence assays. Targeted metabolomic analyses, western blotting and immunofluorescence assays were used to explore the mechanism of Liansu capsule in ameliorating FD.

RESULTS

The Liansu capsule significantly ameliorated the symptoms of FD, and markedly increased the levels of ghrelin and gastrin. Moreover, Liansu capsule significantly downregulated the levels of the proinflammatory cytokine interleukin-1β, interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor α, and inhibited the phosphorylation of p65. Targeted metabolomic analyses showed that Liansu capsule significantly reduced the levels of deoxycholic acid and hyodeoxycholic acid, which were significantly elevated in the model group. Furthermore, these results showed that deoxycholic acid and hyodeoxycholic acid markedly promoted the levels of Takeda G-protein-coupled receptor 5 (TGR5), phosphorylated signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), and Kruppel-like factor 5 (KLF5) in vitro. whereas, Liansu capsule significantly reduced the levels of TGR5, phosphorylated STAT3, and KLF5.

CONCLUSION

Our findings indicated that Liansu capsule improved FD by regulating the deoxycholic acid/hyodeoxycholic acid-TGR5-STAT3-KLF5 axis. The findings reveal a novel mechanism underlying the role of Liansu capsule, which may be a promising therapeutic strategy for FD.

Recommendations and guidelines of integrative medicine for COVID-19 care: The APEC project outcome

This article - Recommendations and Guidelines of Integrative Medicine (IM) for COVID-19 Care - was one of the outcomes from an Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Project (Integrative Medicine (IM) and COVID -19 Care) during the time between May 2022 and March 2023. With the efforts from care providers, researchers, health policy makers and healthcare administrative leaders among APEC economies, the purpose of this file was to provide comprehensive IM systems for COVID-19 care as recommendations and suggestive guidelines including care methods, tools, procedures, symptom conditions and targets selections, and points need to be considered during care applications. All cited COVID-19 care practices have confirmed their efficacy and usefulness either used alone or combined with conventional medicine. This article provides current useful medical information on IM for COVID-19 care which could benefit APEC economies and world health communities on their healthcare system.

Tianhuang formula ameliorates liver fibrosis by inhibiting CCL2-CCR2 axis and MAPK/NF-κB signaling pathway

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

In the progression of chronic liver diseases, liver fibrosis is a reversible pathophysiologic event for liver diseases prognosis and risk of cirrhosis. Liver injury factors of different etiologies mediate this process. There is still a lack of effective medications for treating liver fibrosis. Additionally, the ameliorative effects of traditional herbs on liver fibrosis have been commonly reported. Tianhuang formula (THF) is a drug combination consisting of 2 traditional Chinese herbs, which has been showing significant improvement in metabolic liver diseases. However, the hepatoprotective effect and mechanism of THF in ameliorating liver fibrosis are still unclear.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This study aimed to investigate the effects of THF on carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced and methionine-choline-deficient (MCD) diet-induced liver fibrosis model and to reveal the potential mechanisms. It can provide experimental evidence for THF as a therapeutic candidate for liver fibrosis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this study, CCl4-induced mice were treated with THF (80 mg/kg, 160 mg/kg) or Fuzheng Huayu (FZHY) capsules (4.8 g/kg) for 6 weeks. MCD-induced mice received the same doses of THF or FZHY for 4 weeks. FZHY is used as a comparative study in these two models. Following that, using kit reagents detected changes in relevant serum and liver biochemical indicators. Histological changes in mouse liver were measured by staining of H&E and Sirius Red. The markers expression of liver fibrosis and inflammation were detected using qRT-PCR, western blotting and immunohistochemical staining analysis. The potential regulatory mechanism of THF to ameliorate liver fibrosis was performed by RNA-sequencing analysis. Finally, the analysis results were verified by immunofluorescence co-staining, qRT-PCR and western blotting.

RESULTS

Serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and hepatic triglyceride (TG) levels in CCl4 and MCD-induced liver fibrosis mice were significantly improved after THF treatment. Meanwhile, the expression of fibrosis and inflammation markers were significantly suppressed. Furthermore, THF downregulated the expression of the macrophage marker CD68. According to RNA-sequencing analysis, we found the CCL2-CCR2 axis and MAPK/NF-κB as the potential signaling pathway for THF against liver fibrosis.

CONCLUSION

This study revealed that THF ameliorated liver injury, inflammation and fibrotic process by inhibiting CCL2-CCR2 axis and its downstream MAPK/NF-κB signaling pathway.

The additive effect of herbal medicines on lifestyle modification in the treatment of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Introduction: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is difficult to manage because of its complex pathophysiological mechanism. There is still no effective treatment other than lifestyle modification (LM) such as dietary modifications, regular physical activity, and gradual weight loss. Herbal medicines from traditional Chinese Medicine and Korean Medicine have been shown to be effective in the treatment of NAFLD based on many randomized controlled trials. This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to evaluate the additive effects of herbal medicines on LM in the treatment of NAFLD. Methods: Two databases (PubMed and Cochrane library) were searched using keywords related to NAFLD and herbal medicines. Then the randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating the therapeutic effects of herbal medicines combined with LM were selected. The pooled results were analyzed as mean difference (MD) with 95% confidence interval (CI) for continuous data, and risk ratio (RR) with 95% CI for dichotomous data. Results and Discussion: Eight RCTs with a total of 603 participants were included for this review study. Participants were administered with multi-herbal formulas (Yiqi Sanju Formula, Tiaogan Lipi Recipe, and Lingguizhugan Decoction) or single-herbal extracts (Glycyrrhiza glabra L., Magnoliae offcinalis, Trigonella Foenum-graecum L. semen, Portulaca oleracea L., and Rhus Coriaria L. fructus) along with LM for 12 weeks. The meta-analysis showed a significant improvement in ultrasoundbased liver steatosis measured by odds ratio (OR) in the herbal medicine group than those with LM alone (OR = 7.9, 95% CI 0.7 to 95.2, p < 0.1). In addition, herbal medicines decreased the levels of aspartate transferase (MD -7.5, 95% CI -13.4 to -1.7, p = 0.01) and total cholesterol (MD -16.0, 95% CI -32.7 to 0.7, p = 0.06) more than LM alone. The meta-analysis partially showed clinical evidence supporting the additive benefits of herbal medicines for NAFLD in combination with LM. Whereas, it is necessary to provide a solid basis through higher-quality studies using a specific herbal medicine.

Shengjiang Xiexin decoction mitigates murine Clostridium difficile infection through modulation of the gut microbiota and bile acid metabolism

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

The overuse of antibiotics has resulted in Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) as a significant global public health concern. Studies have shown that imbalances in gut microbiota and metabolism play a vital role in the onset of CDI. Shengjiang Xiexin decoction (SJT), a traditional Chinese medicinal formula widely employed in the treatment of gastrointestinal ailments, demonstrates effectiveness in addressing murine CDI. However, the precise mechanistic role of SJT in CDI treatment remains uncertain, particularly regarding its impact on gut microbiota and intestinal metabolism. Thus, further investigation is imperative to shed light on these mechanisms.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This study aims to thoroughly investigate the therapeutic potential of SJT in the treatment of CDI, while also examining its impact on the intricate interplay between gut microbiota and bile acid metabolism. By employing a mouse model, we aspire to uncover novel insights that could pave the way for the development of more effective strategies in combating CDI.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We developed a mouse model for CDI and assessed SJT's potential as a therapeutic agent through pharmacological analyses. Our study employed high-throughput sequencing of 16S rRNA to identify changes in gut microbiota composition and untargeted metabolomics analysis to evaluate SJT's intervention on intestinal metabolism. We also conducted targeted analysis of bile acid metabolism to examine the specific effects of SJT. Finally, the growth-inhibitory effect of SJT on C. difficile was confirmed through ex vivo cultivation of the pathogen using cecal contents, supporting its potential role in treating CDI by modulating gut microbiota and bile acid metabolism.

RESULTS

In pharmacological studies, SJT was found to effectively reduce the levels of A&B toxins and alleviate colonic inflammation in CDI mice. Mechanistically, SJT demonstrated a mild increase in the abundance and diversity of the gut microbiota. However, its most significant impact was observed in the substantial improvement of the structural composition of the gut microbiota. Specifically, SJT decreased the abundance of gut Polymorphs and Firmicutes while restoring the proportions of family Trichophyton and Bacteroides_S24-7 spp (P < 0.001). Moreover, SJT not only decreased the levels of primary bile acids but also elevated the levels of secondary bile acids. Notably, it enhanced the conversion of taurocholic acid (TCA) to deoxycholic acid (DCA), leading to a balanced bile acid metabolism. Finally, cecal contents of SJT-treated mice showed a significant reduction in the growth of C. difficile, underscoring the therapeutic potential of SJT via modulation of gut microbiota and bile acid metabolism.

CONCLUSION

SJT demonstrates remarkable efficacy in treating CDI in mice by not only effectively combating the infection but also restoring the intricate balance of gut microbiota and bile acid metabolism. Furthermore, promising indications suggest that SJT may have the potential to prevent CDI recurrence. These findings underscore the comprehensive therapeutic value of SJT in managing CDI. Moving forward, we plan to transition from the laboratory to clinical settings to conduct further studies, validating our conclusions on SJT's efficacy.

Berberine Metabolites Stimulate GLP-1 Secretion by Alleviating Oxidative Stress and Mitochondrial Dysfunction

Berberine (BBR) is a principal component of Rhizoma coptidis known for its therapeutic potential in treating diseases such as type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and obesity. Despite the trace levels of BBR in plasma, it's believed that its metabolites play a pivotal role in its biological activities. While BBR is recognized to promote GLP-1 production in intestinal L cells, the cytoprotective effects of its metabolites on these cells are yet to be explored. The present study investigates the effects of BBR metabolites on GLP-1 secretion and the underlying mechanisms. Our results revealed that, out of six BBR metabolites, berberrubine (BBB) and palmatine (PMT) significantly increased the production and glucose-stimulated secretion of GLP-1 in GLUTag cells. Notably, both BBB and PMT could facilitate GLP-1 and insulin secretion and enhance glucose tolerance in standard mice. Moreover, a single dose of PMT could markedly increase plasma GLP-1 and improve glucose tolerance in mice with obesity induced by a high-fat diet. In palmitic acid or TNF[Formula: see text]-treated GLUTag cells, BBB and PMT alleviated cell death, oxidative stress, and mitochondrial dysfunction. Furthermore, they could effectively reverse inflammation-induced inhibition of the Akt signaling pathway. In general, these insights suggest that the beneficial effects of orally administered BBR on GLP-1 secretion are largely attributed to the pharmacological activity of BBB and PMT by their above cytoprotective effects on L cells, which provide important ideas for stimulating GLP-1 secretion and the treatment of T2DM.

Prospect of research on anti-atherosclerosis effect of main components of traditional Chinese medicine Yiqi Huoxue Huatan recipe through gut microbiota: A review

The incidence and mortality rates of cardiovascular diseases are on the rise globally, posing a severe threat to human health. Atherosclerosis (AS) is considered a multi-factorial inflammatory disease and the main pathological basis of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, as well as the leading cause of death. Dysbiosis of the gut microbiota can induce and exacerbate inflammatory reactions, accelerate metabolic disorders and immune function decline, and affect the progression and prognosis of AS-related diseases. The Chinese herbal medicine clinicians frequently utilize Yiqi Huoxue Huatan recipe, an effective therapeutic approach for the management of AS. This article reviews the correlation between the main components of Yiqi Huoxue Huatan recipe and the gut microbiota and AS to provide new directions and a theoretical basis for the prevention and treatment of AS.

Herb pairs containing Curcumae Rhizoma (Ezhu): A review of bio-active constituents, compatibility effects and t-copula function analysis

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

An herbal pair is a classic form of clinical dispensing in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), often used in prescriptions to enhance the effect or reduce potential side effects. It is the smallest component unit of Chinese medicine prescription and an essential bridge between Chinese medicine and prescription. Curcumae Rhizoma (called Ezhu in Chinese) is a representative TCM herb that promotes blood circulation and removes blood stasis. It has been used in Chinese medicine for thousands of years. Ezhu is generally used in clinical applications as a part of a "drug pair" to treat heartburn, stomach pain, tumour, amenorrhea and abdominal pain caused by blood stasis, qi stagnation and injury.

AIMS OF THE REVIEW

This review aims to summarize the latest and comprehensive situation of the biological activity and clinical application of drug pairs containing Ezhu, find the law of Ezhu compatibility application, and discuss the rationalization of Ezhu drug compatibility. For Ezhu, herb pairs to provide a theoretical basis for clinical research in TCM and serve as a research foundation for developing new drugs.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Using a self-built prescription database and Apriori algorithm for association rule mining. A systematic search for studies on herb pairs containing Ezhu was carried out by using the internet databases of PubMed, CNKI, Baidu Scholar, Google Scholar and Web of Science, as well as other relevant textbooks, reviews and documents (e.g. Chinese Pharmacopoeia, 2020 edition, Chinese herbal classic books and PhD and MSc theses, etc.). Among them with keywords including "Curcumae Rhizoma", "Ezhu", "herb pairs", "clinical application", etc. and their combinations. Moreover, the t-copula function was used to analyse the dose-coupling effect of five drug pairs, including Ezhu.

RESULTS

The preliminary statistical analysis retrieved Ezhu prescriptions from self-built prescription database and internet databases. The results showed that the compatibility frequency of Ezhu with the other five Chinese medicines was high. Most of these selected herbal combinations are used to treat internal diseases. In this paper, the progress of the ethnopharmacology of Ezhu was reviewed, emphasizing the changes in bioactive components and compatibility of Chinese traditional medicine combinations such as Ezhu and Astragalus Curcuma (Sparganium stoloniferum Buch. -Ham; called Sanleng in Chinese), Ezhu and Astragali Radix (Astragalus membranaceus (Fisch.) Bge. var. mongholicus (Bge.) Hsiao, Astragalus membranaceus (Fisch.) Bge.; called Huangqi in Chinese). Some other varieties, such as Ezhu and Rhizoma Chuanxiong (Ligusticum chuanxiong Hort.; called Chuanxiong in Chinese), Trionycis Carapax (Trionyx sinensis Wiegmann; called Biejia in Chinese), and Coptidis Rhizoma (Coptis chinensis Franch., Coptis deltoidea C. Y. Cheng et Hsiao, Coptis teeta Wall.; called Huanglian in Chinese), are also recorded in ancient books but rarely researched. The dose of Ezhu is strongly correlated with the amount of Sanleng, Huangqi, Biejia, Chuanxiong and Huanglian, respectively. Furthermore, there was a positive correlation between them.

CONCLUSIONS

The bioactive components and compatibility effects of Ezhu herb pairs were studied in detail using data mining and t-copula function analysis. Ezhu and Astragalus Curcuma (Sanleng) mainly treat gynecological disorders by activating blood circulation and relieving congestion. Ezhu and Astragali Radix (Huangqi) drug pair and Ezhu and Trionycis Carapax (Biejia) drug pair are all commonly used in the clinical treatment of tumors, the former is mainly used clinically for the treatment of digestive tract-related inflammation and tumors, liver cancer and gynecological tumors, and the latter is commonly used for the treatment of malignant tumors, such as liver cancer and mammary cancer.

A rapid localization and analysis method for isoquinoline alkaloids with fluorescence in Coptis chinensis Franch. By fabricating the nano-silver sol as a substrate for surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy

BACKGROUND

The quality of traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs) directly impacts their clinical efficacy and drug safety, making standardization a critical component of modern TCMs. Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) is an effective physical detection method with speed, sensitivity, and suitability for large sample analyses. In this study, a SERS analysis method was developed using a nano-silver sol as the matrix to address the interference of fluorescence components in TCMs and overcome the limitations of traditional detection methods.

RESULTS

The higher sensitivity and efficiency of SERS was used, enabling detection of a single sample within 30 s. Coptis chinensis Franch. (CCF) was chosen as the model medicine, the nano-silver sol was used as the matrix, and CCF's fourteen main fluorescent alkaloids were tested as index components. Typical signal peaks of the main components in CCF corresponded to the bending deformation of the nitrogen-containing ring plane outer ring system, methoxy stretching vibration, and isoquinoline ring deformation vibration. Through SERS detection of different parts, the distribution content of the main active components in the cortex of CCF was found to be lower than that in the xylem and phloem. Additionally, rapid quality control analyses indicated that among the nine batches of original medicinal materials purchased from Emei and Guangxi, the main active ingredient showed a higher content.

SIGNIFICANCE

A SERS-based method for the rapid localization and analysis of multiple components of TCMs was established. The findings highlight the potential of SERS as a valuable tool for the analysis and quality control of TCMs, especially for fluorescent components.

Modulation of the vitamin D receptor by traditional Chinese medicines and bioactive compounds: potential therapeutic applications in VDR-dependent diseases

The Vitamin D receptor (VDR) is a crucial nuclear receptor that plays a vital role in various physiological functions. To a larger extent, the genomic effects of VDR maintain general wellbeing, and its modulation holds implications for multiple diseases. Current evidence regarding using vitamin D or its synthetic analogs to treat non-communicable diseases is insufficient, though observational studies suggest potential benefits. Traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs) and bioactive compounds derived from natural sources have garnered increasing attention. Interestingly, TCM formulae and TCM-derived bioactive compounds have shown promise in modulating VDR activities. This review explores the intriguing potential of TCM and bioactive compounds in modulating VDR activity. We first emphasize the latest information on the genetic expression, function, and structure of VDR, providing a comprehensive understanding of this crucial receptor. Following this, we review several TCM formulae and herbs known to influence VDR alongside the mechanisms underpinning their action. Similarly, we also discuss TCM-based bioactive compounds that target VDR, offering insights into their roles and modes of action.

Interpreting the efficacy enhancement mechanism of Chinese medicine processing from a biopharmaceutic perspective

Chinese medicine processing (CMP) is a unique pharmaceutical technology that distinguishes it from natural medicines. Current research primarily focuses on changes in chemical components to understand the mechanisms behind efficacy enhancement in processing. However, this paper presents a novel perspective on the biopharmaceutics of CMP. It provides a comprehensive overview of the current research, emphasizing two crucial aspects: the role of 'heat' during processing and the utilization of processing adjuvants. The paper highlights the generation of easily absorbed components through the hydrolysis of glycosides by 'heat', as well as the facilitation of dissolution, absorption, and targeted distribution of active components through the utilization of processing adjuvants. From a biopharmaceutic perspective, this paper provides a lucid comprehension of the scientific foundation for augmenting the efficacy of CMP. Moreover, it proposes a three-dimensional research framework encompassing chemical reactions, phase transitions, and biopharmaceutical properties to further investigate the mechanisms involved in enhancing the efficacy of CMP.

Study on quality analysis of different species of Coptidis rhizome based on fingerprint-effect relationship

INTRODUCTION

The quality evaluation of Coptidis rhizome (CR) is attributed to the origin and processing method, and this strategy of ignoring the bioactive components usually leads to biased quality analysis, which is difficult to indicate the clinical efficacy.

OBJECTIVES

In order to evaluate the quality level of different species of CR, we collected 20 batches of CR and investigated the fingerprint-effect relationship.

METHODS

High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) fingerprints of CR were established, and the fingerprint-effect relationship was explored using cluster analysis, principal component analysis, Pearson correlation analysis, grey relation analysis, and partial least squares regression.

RESULTS

We have identified a total of 10 common peaks (1-10) with similarity scores above 0.96. The study on the relationship between spectra and potency further showed that the contents of peaks 8, 9, and 10 are potential key components. And based on a previous study, a method of one measurement and multiple evaluations of CR was established to achieve the goal of simplifying the analytical process and reducing costs.

CONCLUSION

Through a combination of fingerprint analysis, antioxidant activity evaluation, fingerprint-efficacy relationship analysis, and simultaneous quantification of multiple components, a CR quality control index and method have been selected and established, which can also provide a more comprehensive quality evaluation for traditional Chinese medicine.

A biosynthetic network for protoberberine production in Coptis chinensis

Protoberberine alkaloids are a group of tetracyclic isoquinoline compounds known for their well-established antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. The richness and diversity of protoberberine alkaloids accumulated in the Coptis genus necessitate a comprehensive examination of the biosynthetic machinery to understand their ecological significance. Here, from Coptis chinensis we identified CcCYP719A1, which could install a methylenedioxy bridge on either ring A or ring D of the protoberberine backbone, thus diverging metabolite flux towards the biosynthesis of various protoberberine components. We also obtained CcCYP719A2 and CcCYP719A3, which underwent positive selection after diverging from CcCYP719A1 and maintained specific catalytic activity on ring D. Further, we resolved the biosynthetic pathway of jatrorrhizine by identifying two demethylases, which could also modulate protoberberine composition by removing the C-3 methyl group and methylenedioxy bridge of ring D, allowing demethylated metabolites to be redirected into different routes. Moreover, we characterized 2-O-methyltransferase CcOMT1 and flavin-dependent oxidase CcTHBO, respectively responsible for the commonly observed 2-O-methylation and aromatic ring-C assembly in protoberberine alkaloids. Overall, this study reveals an interconnected metabolite network from which diverse protoberberine alkaloids originate. It provides valuable insights into the existence of undiscovered protoberberine components, and paves the way for the targeted production of desired protoberberine components for potential therapeutic development.

Biomarkers and coptis chinensis activity for rituximab-resistant diffuse large B-cell lymphoma: Combination of bioinformatics analysis, network pharmacology and molecular docking

BACKGROUND

Rituximab resistance is one of the great challenges in the treatment of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), but relevant biomarkers and signalling pathways remain to be identified. Coptis chinensis and its active ingredients have antitumour effects; thus, the potential bioactive compounds and mechanisms through which Coptis chinensis acts against rituximab-resistant DLBCL are worth exploring.

OBJECTIVE

To elucidate the core genes involved in rituximab-resistant DLBCL and the potential therapeutic targets of candidate monomers of Coptis chinensis.

METHODS

Using the Traditional Chinese Medicine System Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform (TCMSP), the Similarity Ensemble Approach and Swiss Target Prediction, the main ingredients and pharmacological targets of Coptis chinensis were identified through database searches. Through the overlap between the pharmacological targets of Coptis chinensis and the core targets of rituximab-resistant DLBCL, we identified the targets of Coptis chinensis against rituximab-resistant DLBCL and constructed an active compound-target interaction network. The targets and their corresponding active ingredients of Coptis chinensis against rituximab-resistant DLBCL were molecularly docked.

RESULTS

Berberine, quercetin, epiberberine and palmatine, the active components of Coptis chinensis, have great potential for improving rituximab-resistant DLBCL via PIK3CG.

CONCLUSION

This study revealed biomarkers and Coptis chinensis-associated molecular functions for rituximab-resistant DLBCL.

Coptis Chinensis Franch: Substance Basis, Mechanism of Action and Quality Control Standard Revealed Based on the Q-marker Concept and New Strategy of Systemic Pharmacology and Biosynthesis Research

Coptis chinensis Franch. (Ranunculaceae, Coptis), a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) with thousands of years of clinical use history, also a natural medicine available in many countries, has wide pharmacological mechanisms and significant bioactivity according to its traditional efficacy combined with modern scientific research. The quality marker (Q-marker) of C. chinensis Franch. is predicted in this paper based on the chemical composition and pharmacological effects of the plant, as well as the current system pharmacology, plant relatedness, biosynthetic pathways and quantitative analysis of multi-components (QAMS). Natural medicine has the advantage of being multi-component, multi-pathway and multi-target. However, there are few reports on safety evaluation. This review predicts the Q-marker of C. chinensis, the safety and efficacy of C. chinensis is provided. Studies from 1975 to 2023 were reviewed from PubMed, Elsevier, ScienceDirect, Web of Science, SpringerLink, and Google Scholar. Alkaloids and organic acids are the two main component categories of Q-Markers. The specific alkaloids identified through predictive results include berberine, coptisine, palmatine, epiberberine, jatrorrhizine, columbamine, and berberrubine. Quinic acid and malic acid, due to their influence on the content of alkaloids and their ability to aid in identifying the active components of C. chinensis, are also considered Q-markers. The research strategy of "exploring chemical components, exploring pharmacological activities, constructing pharmacological mechanism network and locating biosynthetic pathways" was used to accurately screen the quality markers of C. chinensis in this review and summarise the quality evaluation methods and criteria. In addition, we updated the biosynthetic pathway of C. chinensis and refined the specific synthetic pathways of jatrorrhizine (quality markers) and epiberberine (quality markers). Finally, we summarised the quality evaluation methods of C. chinensis, which provide an important reference for resource evaluation and provide a key reference for the discovery of new functional chemical entities for natural medicines.

Mechanisms of multi-omics and network pharmacology to explain traditional chinese medicine for vascular cognitive impairment: A narrative review

BACKGROUND

The term "vascular cognitive impairment" (VCI) describes various cognitive conditions that include vascular elements. It increases the risk of morbidity and mortality in the elderly population and is the most common cognitive impairment associated with cerebrovascular disease. Understanding the etiology of VCI may aid in identifying approaches to target its possible therapy for the condition. Treatment of VCI has focused on vascular risk factors. There are no authorized conventional therapies available right now. The medications used to treat VCI are solely approved for symptomatic relief and are not intended to prevent or slow the development of VCI.

PURPOSE

The function of Chinese medicine in treating VCI has not yet been thoroughly examined. This review evaluates the preclinical and limited clinical evidence to comprehend the "multi-component, multi-target, multi-pathway" mechanism of Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). It investigates the various multi-omics approaches in the search for the pathological mechanisms of VCI, as well as the new research strategies, in the hopes of supplying supportive evidence for the clinical treatment of VCI.

METHODS

This review used the Preferred Reporting Items for Preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) statements. Using integrated bioinformatics and network pharmacology approaches, a thorough evaluation and analysis of 25 preclinical studies published up to July 1, 2023, were conducted to shed light on the mechanisms of TCM for vascular cognitive impairment. The studies for the systematic review were located using the following databases: PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Cochrane, and ScienceDirect.

RESULTS

We discovered that the multi-omics analysis approach would hasten the discovery of the role of TCM in the treatment of VCI. It will explore components, compounds, targets, and pathways, slowing the progression of VCI from the perspective of inhibiting oxidative stress, stifling neuroinflammation, increasing cerebral blood flow, and inhibiting iron deposition by a variety of molecular mechanisms, which have significant implications for the treatment of VCI.

CONCLUSION

TCM is a valuable tool for developing dementia therapies, and further research is needed to determine how TCM components may affect the operation of the neurovascular unit. There are still some limitations, although several research have offered invaluable resources for searching for possible anti-dementia medicines and treatments. To gain new insights into the molecular mechanisms that precisely modulate the key molecules at different levels during pharmacological interventions-a prerequisite for comprehending the mechanism of action and determining the potential therapeutic value of the drugs-further research should employ more standardized experimental methods as well as more sophisticated science and technology. Given the results of this review, we advocate integrating chemical and biological component analysis approaches in future research on VCI to provide a more full and objective assessment of the standard of TCM. With the help of bioinformatics, a multi-omics analysis approach will hasten the discovery of the role of TCM in the treatment of VCI, which has significant implications for the treatment of VCI.

Unlocking Prognostic Genes and Multi-Targeted Therapeutic Bioactives from Herbal Medicines to Combat Cancer-Associated Cachexia: A Transcriptomics and Network Pharmacology Approach

Cachexia is a devastating fat tissue and muscle wasting syndrome associated with every major chronic illness, including cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, kidney disease, AIDS, and heart failure. Despite two decades of intense research, cachexia remains under-recognized by oncologists. While numerous drug candidates have been proposed for cachexia treatment, none have achieved clinical success. Only a few drugs are approved by the FDA for cachexia therapy, but a very low success rate is observed among patients. Currently, the identification of drugs from herbal medicines is a frontier research area for many diseases. In this milieu, network pharmacology, transcriptomics, cheminformatics, and molecular docking approaches were used to identify potential bioactive compounds from herbal medicines for the treatment of cancer-related cachexia. The network pharmacology approach is used to select the 32 unique genes from 238 genes involved in cachexia-related pathways, which are targeted by 34 phytocompounds identified from 12 different herbal medicines used for the treatment of muscle wasting in many countries. Gene expression profiling and functional enrichment analysis are applied to decipher the role of unique genes in cancer-associated cachexia pathways. In addition, the pharmacological properties and molecular interactions of the phytocompounds were analyzed to find the target compounds for cachexia therapy. Altogether, combined omics and network pharmacology approaches were used in the current study to untangle the complex prognostic genes involved in cachexia and phytocompounds with anti-cachectic efficacy. However, further functional and experimental validations are required to confirm the efficacy of these phytocompounds as commercial drug candidates for cancer-associated cachexia.

Assessment of subchronic toxicity and toxicokinetics of AG NPP709 in Sprague-Dawley rats

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Hedera helix L. (HH) leaves and Coptidis rhizoma (CR) have traditionally been used to treat respiratory conditions. AG NPP709, which is formulated using extracts of both these herbs, has been developed as an expectorant and antitussive.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The objective was to evaluate the subchronic toxicity and toxicokinetic characteristics of AG NPP709 in laboratory rats.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

AG NPP709 was orally administered to rats at doses of up to 2.0 g/kg/day for a duration of 13 weeks. Various health parameters were measured throughout the treatment period. At the end of the treatment, a necropsy was conducted and additional parameters were analyzed. Toxicokinetic analyses were also performed on hederacoside C and berberine, the active components of HH leaves and CR, respectively, in the plasma of rats treated with AG NPP709.

RESULTS

AG NPP709-treated rats exhibited several health issues, such as reduced feed intake, altered differential white blood cell (WBC) count, increased plasma Alb/Glo ratio in females, and reduced kidney weight in males. However, these changes appeared to be incidental and fell within the typical range for healthy animals of this species. Additionally, toxicokinetic analysis of hederacoside C and berberine showed no accumulation in the plasma of rats during the repeated treatments with AG NPP709.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study demonstrates that AG NPP709 does not have any harmful effects on rats under experimental conditions. Based upon these findings, the no observed adverse effect level of AG NPP709 can be estimated to be 2.0 g/kg/day in rats.

Recent advances in anti-inflammatory active components and action mechanisms of natural medicines

Inflammation is a series of reactions caused by the body's resistance to external biological stimuli. Inflammation affects the occurrence and development of many diseases. Anti-inflammatory drugs have been used widely to treat inflammatory diseases, but long-term use can cause toxic side-effects and affect human functions. As immunomodulators with long-term conditioning effects and no drug residues, natural products are being investigated increasingly for the treatment of inflammatory diseases. In this review, we focus on the inflammatory process and cellular mechanisms in the development of diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease, atherosclerosis, and coronavirus disease-2019. Also, we focus on three signaling pathways (Nuclear factor-kappa B, p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase, Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription-3) to explain the anti-inflammatory effect of natural products. In addition, we also classified common natural products based on secondary metabolites and explained the association between current bidirectional prediction progress of natural product targets and inflammatory diseases.

New trends in the practical use of isoquinoline alkaloids as potential drugs applicated in infectious and non-infectious diseases

In the last years, traditional natural products have been the center of attention for the scientific community and exploration of their therapeutic abilities is proceeding permanently. Isoquinoline alkaloids have always attracted scientific interest due to either their positive or negative effects on human organism. The present review describes research on isoquinoline alkaloids isolated from different plant species. Alkaloids are one of the most important classes of plant derived compounds among these isoquinoline alkaloids possess varied biological activities such as anticancer, antineurodegenerative diseases, antidiabetic, antiinflammatory, antimicrobial, and many others. The use of plants against different disorders is entrenched in traditional medicine around the globe. Recent progress in modern therapeutics has stimulated the use of natural products worldwide for various ailments and diseases. The review provides a collection of information on the capabilities of some isoquinoline alkaloids, its potential for the treatment of various diseases and is designed to be a guide for future research on different biologically active isoquinoline alkaloids and plant species containing them. The authors are aware that they were not able to cover the whole area of the topic related to biological activity of isoquinoline alkaloids. This review is intended to suggest directions for further research and can also help other researchers in future studies.

Oral administration of Huanglian-Houpo herbal nanoemulsion loading multiple phytochemicals for ulcerative colitis therapy in mice

How to achieve stable co-delivery of multiple phytochemicals is a common problem. This study focuses on the development, optimization and characterization of Huanglian-HouPo extract nanoemulsion (HLHPEN), with multiple components co-delivery, to enhance the anti-ulcerative colitis (UC) effects. The formulation of HLHPEN was optimized by pseudo-ternary phase diagram combined with Box-Behnken design. The physicochemical properties of HLHPEN were characterized, and its anti-UC activity was evaluated in DSS-induced UC mice model. Based on preparation process optimization, the herbal nanoemulsion HLHPEN was obtained, with the droplet size, PDI value, encapsulation efficiency (EE) for 6 phytochemicals (berberine, epiberberine, coptisine, bamatine, magnolol and honokiol) of 65.21 ± 0.82 nm, 0.182 ± 0.016, and 90.71 ± 0.21%, respectively. The TEM morphology of HLHPEN shows the nearly spheroidal shape of particles. The optimized HLHPEN showed a brownish yellow milky single-phase and optimal physical stability at 25 °C for 90 days. HLHPEN exhibited the good particle stability and gradual release of phytochemicals in SGF and SIF, to resist the destruction of simulated stomach and small intestine environment. Importantly, the oral administration of HLHPEN significantly restored the shrunk colon tissue length and reduced body weight, ameliorated DAI value and colon histological pathology, decreased the levels of inflammatory factors in DSS-induced UC mice model. These results demonstrated that HLHPEN had a significant therapeutic effect on DSS-induced UC mice, as a potential alternative UC therapeutic agent.

Advanced application of nanotechnology in active constituents of Traditional Chinese Medicines

Traditional Chinese Medicines (TCMs) have been used for centuries for the treatment and management of various diseases. However, their effective delivery to targeted sites may be a major challenge due to their poor water solubility, low bioavailability, and potential toxicity. Nanocarriers, such as liposomes, polymeric nanoparticles, inorganic nanoparticles and organic/inorganic nanohybrids based on active constituents from TCMs have been extensively studied as a promising strategy to improve the delivery of active constituents from TCMs to achieve a higher therapeutic effect with fewer side effects compared to conventional formulations. This review summarizes the recent advances in nanocarrier-based delivery systems for various types of active constituents of TCMs, including terpenoids, polyphenols, alkaloids, flavonoids, and quinones, from different natural sources. This review covers the design and preparation of nanocarriers, their characterization, and in vitro/vivo evaluations. Additionally, this review highlights the challenges and opportunities in the field and suggests future directions for research. Nanocarrier-based delivery systems have shown great potential in improving the therapeutic efficacy of TCMs, and this review may serve as a comprehensive resource to researchers in this field.

The role and mechanism of TCM in the prevention and treatment of infectious diseases

The constant presence of infectious diseases poses an everlasting threat to the entire world. In recent years, there has been an increased attention toward the application of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in the treatment of emerging infectious diseases, as it has played a significant role. The aim of this article is to provide a concise overview of the roles and mechanisms of TCM in treating infectious diseases. TCM possesses the ability to modulate relevant factors, impede signaling pathways, and inhibit microbial growth, thereby exhibiting potent antiviral, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory effects that demonstrate remarkable efficacy against viral and bacterial infections. This article concludes that the comprehensive regulatory features of Chinese herbal medicines, with their various components, targets, and pathways, result in synergistic effects. The significance of Chinese herbal medicines in the context of infectious diseases should not be underestimated; however, it is crucial to also acknowledge their underutilization. This paper presents constructive suggestions regarding the challenges and opportunities faced by Chinese medicines. Particularly, it emphasizes the effectiveness and characteristics of Chinese medicines in the treatment of infectious diseases, specifying how these medicines' active substances can be utilized to target infectious diseases. This perspective is advantageous in facilitating researchers' pharmacological studies on Chinese medicines, focusing on the specific points of action. The mechanism of action of Chinese herbal medicines in the treatment of infectious diseases is comprehensively elucidated in this paper, providing compelling evidence for the superior treatment of infectious diseases through Chinese medicine. This information is favorable for advancing the development of TCM and its potential applications in the field of infectious diseases.

Comparative study on main compounds and hypoglycemic effects of dispensing granules of Coptidis Rhizoma and Scutellaria-Coptis herb couple with traditional decoction

BACKGROUND

The clinical applications of dispensing granules (DG) have increased dramatically. However, it is controversial whether the DG has the same quality and efficacy compared with traditional decoction (TD). In this study, the contents of main compounds, hypoglycemic effects, and potential mechanism of Coptidis Rhizoma (CR) and Scutellaria-coptis (SC), constituted of a 1:1 mixture of CR and Scutellariae Radix (SR), in the forms of TD and DG were compared.

METHODS

The quantitative analysis was performed on an UPLC-PDA method. The 6-weeks-old male db/db mice were used as Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) mouse modle to investigate the antidiabetic effects of CR and SC in TD form (CR TD and SC TD), as well as CR and SC in DG form (CR DG and SC DG).

RESULTS

The total content of five alkaloids in CR TD ranged from 71.00 to 78.62 mg, whereas in CR DG it ranged from 38.77 to 53.68 mg in CR DG per 1 g of decoction pieces. Compared to CR TD, CR DG exhibited a 36% reduction on average. For SC samples, the precipitation occurred in the processing of TD but not in the DG, and the relative ratio of alkaloids to flavonoids was determined to be 1:1 in TD and 1:2 in DG. Furthermore, the animal experiments showed that the CR DG (equivalent to 3 g decoction pieces/kg) had almost the same hypoglycemic effect as CR TD when they were administered for 6 weeks. Compared with SC DG (equivalent to 6 g decoction pieces/kg), SC TD showed a better trend in ameliorating T2DM via ameliorating pancreatic structure and function, and activating Akt/AMPK/GLUT4 signaling pathways.

CONCLUSION

This study indicated that the contents of main compounds were generally higher in CR TD than CR DG originated from the same raw materials. Additionally, changes in the contents of the primary components validated that the compound interactions are exclusive to SC TD during co-decoction, rather than SC DG. The disparate prossing of SC DG and SC TD caused differences both in chemical composition and hypoglycemic effect, suggesting that the substitutability of DG and TD requires further research.

Harder, better, faster, stronger? Retrospective chart review of adverse events of interactions between adaptogens and antidepressant drugs

Aim: We aimed to systematically evaluate the prevalence and clinical characteristics of adverse events associated with the adaptogens and antidepressant drug interactions in a retrospective chart review. Methodology: A total of 1,816 reports of adverse events were evaluated. Cases were included in the analysis if the pharmacoepidemiological analysis showed the presence of a high probability of a causal relationship between an adaptogen and antidepressant interaction and the occurrence of adverse events. The following data were extracted from the reports: age, sex, antidepressant, plant products containing adaptogens, other concomitant medications, and clinical consequences of the interactions and their possible mechanisms. Results: Adaptogens were involved in 9% of adverse events associated with the concomitant use of antidepressants and other preparations. We identified 30 reports in which side effects presented a causal relationship with the use of antidepressants and adaptogens. Here, we present the list of adaptogens with the corresponding antidepressants and the side effects caused by their interactions: Withania somnifera: reboxetine (testicle pain and ejaculatory dysfunctions), sertraline (severe diarrhea), escitalopram (myalgia, epigastric pain, nausea, vomiting, restless legs syndrome, and severe cough), and paroxetine (generalized myalgia, ophthalmalgia, and ocular hypertension); Eleutherococcus senticosus: duloxetine (upper gastrointestinal bleeding), paroxetine (epistaxis), sertraline (vaginal hemorrhage), and agomelatine (irritability, agitation, headache, and dizziness); Schisandra chinensis: bupropion (arthralgia and thrombocytopenia), amitriptyline (delirium), and fluoxetine (dysuria); Tribulus terrestris: citalopram (generalized pruritus), escitalopram (galactorrhea), and trazodone (psoriasis relapse); Coptis chinensis: mianserin (arrhythmias), mirtazapine (edema of lower limbs and myalgia), and fluoxetine (gynecomastia); Cimicifuga racemosa: mianserin (restless legs syndrome), paroxetine (gynecomastia and mastalgia), and venlafaxine (hyponatremia); Bacopa monnieri: agomelatine (back pain and hyperhidrosis) and moclobemide (myocardial infarction); Gynostemma pentaphyllum: duloxetine (back pain); Cordyceps sinensis: sertraline (upper gastrointestinal bleeding); Lepidium meyenii: mianserin (restless legs syndrome); and Scutellaria baicalensis: bupropion (seizures). Conclusion: Clinicians should monitor the adverse events associated with the concomitant use of adaptogens and antidepressant drugs in patients with mental disorders. Aggregation of side effects and pharmacokinetic interactions (inhibition of CYP and p-glycoprotein) between those medicines may result in clinically significant adverse events.

Study on the active ingredients and mechanism of Jiaotai Pill in the treatment of primary insomnia based on network pharmacology and GEO statistics: A review

OBJECTIVE

To explore the active components and mechanism of Jiaotai Pill (JTP) in the treatment of primary insomnia (PI) based on gene expression omnibus.

METHODS

The main active components of Jiaotai Pills were obtained by TCMSP and literature mining, and the targets of the active components of Jiaotai Pills were predicted. The targets were verified and standardized by Uniprot database. PI-related targets were obtained from GeneCards, OMIM, DrugBank, PharmGKB, and TTD databases. Obtaining an intersection action target point of the Jiaotai pill and the PI by using a Venny diagram; Gene chip data (GSE208668) was downloaded from gene expression omnibus database, and then gene probe enrichment analysis (GSEA) was used to screen the differentially expressed genes between PI patients and normal controls, and molecular docking was used to virtually verify the screened differentially expressed genes with potential active compounds.

RESULTS

21 active components and 263 potential targets of Jiaotai Pill were screened by database analysis and literature mining, 112 of which were intersected with PI. Molecular docking results showed that quercetin, EGCG, kaempferol, R-kanatin, stigmasterol, berberine and other core active components had good docking activity with related differential genes.

CONCLUSION

Jiaotai Pill can regulate the release of inflammatory factors through multiple active ingredients, multiple disease targets, multiple biological pathways and multiple pathways to achieve the purpose of treating PI, which provides a theoretical basis for the clinical treatment of PI and broadens the clinical use of Jiaotai Pill.

Application of Rapid Identification and Determination of Moisture Content of Coptidis Rhizoma From Different Species Based on Data Fusion

BACKGROUND

For thousands of years, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has been clinically proven, and doctors have highly valued the differences in utility between different species.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to replace the complex methods traditionally used for empirical identification by compensating for the information loss of a single sensor through data fusion. The research object of the study is Coptidis rhizoma (CR).

METHOD

Using spectral optimization and data fusion technology, near infrared (NIR) and mid-infrared (MIR) spectra were collected for CR. PLS-DA (n = 134) and PLSR (n = 63) models were established to identify the medicinal materials and to determine the moisture content in the medicinal materials.

RESULTS

For the identification of the three species of CR, the mid-level fusion model performed better than the single-spectrum model. The sensitivity and specificity of the prediction set coefficients for NIR, MIR, and data fusion qualitative models were all higher than 0.95, with an AUC value of 1. The NIR data model was superior to the MIR data model. The results of low-level fusion were similar to those of the NIR optimization model. The RPD of the test set of NIR and low-level fusion model was 3.6420 and 3.4216, respectively, indicating good prediction ability of the model.

CONCLUSIONS

Data fusion technology using NIR and MIR can be applied to identify CR species and to determine the moisture content of CR. It provides technical support for the rapid determination of moisture content, with a fast analysis speed and without the need for complex pretreatment methods.

HIGHLIGHTS

This study is the first to introduce spectral data fusion technology to identify CR species. Data fusion technology is feasible for multivariable calibration model performance and reduces the cost of manual identification. The moisture content of CR can be quickly evaluated, reducing the difficulty of traditional methods.

Targeting gut microbiota and immune crosstalk: potential mechanisms of natural products in the treatment of atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis (AS) is a chronic inflammatory reaction that primarily affects large and medium-sized arteries. It is a major cause of cardiovascular disease and peripheral arterial occlusive disease. The pathogenesis of AS involves specific structural and functional alterations in various populations of vascular cells at different stages of the disease. The immune response is involved throughout the entire developmental stage of AS, and targeting immune cells presents a promising avenue for its treatment. Over the past 2 decades, studies have shown that gut microbiota (GM) and its metabolites, such as trimethylamine-N-oxide, have a significant impact on the progression of AS. Interestingly, it has also been reported that there are complex mechanisms of action between GM and their metabolites, immune responses, and natural products that can have an impact on AS. GM and its metabolites regulate the functional expression of immune cells and have potential impacts on AS. Natural products have a wide range of health properties, and researchers are increasingly focusing on their role in AS. Now, there is compelling evidence that natural products provide an alternative approach to improving immune function in the AS microenvironment by modulating the GM. Natural product metabolites such as resveratrol, berberine, curcumin, and quercetin may improve the intestinal microenvironment by modulating the relative abundance of GM, which in turn influences the accumulation of GM metabolites. Natural products can delay the progression of AS by regulating the metabolism of GM, inhibiting the migration of monocytes and macrophages, promoting the polarization of the M2 phenotype of macrophages, down-regulating the level of inflammatory factors, regulating the balance of Treg/Th17, and inhibiting the formation of foam cells. Based on the above, we describe recent advances in the use of natural products that target GM and immune cells crosstalk to treat AS, which may bring some insights to guide the treatment of AS.

NIR-responsive carrier-free nanoparticles based on berberine hydrochloride and indocyanine green for synergistic antibacterial therapy and promoting infected wound healing

Bacterial infections cause severe health conditions, resulting in a significant economic burden for the public health system. Although natural phytochemicals are considered promising anti-bacterial agents, they suffer from several limitations, such as poor water solubility and low bioavailability in vivo, severely restricting their wide application. Herein, we constructed a near-infrared (NIR)-responsive carrier-free berberine hydrochloride (BH, phytochemicals)/indocyanine green (ICG, photosensitizer) nanoparticles (BI NPs) for synergistic antibacterial of an infected wound. Through electrostatic interaction and π-π stacking, the hydrophobic BH and amphiphilic ICG are initially self-assembled to generate carrier-free nanoparticles. The obtained BI NPs demonstrated NIR-responsive drug release behavior and better photothermal conversion efficiency of up to 36%. In addition, BI NPs stimulated by NIR laser exhibited remarkable antibacterial activity, which realized the synergistic antibacterial treatment and promoted infected wound healing. In summary, the current research results provided a candidate strategy for self-assembling new BI NPs to treat bacterial infections synergistically.

Phytochemicals targeting glycolysis in colorectal cancer therapy: effects and mechanisms of action

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common malignant tumor in the world, and it is prone to recurrence and metastasis during treatment. Aerobic glycolysis is one of the main characteristics of tumor cell metabolism in CRC. Tumor cells rely on glycolysis to rapidly consume glucose and to obtain more lactate and intermediate macromolecular products so as to maintain growth and proliferation. The regulation of the CRC glycolysis pathway is closely associated with several signal transduction pathways and transcription factors including phosphatidylinositol 3-kinases/protein kinase B/mammalian target of rapamycin (PI3K/AKT/mTOR), adenosine 5'-monophosphate (AMP)-activated protein kinase (AMPK), hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1), myc, and p53. Targeting the glycolytic pathway has become one of the key research aspects in CRC therapy. Many phytochemicals were shown to exert anti-CRC activity by targeting the glycolytic pathway. Here, we review the effects and mechanisms of phytochemicals on CRC glycolytic pathways, providing a new method of drug development.

Integrative Approach to Identifying System-Level Mechanisms of Chung-Sang-Bo-Ha-Hwan's Influence on Respiratory Tract Diseases: A Network Pharmacological Analysis with Experimental Validation

Chung-Sang-Bo-Ha-Hwan (CSBHH) is an herbal prescription widely used to treat various chronic respiratory diseases. To investigate the system-level treatment mechanisms of CSBHH in respiratory tract diseases, we identified 56 active ingredients of CSBHH and evaluated the degree of overlap between their targets and respiratory tract disease-associated proteins. We then investigated the respiratory tract disease-related signaling pathways associated with CSBHH targets. Enrichment analysis showed that the CSBHH targets were significantly associated with various signaling pathways related to inflammation, alveolar structure, and tissue fibrosis. Experimental validation was conducted using phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA)-stimulated NCI-H292 cells by analyzing the mRNA expression levels of biomarkers (IL-1β and TNF-α for inflammation; GSTP1, GSTM1, and PTEN for apoptosis) derived from network pharmacological analysis, in addition to the mucin genes MUC5AC and MUC2, to investigate the phlegm-expelling effect of CSBHH. The mRNA expression levels of these genes were consistent with network pharmacological predictions in a concentration-dependent manner. These results suggest that the therapeutic mechanisms of CSBHH in respiratory tract diseases could be attributed to the simultaneous action of multiple active ingredients in the herbal prescription.

Genome-wide analysis of bHLH gene family in Coptis chinensis provides insights into the regulatory role in benzylisoquinoline alkaloid biosynthesis

Coptis chinensis Franch is a perennial species with high medical value. The rhizome of C. chinensis is a traditional Chinese medicine widely used for more than 2000 years in China. Its principal active ingredients are benzylisoquinoline alkaloids (BIAs). The basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) transcription factors play an important regulatory role in the biosynthesis of plant secondary metabolites. However, the bHLH genes in C. chinensis have not been described, and little is known about their roles in alkaloid biosynthesis. In this study, a total of 143 CcbHLH genes (CcbHLHs) were identified and unevenly distributed on nine chromosomes. Phylogenetic analysis divided the 143 CcbHLH proteins into 26 subfamilies by comparison with Arabidopsis thaliana bHLH proteins. The majority CcbHLHs in each subgroup had similar gene structures and conserved motifs. Furthermore, the physicochemical properties, conserved motif, intron/exon composition, and cis-acting elements of CcbHLHs were analyzed. Transcriptome analysis revealed that 30 CcbHLHs were significantly expressed in the rhizomes of C. chinensis. Co-expression analysis revealed that 11 CcbHLHs were highly positively correlated with contents of various alkaloids of C. chinensis. Moreover, yeast one-hybrid experiments verified that CcbHLH001 and CcbHLH0002 could interact with the promoters of berberine biosynthesis pathway genes CcBBE and CcCAS, suggesting their regulatory roles in BIA biosynthesis. This study provides comprehensive insights into the bHLH gene family in C. chinensis and will support in-depth functional characterization of CcbHLHs involved in the regulation of protoberberine-type alkaloid biosynthesis.

Berberine Reduces Lipid Accumulation in Obesity via Mediating Transcriptional Function of PPARδ

Obesity is defined as a dampness-heat syndrome in traditional Chinese medicine. Coptidis Rhizoma is an herb used to clear heat and eliminate dampness in obesity and its complications. Berberine (BBR), the main active compound in Coptidis Rhizoma, shows anti-obesity effects. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) are a group of nuclear receptor proteins that regulate the expression of genes involved in energy metabolism, lipid metabolism, inflammation, and adipogenesis. However, whether PPARs are involved in the anti-obesity effect of BBR remains unclear. As such, the aim of this study was to elucidate the role of PPARs in BBR treatment on obesity and the underlying molecular mechanisms. Our data showed that BBR produced a dose-dependent regulation of the levels of PPARγ and PPARδ but not PPARα. The results of gene silencing and specific antagonist treatment demonstrated that PPARδ is key to the effect of BBR. In 3T3L1 preadipocytes, BBR reduced lipid accumulation; in high-fat-diet (HFD)-induced obese mice, BBR reduced weight gain and white adipose tissue mass and corrected the disturbed biochemical parameters, including lipid levels and inflammatory and oxidative markers. Both the in vitro and in vivo efficacies of BBR were reversed by the presence of a specific antagonist of PPARδ. The results of a mechanistic study revealed that BBR could activate PPARδ in both 3T3L1 cells and HFD mice, as evidenced by the significant upregulation of PPARδ endogenous downstream genes. After activating by BBR, the transcriptional functions of PPARδ were invoked, exhibiting negative regulation of CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein α (Cebpα) and Pparγ promoters and positive mediation of heme oxygenase-1 (Ho-1) promoter. In summary, this is the first report of a novel anti-obesity mechanism of BBR, which was achieved through the PPARδ-dependent reduction in lipid accumulation.

Study on the mechanism of Coptis chinensis Franch. And its main active components in treating Alzheimer's disease based on SCFAs using Orbitrap Fusion Lumos Tribrid MS

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Coptis chinensis Franch. (CCF), as an extensively used traditional Chinese medicine, has therapeutic effects on Alzheimer's disease (AD), but its mechanism of action has not yet been elucidated.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This study aims to reveal the mechanism of action of CCF via the gut-brain axis, and provide a new strategy for the clinical treatment of AD.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

APPswe/PS1ΔE9 mice were used as AD models, and were given CCF extract by intragastric administration. Barnes maze was used to test the therapeutic effect of CCF on the treatment of AD. To reveal the mechanism of action of CCF in the treatment of AD, Vanquish Flex UHPLC-orbitrap fusion lumos mass was chosen to detect endogenous differential metabolite; MetaboAnalyst 5.0 was applied to derive relevant metabolic pathways; similarly, to explore the effects of CCF on the gut-brain axis, Vanquish Flex UPLC-Orbitrap fusion lumos mass was utilized to detect the changes in the content of SCFAs in AD mice after CCF administration; the prototype components and metabolites in CCF were identified by UPLC/ESI/qTOF-MS, then their effects on Bifidobacterium breve were explored.

RESULTS

CCF shortened the latency time of AD mice, improved the target quadrant ratio of AD mice, and made the maze roadmap simpler of AD mice; CCF regulated fifteen potential metabolites of AD mice, interestingly, ILA (indole-3-lactic acid) in SCFAs (short-chain fatty acids) was also included; CCF acted on histidine and phenylalanine metabolic pathways of AD mice; CCF increased the contents of acetic acid and ILA in AD mice; magnoflorine, jatrorrhizine, coptisine, groenlandicine, thalifendine, palmatine, berberine, epiberberine, hydroxylated jatrorrhizine, and 3-methoxydemethyleneberberine in CCF were detected in fecal samples of AD mice; magnoflorine, palmatrubine, 13-methylberberine, berberine, coptisine, and palmatine promoted the growth of Bifidobacterium breve.

CONCLUSIONS

we have demonstrated that CCF acts on the gut-brain axis by regulating SCFAs to treat AD.

Antibacterial activity mechanism of coptisine against Pasteurella multocida

Objective

Pasteurella multocida is a widespread zoonotic pathogen that causes severe damage to the poultry industry. This study focused on the antibacterial effects and mechanism of action of coptisine against P. multocida.

Methods

The minimum inhibitory concentration and half maximal inhibitory concentration of coptisine against P. multocida was measured. Additionally, the effect of coptisine on growth, cell wall, activity of respiratory enzymes, soluble protein content and DNA synthesis were also analyzed. Finally, the effect of coptisine on gene transcription was determined using RNA sequencing.

Results

We demonstrated that coptisine has a strong antibacterial effect against P. multocida, with a minimum inhibitory concentration of 0.125 mg/mL. Moreover, the measurement of the half maximal inhibitory concentration confirmed that coptisine was safe for the pathogen. The growth curve showed that coptisine inhibited bacterial growth. Measurement of alkaline phosphatase activity in the culture solution showed that coptisine affected cell wall permeability. Transmission electron microscopy revealed that coptisine chloride destroyed the cell structure. In addition, coptisine blocked the respiratory system, as measured by the levels of critical enzymes of the tricarboxylic acid cycle and glycolysis, succinate dehydrogenase and lactate dehydrogenase, respectively. Similarly, coptisine inhibited the synthesis of soluble proteins and genomic DNA. The KEGG pathway analysis of the differentially expressed genes showed that they were associated with cellular, respiratory, and amino acid metabolism, which were downregulated after coptisine treatment. Additionally, genes related to RNA degradation and the aminoacyl-tRNA pathway were upregulated.

Conclusion

In this study, we demonstrated that coptisine exerts an antibacterial effect on P. multocida. These findings suggest that coptisine has a multifaceted impact on various pathways, resulting in the inhibition of P. multocida. Thus, coptisine is a potential alternative to antibiotics for the treatment of P. multocida infections in a clinical setting.

Tianhuang formula regulates adipocyte mitochondrial function by AMPK/MICU1 pathway in HFD/STZ-induced T2DM mice

BACKGROUND

Tianhuang formula (THF) is a Chinese medicine prescription that is patented and clinically approved, and has been shown to improve energy metabolism, but the underlying mechanism remains poorly understood. The purpose of this study is to clarify the potential mechanisms of THF in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

METHODS

A murine model of T2DM was induced by high-fat diet (HFD) feeding combined with low-dose streptozocin (STZ) injections, and the diabetic mice were treated with THF by gavaging for consecutive 10 weeks. Fasting blood glucose (FBG), serum insulin, blood lipid, mitochondrial Ca²⁺ (mCa²⁺) levels and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), as well as ATP production were analyzed. The target genes and proteins expression of visceral adipose tissue (Vat) was tested by RT-PCR and western blot, respectively. The underlying mechanism of the regulating energy metabolism effect of THF was further explored in the insulin resistance model of 3T3-L1 adipocytes cultured with dexamethasone (DXM).

RESULTS

THF restored impaired glucose tolerance and insulin resistance in diabetic mice. Serum levels of lipids were significantly decreased, as well as fasting blood glucose and insulin in THF-treated mice. THF regulated _mCa²⁺ uptake, increased MMP and ATP content in VAT. THF increased the mRNA and protein expression of AMPK, phosphorylated AMPK (p-AMPK), MICU1, sirtuin1 (SIRT1) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ coactivator-1α (PGC-1α). THF could increase the _mCa²⁺ level of 3T3-L1 adipocytes and regulate mitochondrial function. The protein expression of AMPK, p-AMPK, _mCa²⁺ uniporter (MCU) and MICU1 decreased upon adding AMPK inhibitor compound C to 3T3-L1 adipocytes and the protein expression of MCU and MICU1 decreased upon adding the MCU inhibitor ruthenium red.

CONCLUSIONS

These results demonstrated that THF ameliorated glucose and lipid metabolism disorders in T2DM mice through the improvement of AMPK/MICU1 pathway-dependent mitochondrial function in adipose tissue.

Research Progress on Neuroprotective Effects of Isoquinoline Alkaloids

Neuronal injury and apoptosis are important causes of the occurrence and development of many neurodegenerative diseases, such as cerebral ischemia, Alzheimer's disease, and Parkinson's disease. Although the detailed mechanism of some diseases is unknown, the loss of neurons in the brain is still the main pathological feature. By exerting the neuroprotective effects of drugs, it is of great significance to alleviate the symptoms and improve the prognosis of these diseases. Isoquinoline alkaloids are important active ingredients in many traditional Chinese medicines. These substances have a wide range of pharmacological effects and significant activity. Although some studies have suggested that isoquinoline alkaloids may have pharmacological activities for treating neurodegenerative diseases, there is currently a lack of a comprehensive summary regarding their mechanisms and characteristics in neuroprotection. This paper provides a comprehensive review of the active components found in isoquinoline alkaloids that have neuroprotective effects. It thoroughly explains the various mechanisms behind the neuroprotective effects of isoquinoline alkaloids and summarizes their common characteristics. This information can serve as a reference for further research on the neuroprotective effects of isoquinoline alkaloids.

Characterizing the specific mechanism of series processed Coptidis Rhizoma by multi-organ metabolomics combined with network pharmacology and molecular docking

BACKGROUND

After being processed with different excipients, the clinical application of Coptidis Rhizoma (CR) is differentially investigated. However, the underlying mechanism and material basis are not clear, and there is a lack of attention to the collaborative working mode of herbal medicine during exploration.

PURPOSE

To characterize the specific mechanism of wine/zingiberis rhizoma recens/euodiae fructus processed CR (wCR/zCR/eCR) and to investigate the role of excipients during processing.

METHODS

The multi-organ metabolomics approach was employed to explore the target organs of wCR/zCR/eCR and multiple pathways being triggered in each organ. The tissue distribution of CR and wCR/zCR/eCR components was compared to indicate the material basis of efficacy change after processing. Further, the network pharmacology study coupled with experimental validation was conducted to support metabolomic research and predicted active ingredients and core targets, and the molecular docking coupled with binding test was performed to identify the binding between active ingredient and core target.

RESULTS

The multi-organ metabolomics and network pharmacology study elucidated the intervening effect of wCR on heart/lung, zCR on stomach/colon, and eCR on liver/colon/stomach. Combined with molecular docking, binding test and tissue distribution studies, the specific mechanism was as follows: the wine made iso-quinoline alkaloids in CR more likely to accumulate in heart/lung, thus triggering the core targets of PTGS2, NOS2, ESR1 and SLC6A4 in heart/lung, and thereby highlighting the detoxifying and cardiopulmonary protective effect of wCR. The zingiberis rhizoma recens and euodiae fructus made organic acids in CR more likely to accumulate in stomach/colon and liver/colon/stomach respectively, thus triggering the core targets of ACTB, TNF and PRKCA in stomach/colon, the core targets of ACTB, TNF, PRKCA and GPT in stomach/colon/liver, and thereby highlighting the improving effect of zCR/eCR on digestive function.

CONCLUSION

Iso-quinoline alkaloids were the material basis of CR for anti-inflammation, and organic acids were mainly responsible for regulating gastrointestinal function. Due to the influence of excipients on the accumulation tendency of CR components, the differentially highlighted application of wCR/zCR/eCR was achieved. These findings propose a novel strategy for processing mechanism research.

Exploring the potential targets of Biling Weitong Granules on visceral hypersensitivity through integration of network pharmacology and in vivo analysis

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Biling Weitong Granules(BLWTG) are a newly developed traditional Chinese medicine prescription based on the ancient prescription Jinlingzi San and Zuojin Wan. It is used for the treatment of functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) featured as visceral hypersensitivity(VH). However, its active ingredients and protein targets involved still remain unknown.

AIM OF THE STUDY

To explore the potential targets of BLWTG for the treatment of visceral hypersensitivity.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Active components and their protein targets of BLWTG were screened from TCMSP database and the component-target network were constructed with Cytoscape software. Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) was the representative disease in this study and information on its linked pathways was obtained from NCBI, Drugbank and Genecard. Target pathways of BLWTG were analyzed through KEGG to verify the correlation with IBS related pathways.Then, the VH mouse models was induced by maternal separation(MS), randomly divided into normal saline(NS),BLWTG1(low-dosage) and BLWTG2(high-dosage) group. After intervention, threshold intensity of colorectal distension (CRD) and body weight were measured to evaluate relief of IBS symptoms. Elisa was performed to evaluate 5-HT concentration changes of colon tissues. Flow cytometry was performed to assess changes of colon eosinophils and mast cells proportion. Transcriptome sequencing was employed to analyze changes of pathways and differential genes.

RESULTS

199 protein targets and 132 active components of BLWTG were identified. KEGG analysis revealed the overlap between BLWTG target pathways and IBS related pathways such as neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction, tryptophan metabolism and inflammatory reaction. 34 genes were not only BLWTG target proteins but also recognized targets for treating IBS. After maternal separation(MS), the mice showed a significant decrease in threshold intensity of CRD, a progressive decrease in body weight and an increase of 5-HT concentration of colon tissue. The proportion of mast cells and eosinophils in the colon increased. Differential genes including Hp,Ido1 and Aqp7 were significantly increased in MS mice group and IBS-related pathways were upregulated. After treatment of BLWTG, threshold intensity of CRD and body weight were significantly improved and IBS related pathways were downregulated. In addition, among BLWTG protein targets, Il1b,Tnf,Adrb1 and Nos2 were found upregulated in MS + NS mice and downregulated after BLWTG intervention through combination of transcriptome sequencing.

CONCLUSIONS

In maternal separation-induced mouse models, BLWTG could alleviate visceral hypersensitivity, possibly through downregulation of 5-HT concentration and eosinophils and mast cells proportion in colon and critical pathways such as neuroactive ligand-receptor pathway. Potential targets of BLWTG including Il1b,Tnf,Adrb1 and Nos2 were found through integration of network pharmacology database and transcriptome sequencing, providing evidence for further study on mechanisms underlying visceral hypersensitivity.

Comprehensive analysis of the complete mitochondrial genomes of three Coptis species (C. chinensis, C. deltoidea and C. omeiensis): the important medicinal plants in China

Coptis plants (Ranunculaceae) contain high levels of isoquinoline alkaloids and have a long history of medicinal use. Coptis species are of great value in pharmaceutical industries and scientific research. Mitochondria are considered as one of the central units for receiving stress signals and arranging immediate responses. Comprehensive characterizations of plant mitogenomes are imperative for revealing the relationship between mitochondria, elucidating biological functions of mitochondria and understanding the environmental adaptation mechanisms of plants. Here, the mitochondrial genomes of C. chinensis, C. deltoidea and C. omeiensis were assembled through the Nanopore and Illumina sequencing platform for the first time. The genome organization, gene number, RNA editing sites, repeat sequences, gene migration from chloroplast to mitochondria were compared. The mitogenomes of C. chinensis, C. deltoidea and C. omeiensis have six, two, two circular-mapping molecules with the total length of 1,425,403 bp, 1,520,338 bp and 1,152,812 bp, respectively. The complete mitogenomes harbors 68-86 predicted functional genes including 39-51 PCGs, 26-35 tRNAs and 2-5 rRNAs. C. deltoidea mitogenome host the most abundant repeat sequences, while C. chinensis mitogenome has the largest number of transferred fragments from its chloroplasts. The large repeat sequences and foreign sequences in the mitochondrial genomes of Coptis species were related to substantial rearrangements, changes in relative position of genes and multiple copy genes. Further comparative analysis illustrated that the PCGs under selected pressure in mitochondrial genomes of the three Coptis species mainly belong to the mitochondrial complex I (NADH dehydrogenase). Heat stress adversely affected the mitochondrial complex I and V, antioxidant enzyme system, ROS accumulation and ATP production of the three Coptis species. The activation of antioxidant enzymes, increase of T-AOC and maintenance of low ROS accumulation in C. chinensis under heat stress were suggested as the factors for its thermal acclimation and normal growth at lower altitudes. This study provides comprehensive information on the Coptis mitogenomes and is of great importance to elucidate the mitochondrial functions, understand the different thermal acclimation mechanisms of Coptis plants, and breed heat-tolerant varieties.

An Ethanol Extract of Coptidis rhizoma Induces Apoptotic Cell Death in Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells and Suppresses Teratoma Formation

In cell-based regenerative medicine, induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) generated from reprogrammed adult somatic cells have emerged as a useful cell source due to the lack of ethical concerns and the low risk of immune rejection. To address the risk of teratoma formation, which is a safety issue in iPSC-based cell therapy, it is essential to selectively remove undifferentiated iPSCs remaining in the iPSC-derived differentiated cell product prior to in vivo transplantation. In this study, we explored whether an ethanol extract of coptidis rhizoma (ECR) exhibited anti-teratoma activity and identified the active components involved in the selective elimination of undifferentiated iPSCs. Transcriptome analysis of iPSCs confirmed that cell death-related pathways were significantly altered by ECR treatment. Our results demonstrate that ECR effectively induced apoptotic cell death and DNA damage in iPSCs, and that reactive oxygen species generation, mitochondrial damage, caspase activation, and p53 activation were involved in ECR-mediated iPSC death. However, in iPSC-derived differentiated cells (iPSC-Diff), reduced cell viability and the DNA damage response were not observed after ECR treatment. We co-cultured iPSCs and iPSC-Diff and found that ECR treatment selectively removed iPSCs, whereas iPSC-Diff remained intact. Prior to in ovo implantation, ECR treatment of a mixed cell culture of iPSCs and iPSC-Diff significantly suppressed iPSC-derived teratoma formation. Among the main components of the ECR, berberine and coptisine showed selective cytotoxicity to iPSCs but not to iPSC-Diff. Together, these results indicate the usefulness of ECRs in preparing safe and effective iPSC-based therapeutic cell products with no risk of teratoma formation.

The Role of Natural Products in the Improvement of Cancer-Associated Cachexia

The enormous library of natural products and herbal medicine prescriptions presents endless research avenues. However, the lack of research evidence and trials on cancer-induced cachexia limit the therapeutic potential of natural products. Cancer-induced cachexia is a systemic wasting syndrome characterized by continuous body weight loss with skeletal muscle and adipose tissue atrophy. Cancer cachexia is a problem in itself and reduces the quality of life by lessening the treatment efficacy of anticancer drugs. This review summarizes single natural product extracts for cancer-induced cachexia, not compounds derived from natural products and herbal medicine prescriptions. This article also discusses the effect of natural products on cachexia induced by anticancer drugs and the role of AMPK in cancer-induced cachexia. The article included the mice model used in each experiment to encourage researchers to utilize animal models for research on cancer-induced cachexia in the future.

Co-assembled nanocomplexes comprising epigallocatechin gallate and berberine for enhanced antibacterial activity against multidrug resistant Staphylococcus aureus

Berberine (BBR), a major alkaloid in Coptis chinensis, and (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), a major catechin in green tea, are two common phytochemicals with numerous health benefits, including antibacterial efficacy. However, the limited bioavailability restricts their application. Advancement in the co-assembly technology to form nanocomposite nanoparticles precisely controls the morphology, electrical charge, and functionalities of the nanomaterials. Here, we have reported a simple one-step method for preparing a novel nanocomposite BBR-EGCG nanoparticles (BBR-EGCG NPs). These BBR-EGCG NPs exhibit improved biocompatibility and greater antibacterial effects both in vitro and in vivo relative to free-BBR and first-line antibiotics (i.e., benzylpenicillin potassium and ciprofloxacin). Furthermore, we demonstrated a synergistic bactericidal effect for BBR when combined with EGCG. We also evaluated the antibacterial activity of BBR and the possible synergism with EGCG in MRSA-infected wounds. A potential mechanism for synergism between S. aureus and MRSA was also explored through ATP determination, the interaction between nanoparticles and bacteria, and, then, transcription analysis. Furthermore, our experiments on S. aureus and MRSA confirmed the biofilm-scavenging effect of BBR-EGCG NPs. More importantly, toxicity analysis revealed that the BBR-EGCG NPs had no toxic effects on the major organs of mice. Finally, we proposed a green method for the fabrication of BBR-EGCG combinations, which may provide an alternative approach to treating infections with MRSA without using antibiotics.