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Wang L, Guo Y, Sun X, Wang D, Xie T, Liu L, Sun L, Wei L. Mechanistic insights into targeting caspase-3 activation and alveolar macrophage pyroptosis by Ephedra and bitter almond compounds for treating pediatric pneumonia via network pharmacology and bioinformatics. Chem Biol Drug Des 2024; 103:e14487. [PMID: 38670559 DOI: 10.1111/cbdd.14487] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2023] [Revised: 01/14/2024] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024]
Abstract
This study investigates the molecular mechanism of Ma Huang-Ku Xing Ren, a traditional Chinese medicine formula, in treating pediatric pneumonia. The focus is on the regulation of caspase-3 activation and reduction of alveolar macrophage necrosis through network pharmacology and bioinformatics analyses of Ephedra and bitter almond components. Active compounds and targets from ephedrine and bitter almond were obtained using TCMSP, TCMID, and GeneCards databases, identifying pediatric pneumonia-related genes. A protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed, and core targets were screened. GO and KEGG pathway enrichment analyses identified relevant genes and pathways. An acute pneumonia mouse model was created using the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) inhalation method, with caspase-3 overexpression induced by a lentivirus. The mice were treated with Ephedra and bitter almond through gastric lavage. Lung tissue damage, inflammatory markers (IL-18 and IL-1β), and cell death-related gene activation were assessed through H&E staining, ELISA, western blot, flow cytometry, and immunofluorescence. The study identified 128 active compounds and 121 gene targets from Ephedra and bitter almond. The PPI network revealed 13 core proteins, and pathway analysis indicated involvement in inflammation, apoptosis, and cell necrosis, particularly the caspase-3 pathway. In vivo results showed that Ephedra and bitter almond treatment significantly mitigated LPS-induced lung injury in mice, reducing lung injury scores and inflammatory marker levels. It also decreased caspase-3 activity and cell death in alveolar macrophages. In conclusion, the active ingredients of Ma Huang-Ku Xing Ren, particularly targeting caspase-3, may effectively treat pediatric pneumonia by reducing apoptosis in alveolar macrophages, as demonstrated by both network pharmacology, bioinformatics analyses, and experimental data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Wang
- Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun, China
| | - Yinan Guo
- Department of Pediatrics, Affiliated Hospital to Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun, China
| | - Xiaozhou Sun
- Department of Pediatrics, Affiliated Hospital to Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun, China
| | - Dan Wang
- Department of Pediatrics, Affiliated Hospital to Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun, China
| | - Tianlong Xie
- Department of Pediatrics, Affiliated Hospital to Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun, China
| | - Liang Liu
- Department of Pediatrics, Affiliated Hospital to Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun, China
| | - Liping Sun
- Department of Pediatrics, Affiliated Hospital to Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun, China
| | - Lina Wei
- Department of Pediatrics, Affiliated Hospital to Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun, China
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Ge Q, Zhang Z, Cao Z, Wu D, Xu C, Yao J, Gao J, Feng Y. Exploration of the in vitro Antiviral Effects and the Active Components of Changyanning Tablets Against Enterovirus 71. Drug Des Devel Ther 2024; 18:651-665. [PMID: 38450095 PMCID: PMC10916518 DOI: 10.2147/dddt.s444625] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2023] [Accepted: 02/15/2024] [Indexed: 03/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Purpose This study aims to investigate the in vitro antiviral effects of the aqueous solution of Changyanning (CYN) tablets on Enterovirus 71 (EV71), and to analyze its active components. Methods The in vitro anti-EV71 effects of CYN solution and its herbal ingredients were assessed by testing the relative viral RNA (vRNA) expression level and the cell viability rates. Material basis analysis was performed using HPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS detection. Potential targets and active components were identified by network pharmacology and molecular docking. The screened components were verified by in vitro antiviral experiments. Results CYN solution exerted anti-EV71 activities as the vRNA is markedly reduced after treatment, with a half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) of 996.85 μg/mL. Of its five herbal ingredients, aqueous extract of Mosla chinensis (AEMC) and leaves of Liquidambar formosana Hance (AELLF) significantly inhibited the intracellular replication of EV71, and the IC50 was tested as 202.57 μg/mL and 174.77 μg/mL, respectively. Based on HPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS results, as well as the comparison with the material basis of CYN solution, a total of 44 components were identified from AEMC and AELLF. Through network pharmacology, AKT1, ALB, and SRC were identified as core targets. Molecular docking performed between core targets and the components indicated that 21 components may have anti-EV71 effects. Of these, nine were selected for in vitro pharmacodynamic verification, and only rosmarinic acid manifested in vitro anti-EV71 activity, with an IC50 of 11.90 μg/mL. Moreover, rosmarinic acid can stably bind with three core targets by forming hydrogen bonds. Conclusion CYN solution has inhibitory effects on EV71 replication in vitro, and its active component was identified as rosmarinic acid. Our study provides a new approach for screening and confirmation of the effective components in Chinese herbal preparation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiong Ge
- Key Laboratory of Public Health Detection and Etiological Research of Zhejiang Province, Department of Microbiology, Zhejiang Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310051, People’s Republic of China
| | - Zhewen Zhang
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310053, People’s Republic of China
| | - Zhiming Cao
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310053, People’s Republic of China
| | - Dan Wu
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Pharmaceutical Technology, Zhejiang Conba Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310057, People’s Republic of China
| | - Changping Xu
- Key Laboratory of Public Health Detection and Etiological Research of Zhejiang Province, Department of Microbiology, Zhejiang Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310051, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jianbiao Yao
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Pharmaceutical Technology, Zhejiang Conba Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310057, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jian Gao
- Key Laboratory of Public Health Detection and Etiological Research of Zhejiang Province, Department of Microbiology, Zhejiang Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310051, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yan Feng
- Key Laboratory of Public Health Detection and Etiological Research of Zhejiang Province, Department of Microbiology, Zhejiang Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310051, People’s Republic of China
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Yang M, Wang Y, Yue Y, Liang L, Peng M, Zhao M, Chen Y, Cao X, Li W, Li C, Zhang H, Du J, Zhong R, Xia T, Shu Z. Traditional Chinese medicines as effective agents against influenza virus-induced pneumonia. Biomed Pharmacother 2022; 153:113523. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2022.113523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2022] [Revised: 07/31/2022] [Accepted: 08/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022] Open
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Cui H, Zhang C, Zhang C, Cai Z, Chen L, Chen Z, Zhao K, Qiao S, Wang Y, Meng L, Dong S, Liu J, Guo Z. Anti-Influenza Effect and Mechanisms of Lentinan in an ICR Mouse Model. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 12:892864. [PMID: 35669119 PMCID: PMC9163413 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.892864] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2022] [Accepted: 04/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Influenza virus is a serious threat to global human health and public health security. There is an urgent need to develop new anti-influenza drugs. Lentinan (LNT) has attracted increasing attention in recent years. As potential protective agent, LNT has been shown to have anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory, and antiviral properties. However, there has been no further research into the anti-influenza action of lentinan in vivo, and the mechanism is still not fully understood. In this study, the anti-influenza effect and mechanism of Lentinan were studied in the Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) mouse model. The results showed that Lentinan had a high degree of protection in mice against infection with influenza A virus, delayed the emergence of clinical manifestations, improved the survival rate of mice, significantly prolonged the middle survival days, attenuated the weight loss, and reduced the lung coefficient of mice. It alleviated the pathological damage of mice infected with the influenza virus and improved blood indices. Lentinan treatment considerably inhibited inflammatory cytokine (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6) levels in the serum and lung and improved IFN-γ cytokine levels, which reduced cytokine storms caused by influenza virus infection. The underlying mechanisms of action involved Lentinan inhibiting the inflammatory response by regulating the TLR4/MyD88 signaling pathway. This study provides a foundation for the clinical application of Lentinan, and provides new insight into the development of novel immunomodulators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huan Cui
- Changchun Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agriculture Sciences, Changchun, China
- College of Animal Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Cheng Zhang
- Changchun Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agriculture Sciences, Changchun, China
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding, China
| | - Chunmao Zhang
- Changchun Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agriculture Sciences, Changchun, China
| | - Zhuming Cai
- Changchun Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agriculture Sciences, Changchun, China
| | - Ligong Chen
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding, China
| | - Zhaoliang Chen
- Changchun Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agriculture Sciences, Changchun, China
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding, China
| | - Kui Zhao
- College of Animal Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Sina Qiao
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding, China
| | - Yingchun Wang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding, China
| | - Lijia Meng
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding, China
| | - Shishan Dong
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding, China
- *Correspondence: Shishan Dong, ; Juxiang Liu, ; Zhendong Guo,
| | - Juxiang Liu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding, China
- *Correspondence: Shishan Dong, ; Juxiang Liu, ; Zhendong Guo,
| | - Zhendong Guo
- Changchun Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agriculture Sciences, Changchun, China
- *Correspondence: Shishan Dong, ; Juxiang Liu, ; Zhendong Guo,
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5
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Nishi A, Kaifuchi N, Shimobori C, Ohbuchi K, Iizuka S, Sugiyama A, Ogura K, Yamamoto M, Kuroki H, Nabeshima S, Yachie A, Matsuoka Y, Kitano H. Effects of maoto (ma-huang-tang) on host lipid mediator and transcriptome signature in influenza virus infection. Sci Rep 2021; 11:4232. [PMID: 33608574 PMCID: PMC7896050 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-82707-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2020] [Accepted: 01/22/2021] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Maoto, a traditional kampo medicine, has been clinically prescribed for influenza infection and is reported to relieve symptoms and tissue damage. In this study, we evaluated the effects of maoto as an herbal multi-compound medicine on host responses in a mouse model of influenza infection. On the fifth day of oral administration to mice intranasally infected with influenza virus [A/PR/8/34 (H1N1)], maoto significantly improved survival rate, decreased viral titer, and ameliorated the infection-induced phenotype as compared with control mice. Analysis of the lung and plasma transcriptome and lipid mediator metabolite profile showed that maoto altered the profile of lipid mediators derived from ω-6 and ω-3 fatty acids to restore a normal state, and significantly up-regulated the expression of macrophage- and T-cell-related genes. Collectively, these results suggest that maoto regulates the host’s inflammatory response by altering the lipid mediator profile and thereby ameliorating the symptoms of influenza.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akinori Nishi
- Tsumura Kampo Research Laboratories, Tsumura & Co., Ibaraki, Japan.
| | - Noriko Kaifuchi
- Tsumura Kampo Research Laboratories, Tsumura & Co., Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Chika Shimobori
- Tsumura Kampo Research Laboratories, Tsumura & Co., Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Katsuya Ohbuchi
- Tsumura Kampo Research Laboratories, Tsumura & Co., Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Seiichi Iizuka
- Tsumura Kampo Research Laboratories, Tsumura & Co., Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Aiko Sugiyama
- Tsumura Kampo Research Laboratories, Tsumura & Co., Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Keisuke Ogura
- Tsumura Kampo Research Laboratories, Tsumura & Co., Ibaraki, Japan
| | | | - Haruo Kuroki
- Sotobo Children's Clinic, Medical Corporation Shigyo-No-Kai, Isumi, Chiba, Japan
| | | | - Ayako Yachie
- The Systems Biology Institute, Shinagawa, Tokyo, Japan
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Lu YJ, Wu QF, Lu YY. Optimization of extraction conditions for active ingredients of Suye Huanglian Decoction and its anti-influenza effect in vivo. SEP SCI TECHNOL 2020. [DOI: 10.1080/01496395.2019.1666141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Yin-Jun Lu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, PR China
| | - Qiao-Feng Wu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, PR China
| | - Yi-Yu Lu
- Institute of Microbiology, Zhejiang Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Hangzhou, PR China
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Lee BW, Ha TKQ, Cho HM, An JP, Kim SK, Kim CS, Kim E, Oh WK. Antiviral activity of furanocoumarins isolated from Angelica dahurica against influenza a viruses H1N1 and H9N2. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2020; 259:112945. [PMID: 32389854 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2020.112945] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2020] [Revised: 04/16/2020] [Accepted: 05/01/2020] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Angelica dahurica (Hoffm.) Benth. & Hook.f. ex Franch. & Sav. (Umbelliferae family) is an herbaceous, perennial plant native to northern and eastern Asia. The root of A. dahurica has traditionally been used under the name "Bai Zhi" as a medicinal plant for colds, dizziness, ulcers, and rheumatism. Moreover, it is also an important ingredient of various prescriptions, such as Gumiganghwal-Tang, for the common cold and influenza. AIM OF THE STUDY Even though various biological activities of the root of A. dahurica have been reported along with its chemical components, the detailed mechanism of how it exerts anti-influenza activity at the compound level has not been studied. Therefore, we investigated the anti-influenza properties of furanocoumarins purified by bioactivity-guided isolation. MATERIALS AND METHODS Bioactivity-guided isolation from a 70% EtOH extract of the root of A. dahurica was performed to produce four active furanocoumarins. The inhibition of cytopathic effects (CPEs) was evaluated to ascertain the antiviral activity of these compounds against influenza A (H1N1 and H9N2) viruses. The most potent compound was subjected to detailed mechanistic studies such as the inhibition of viral protein synthesis, CPE inhibition in different phases of the viral replication cycle, neuraminidase (NA) inhibition, antiapoptotic activity using flow cytometry, and immunofluorescence. RESULTS The bioactivity-guided isolation produced four active furanocoumarins, isoimperatorin (1), oxypeucedanin (2), oxypeucedanin hydrate (3) and imperatorin (4) from the n-BuOH fraction. Among them, compound 2 (followed by compounds 1, 4 and 3) showed a significant CPE inhibition effect, which was stronger than that of the positive control ribavirin, against both H1N1 and H9N2 with an EC50 (μM) of 5.98 ± 0.71 and 4.52 ± 0.39, respectively. Compound 2 inhibited the synthesis of NA and nucleoprotein (NP) in a dose-dependent manner. In the time course assays, the cytopathic effects of influenza A-infected MDCK cells were reduced by 80-90% when treated with compound 2 for 1 and 2 h after infection and declined drastically 3 h after infection. The level of viral NA and NP production was markedly reduced to less than 20% for both proteins in compound 2 (20 μM)-treated cells compared to untreated cells at 2 h after infection. In the molecular docking analysis, compound 2 showed a stronger binding affinity for the C-terminus of polymerase acidic protein (PAC; -36.28 kcal/mol) than the other two polymerase subunits. Compound 2 also exerted an antiapoptotic effect on virus infected cells and significantly inhibited the mRNA expression of caspase-3 and Bax. CONCLUSION Our results suggest that compound 2 might exert anti-influenza A activity via the inhibition of the early phase of the viral replication cycle, not direct neutralization of surface proteins, such as hemagglutinin and NA, and abnormal apoptosis induced by virus infection. Taken together, these findings suggest that furanocoumarins predominant in A. dahurica play a pivotal role in its antiviral activity. These findings can also explain the reasons for the ethnopharmacological uses of this plant as an important ingredient in many antiviral prescriptions in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM).
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Affiliation(s)
- Ba Wool Lee
- Korea Bioactive Natural Material Bank, Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Thi Kim Quy Ha
- Korea Bioactive Natural Material Bank, Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, Republic of Korea; College of Natural Sciences, Cantho University, Campus II, Cantho City, Viet Nam
| | - Hyo Moon Cho
- Korea Bioactive Natural Material Bank, Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Jin-Pyo An
- Korea Bioactive Natural Material Bank, Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Seong Kyun Kim
- Choong Ang Vaccine Laboratory, 1476-37, Yuseong-daero, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, 34055, Republic of Korea
| | - Choong-Sik Kim
- Choong Ang Vaccine Laboratory, 1476-37, Yuseong-daero, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, 34055, Republic of Korea
| | - Eunhee Kim
- Choong Ang Vaccine Laboratory, 1476-37, Yuseong-daero, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, 34055, Republic of Korea
| | - Won Keun Oh
- Korea Bioactive Natural Material Bank, Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, Republic of Korea.
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Pei L, Gao X, Liu W, Feng X, Zhao Z, Lai Y. Lapiferin protects against H1N1 virus-induced pulmonary inflammation by negatively regulating NF-kB signaling. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2020; 53:e9183. [PMID: 32901688 PMCID: PMC7485324 DOI: 10.1590/1414-431x20209183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2019] [Accepted: 05/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
H1N1 virus-induced excessive inflammatory response contributes to severe disease and high mortality rates. There is currently no effective strategy against virus infection in lung. The present study evaluated the protective roles of a natural compound, lapiferin, in H1N1 virus-induced pulmonary inflammation in mice and in cultured human bronchial epithelial cells. Initially, Balb/C mice were grouped as Control, H1N1 infection (intranasally infected with 500 plaque-forming units of H1N1 virus), lapiferin (10 mg/kg), and H1N1+lapiferin (n=10/group). Lung histology, expression of inflammatory factors, and survival rates were assessed after 14 days of exposure. Administration of lapiferin significantly alleviated the virus-induced inflammatory infiltrate in lung tissues. Major pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, were decreased at both mRNA and protein levels by lapiferin administration in the lung homogenate. Lapiferin also reduced inflammatory cell numbers in bronchoalveolar fluid. Mechanistically, lapiferin suppressed the transcriptional activity and protein expression of NF-κB p65, causing inhibition on NF-κB signaling. Pre-incubation of human bronchial epithelial cells with an NF-κB signaling specific activator, ceruletide, significantly blunted lapiferin-mediated inhibition of pro-inflammatory cytokines secretion in an air-liquid-interface cell culture experiment. Activation of NF-κB signaling also blunted lapiferin-ameliorated inflammatory infiltrate in lungs. These results suggested that lapiferin was a potent natural compound that served as a therapeutic agent for virus infection in the lung.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lishu Pei
- Department of Respiration, The Second Hospital of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Xuejin Gao
- Department of Respiration, Xiqing Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Wen Liu
- Department of Respiration, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Xiao Feng
- Department of Respiration, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Zhongquan Zhao
- Department of Respiration, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Yanping Lai
- Department of Respiration, The Second Hospital of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
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Gao D, Niu M, Wei SZ, Zhang CE, Zhou YF, Yang ZW, Li L, Wang JB, Zhang HZ, Zhang L, Xiao XH. Identification of a Pharmacological Biomarker for the Bioassay-Based Quality Control of a Thirteen-Component TCM Formula (Lianhua Qingwen) Used in Treating Influenza A Virus (H1N1) Infection. Front Pharmacol 2020; 11:746. [PMID: 32523531 PMCID: PMC7261828 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2020.00746] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2019] [Accepted: 05/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
As chemical analysis for quality control (QC) of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formula is difficult to guarantee the effectiveness, a bioassay method that combines QC with evaluation of therapeutic effects has been developed to assess the TCM quality. Here, we chose a thirteen-component TCM formula, Lianhua Qingwen capsule (LHQW), as a representative sample, to explore the pivotal biomarkers for a bioassay and to investigate close association between QC and pharmacological actions. Initially, our results showed that chemical fingerprinting could not effectively distinguish batches of LHQW. Pharmacological experiments indicated that LHQW could treat influenza A virus (H1N1) infection in the H1N1 mouse model, as claimed in clinical trials, by improving pathologic alterations and bodyweight loss, and decreasing virus replication, lung lesions and inflammation. Furthermore, by using serum metabolomics analysis, we identified two important metabolites, prostaglandin F2α and arachidonic acid, and their metabolic pathway, arachidonic acid metabolism, as vital indicators of LHQW in treatment of influenza. Subsequently, macrophages transcriptomics highlighted the prominent role of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) as the major rate-limiting enzyme in the arachidonic acid metabolism pathway. Finally, COX-2 was validated by in vivo gene expression and in vitro enzymatic activity with 43 batches of LHQW as a viable pharmacological biomarker for the establishment of bioassay-based QC. Our study provides systematic methodology in the pharmacological biomarker exploration for establishing the bioassay-based QC of LHQW or other TCM formulas relating to their pharmacological activities and mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan Gao
- Department of Pharmacy, Xuanwu Hospital of Capital Medical University, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Diseases, Beijing Engineering Research Center for Nervous System Drugs, Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders, Key Laboratory for Neurodegenerative Diseases of Ministry of Education, Beijing, China.,Department of China Military Institute of Chinese Materia, the Fifth Medical Centre, Chinese PLA (People's Liberation Army) General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Ming Niu
- Department of China Military Institute of Chinese Materia, the Fifth Medical Centre, Chinese PLA (People's Liberation Army) General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Shi-Zhang Wei
- Department of China Military Institute of Chinese Materia, the Fifth Medical Centre, Chinese PLA (People's Liberation Army) General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Cong-En Zhang
- Department of China Military Institute of Chinese Materia, the Fifth Medical Centre, Chinese PLA (People's Liberation Army) General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Yong-Feng Zhou
- Department of China Military Institute of Chinese Materia, the Fifth Medical Centre, Chinese PLA (People's Liberation Army) General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Zheng-Wei Yang
- Department of Pharmacy, the Sixth Medical Center, Chinese PLA (People's Liberation Army) General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Lin Li
- Department of Pharmacy, Xuanwu Hospital of Capital Medical University, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Diseases, Beijing Engineering Research Center for Nervous System Drugs, Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders, Key Laboratory for Neurodegenerative Diseases of Ministry of Education, Beijing, China
| | - Jia-Bo Wang
- Department of China Military Institute of Chinese Materia, the Fifth Medical Centre, Chinese PLA (People's Liberation Army) General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Hai-Zhu Zhang
- College of Pharmacy and Chemistry, Dali University, Dali, China
| | - Lan Zhang
- Department of Pharmacy, Xuanwu Hospital of Capital Medical University, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Diseases, Beijing Engineering Research Center for Nervous System Drugs, Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders, Key Laboratory for Neurodegenerative Diseases of Ministry of Education, Beijing, China
| | - Xiao-He Xiao
- Department of China Military Institute of Chinese Materia, the Fifth Medical Centre, Chinese PLA (People's Liberation Army) General Hospital, Beijing, China
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Metabolite Profile Changes in Different Regions of Rat Brain Affected by Ephedra sinica. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE 2020; 2020:8358039. [PMID: 32419830 PMCID: PMC7201840 DOI: 10.1155/2020/8358039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2019] [Revised: 03/12/2020] [Accepted: 04/02/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Ephedra sinica Stapf (EP) has a long medication history dating back centuries in the world. There were some reports of adverse effects in the central nervous system (CNS) resulting from administration of a drug containing EP or ephedrine. Compared with alkaloid monomer compounds, the effects of EP on the CNS are usually neglected. It is necessary to explore CNS affection which is helpful to use EP rationally. However, the affection and the changes of substances by EP in the brain are still unknown because the effects of drug on the brain also exhibit different tendency and distribution and usually lead to diversity of metabolite alteration in different regions. In this study, metabolomics based on different brain regions was used to investigate the affection mechanism of EP in the CNS. The metabolites in 6 brain regions from a rat that underwent oral administration with EP for 14 days were determined by UPLC/Q-TOF-MS. Brain histological examinations showed that there were no obvious lesions in EP administration groups. Partial least square-discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) displayed that there were significant separations between control and EP administration groups. 7 CNS biomarkers were found and identified in different regions. 3 metabolic pathways were disturbed by EP, including amino acid metabolism, phospholipid metabolism, and amino sugar metabolism. Furthermore, all biomarkers were significantly changed in the cortex after administration. This study may be helpful to understand the affection mechanism of EP in the CNS and improve cognition of brain regional characteristics.
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Assessment of the Aromatase Inhibitory Activity of Ma-Huang-Tang (MHT) and Its Active Compounds. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE 2020; 2019:4809846. [PMID: 31929813 PMCID: PMC6935813 DOI: 10.1155/2019/4809846] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2019] [Accepted: 11/13/2019] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Aromatase, a cytochrome P450 enzyme that converts androgens into estrogens, is an important drug target for hormone-dependent diseases. The purpose of this study was to elucidate the aromatase inhibitory effects of Ma-Huang-Tang (MHT), a traditional Korean herbal medicine prescription, and to identify its active ingredients. In this study, the inhibitory effect of MHT on aromatase activity was observed using dibenzylfluorescein (DBF) and KGN cells, and the dose-dependent effect of MHT was verified (IC50 values of 251 μg/mL and 246 μg/mL as determined by the two methods, respectively). Furthermore, among the six herbal medicines that constitute MHT, Ephedrae Herba, Cinnamomi Ramulus, and Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma showed the most potent inhibition of aromatase activity. Furthermore, upon identification of the active MHT compounds, three markers from Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, liquiritin (5), liquiritin apioside (6), and liquiritigenin (7), were verified (IC50 values of 530 μM, 508 μM, and 1.611 mM and 499 μM, 522 μM, and 1.41 mM as determined by the two methods, respectively). In addition, their contents were confirmed to be 15.58, 19.80, and 2.22 mg/g, respectively, by HPLC/DAD analysis. These results indicate that the aromatase inhibitory effect of MHT results from the synergistic action of its active components and that MHT has potential as a preventive agent against aromatase activity.
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Eng YS, Lee CH, Lee WC, Huang CC, Chang JS. Unraveling the Molecular Mechanism of Traditional Chinese Medicine: Formulas Against Acute Airway Viral Infections as Examples. Molecules 2019; 24:E3505. [PMID: 31569633 PMCID: PMC6804036 DOI: 10.3390/molecules24193505] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2019] [Revised: 09/12/2019] [Accepted: 09/21/2019] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Herbal medicine, including traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), is widely used worldwide. Herbs and TCM formulas contain numerous active molecules. Basically, they are a kind of cocktail therapy. Herb-drug, herb-food, herb-herb, herb-microbiome, and herb-disease interactions are complex. There is potential for both benefit and harm, so only after understanding more of their mechanisms and clinical effects can herbal medicine and TCM be helpful to users. Many pharmacologic studies have been performed to unravel the molecular mechanisms; however, basic and clinical studies of good validity are still not enough to translate experimental results into clinical understanding and to provide tough evidence for better use of herbal medicines. There are still issues regarding the conflicting pharmacologic effects, pharmacokinetics, drug interactions, adverse and clinical effects of herbal medicine and TCM. Understanding study validation, pharmacologic effects, drug interactions, indications and clinical effects, adverse effects and limitations, can all help clinicians in providing adequate suggestions to patients. At present, it would be better to use herbs and TCM formulas according to their traditional indications matching the disease pathophysiology and their molecular mechanisms. To unravel the molecular mechanisms and understand the benefits and harms of herbal medicine and TCM, there is still much work to be done.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Shin Eng
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan.
| | - Chien Hsing Lee
- Department of Pharmacology, Graduate Institute of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan.
- Department of Medical Research, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan.
| | - Wei Chang Lee
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 0708, Taiwan.
| | - Ching Chun Huang
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan.
| | - Jung San Chang
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan.
- Department of Renal Care, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, 100 Shih-Chuan 1st Road, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan.
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Wei W, Du H, Shao C, Zhou H, Lu Y, Yu L, Wan H, He Y. Screening of Antiviral Components of Ma Huang Tang and Investigation on the Ephedra Alkaloids Efficacy on Influenza Virus Type A. Front Pharmacol 2019; 10:961. [PMID: 31551774 PMCID: PMC6747051 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2019.00961] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2019] [Accepted: 07/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Although Ma Huang Tang (MHT) has long been considered as a classical formula for respiratory infections like influenza, bronchitis and asthma, its chemical ingredients that really exert the main efficacy are still obscure. In this study we aimed to screen its antiviral components and investigate the potential mechanisms. The MDCK cellular research results showed that, among nine predominant ingredients of MHT, L-methylephedrin (LMEP), L-ephedrine (LEP) and D-pseudo- ephedrine (DPEP) significantly inhibited the proliferation of influenza A virus in vitro, and the inhibitory effect at 24 h after the treatment was more obvious than that at 48 h. They also significantly inhibited the mRNA expression levels of related genes in the TLR3, TLR4 and TLR7 signaling pathways, which were accompanied with the down-regulation of TNF-α level and the up-regulation of IFN-β level in the cell supernatant. Therefore, three Ephedra alkaloids exert an antiviral effect in vitro which may be closely related to the inhibition of viral replication and the modulation of inflammatory response. Animal research further indicated, at the 3rd and 7th days after infection, LEP and DPEP significantly attenuated lung injury, decreased lung index, virus load in the lung and the level of IL-1β in serum, inhibited the mRNA expression levels of TNF-α, TLR3, TLR4, TLR7, MyD88, NF-κB p65 and RIG-1 as well as the protein expression levels of TLR4, TLR7, MyD88 and NF-κB p65 and markedly increased thymus index, the level of IL-10 in serum and the mRNA expression level of IFN-γ. LEP and DPEP have certain protective effects on the influenza virus-infected mice, which may be associated with their abilities of effectively alleviating lung injury, improving the immunologic function of infected mice and adjusting the host's TLRs and RIG-1 pathways. The overall findings demonstrate that, as effective and inexpensive natural substances, Ephedra alkaloids and MHT may have potential utility in clinical management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenyang Wei
- College of Pharmaceutical Science, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Haixia Du
- College of Basic, Medical Science, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Chongyu Shao
- College of Life Science, Zhejiang Chinese, Medical University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Huifen Zhou
- College of Life Science, Zhejiang Chinese, Medical University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yiyu Lu
- Institute of Microbiology, Zhejiang Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Hangzhou, China
| | - Li Yu
- College of Life Science, Zhejiang Chinese, Medical University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Haitong Wan
- College of Life Science, Zhejiang Chinese, Medical University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yu He
- College of Pharmaceutical Science, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
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