Pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic modeling analysis for hydroxysafflor yellow A-calycosin in compatibility in normal and cerebral ischemic rats: A comparative study

Mechanistic insights into synergistic effects using coupled PK-PD modeling

Develop a novel coupled PK-PD model and apply it to quantitatively evaluate the synergistic effects of Hydroxysafflor Yellow A (HSYA) combined with Calycosin (CA) in the treatment of ischemic stroke. A total of 6 rats were modelled for middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). Plasma was collected from the submandibular venous plexus of rats after the administration of HSYA and CA, and was detected and analyzed by LC-MS method. The plasma expression levels of Caspase-9, IL-1β and SOD in rats were also determined by ELISA kit. Meanwhile, a coupled PK-PD model was proposed, incorporating interaction terms between drugs and coupling of pharmacodynamic effects, to quantitatively reveal their interactions. Moreover, a numerical solution technique based on optimization methods was proposed, enabling the model to be effectively applied to experimental data. Based on the coupled PK model, HSYA and CA significantly increased each other's metabolic rates. The model also showed that CA had a larger apparent volume of distribution and clearance in rats, while HSYA had a shorter mean retention time and elimination half-life. The coupled PK-PD model indicated a synergistic effect between HSYA and CA on all three pharmacodynamic markers, with HSYA contributing more significantly. Despite individual variability among the six rats, the parameter interpretations remained consistent. The proposed coupled PK-PD model and its numerical solution algorithm successfully revealed the synergistic effects of HSYA and CA in the treatment of ischemic stroke. This model lays the foundation for future models with more complex interactions and effects.

Neuropharmacological effects of calycosin: a translational review of molecular mechanisms and therapeutic applications

Calycosin, a naturally occurring isoflavonoid found predominantly in Astragalus membranaceus, exhibits significant therapeutic potential in various neurological conditions. Its multifaceted bioactive properties-antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic-position it as a promising candidate for neuroprotection and neuroregeneration. This review explores calycosin's mechanisms of action, including its modulation of key signaling pathways such as HMGB1/TLR4/NF-κB (high mobility group box 1/toll-like receptor 4/nuclear factor kappa B), phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3 K)/Akt, ERK1/2 (extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2), and Hsp90/Akt/p38. In cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury, calycosin reduces oxidative stress markers like ROS (reactive oxygen species) and MDA (malondialdehyde), enhances antioxidant enzymes (SOD (superoxide dismutase) and GPX (glutathione peroxidase)), and downregulates pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β) through the HMGB1/TLR4/NF-κB pathway. It also inhibits autophagy via the STAT3/FOXO3a pathway and apoptosis by modulating Bax and Bcl-2 expression. In neuro-oncology, calycosin inhibits glioblastoma cell migration and invasion by modulating the TGF-β-mediated mesenchymal properties and suppressing the c-Met and CXCL10 signaling pathways. Additionally, it enhances the efficacy of temozolomide in glioma treatment through apoptotic pathways involving caspase-3 and caspase-9. Calycosin shows promise in Alzheimer's disease by reducing β-amyloid production and tau hyperphosphorylation via the GSK-3β pathway and improving mitochondrial function through the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1-Alpha (PGC-1α)/mitochondrial transcription factor A (TFAM) signaling pathway. In Parkinson's disease, calycosin mitigates oxidative stress, prevents dopaminergic neuronal death, and reduces neuroinflammation by inhibiting the TLR/NF-κB and MAPK pathways. It has also shown therapeutic potential in meningitis and even neuroprotective effects against hyperbilirubinemia-induced nerve injury. Despite these promising findings, further research, including detailed mechanistic studies and clinical trials, is needed to fully understand calycosin's therapeutic mechanisms and validate its potential in human subjects. Developing advanced delivery systems and exploring synergistic therapeutic strategies could further enhance its clinical application and effectiveness.

Hydroxysafflor yellow A: a natural pigment with potential anticancer therapeutic effect

Hydroxysafflor yellow A (HSYA), a natural pigment with a chalcone structure extracted from Carthamus tinctorius L. (Safflower), has been widely proven to have good efficacy on cardiovascular diseases, atherosclerosis, cancer, and diabetes. However, no study has reported on the anticancer mechanisms of Hydroxysafflor yellow A (HSYA), a principal bioactive compound in safflower. This review discusses recent developments in the physicochemical properties and sources, pharmacological effects and mechanisms, pharmacokinetic progress, and safety of HSYA, focusing on the involvement of HSYA in the regulation of related pathways and mechanisms of apoptosis, autophagy, and the tumor immune microenvironment in a variety of cancers. This can serve as a theoretical basis for further research and development of HSYA, with insights into the mechanisms of anticancer signaling pathways.

The Effect of Hydroxysafflor Yellow A on Inflammatory Injury in LPS-induced Endothelial Cell Injury Model through TLR4/NF-κB Pathway Based on Network Pharmacology and Experimental Verification

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study is to search for hydroxysafflor yellow A (HSYA) and Idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (ISSNHL)-related target genes and to study the treatment effects of HSYA on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced endothelial cell injury.

METHODS

We used network pharmacology to screen molecules related to HSYA and ISSNHL, then analyzed these molecules and their enriched biological processes and signaling pathways via Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) and Gene Ontology (GO). We selected inflammation-related hub genes for molecular docking determination by protein-protein interaction (PPI) analysis, and further verified them with in vitro experiments.

RESULTS

Thirty-four HSYA-ISSNHL-related differential genes were obtained using drug-disease differential gene screening using online tools. Three key proteins, NF-κB, CASP3, and MAPK1, were selected according to Degree > 20. Among them, NF-κB is closely related to inflammation and ISSNHL. In in vitro experiments, HSYA reduced inflammatory (IL-6, TNF- α) and oxidative stress (ROS, SOD and MDA) indicators after LPS intervention, and the expression of NF-κB-related signaling pathway genes.

CONCLUSION

HSYA may reduce inflammation and oxidative stress by inhibiting the expression of the TLR4 / NF-κB-related signaling pathway, therefore protecting endothelial cells, which might be a potential mechanism of HSYA in ISSNHL treatment.

Integrated pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic modeling and metabolomic research on polyphenol-rich fraction of Thymus quinquecostatus Celak. Alleviating cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Thymus quinquecostatus Celak., a member of thymus genus in Lamiaceae family, has been used as a folk medicine for relieving exterior syndrome and alleviating pain in China. The polyphenol-rich fraction (PRF) derived from Thymus quinquecostatus Celak. had been validated that it can protect cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury (CIRI) by activating Keap1/Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway.

AIM OF THIS STUDY

To explore effective components and their pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic characteristics as well as possible mechanisms of PRF in treating CIRI.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Normal treated group (NTG) and tMCAO model treated group (MTG) rats were administrated PRF intragastrically. The prototype components and metabolites of PRF in plasma and brain were analyzed by the UPLC-Q-Exactive Orbitrap MSn method. Subsequently, the pharmacokinetics properties of indicative components were performed based on HPLC-QQQ-MS/MS. SOD and LDH activities were determined to study the pharmacodynamic (PD) properties of PRF. The PK-PD relationship of PRF was constructed. In addition, the effect of PRF on endogenous metabolites in plasma and brain was investigated using metabolomic method.

RESULTS

Salvianic acid A, caffeic acid, rosmarinic acid, scutellarin, and apigenin-7-O-glucuronide were selected as indicative components based on metabolic analysis. The non-compartmental parameters were calculated for indicative components in plasma and brain of NTG and MTG rats. Furthermore, single-component and multi-component PK-PD modeling involved Emax, Imax PD models for effect indexes were fitted as well as ANN models were established, which indicated that these components can work together to regulate SOD and LDH activities in plasma and SOD activity in brain tissue to improve CIRI. Additionally, PRF may ameliorate CIRI by regulating the disorder of endogenous metabolites in lipid metabolism, amino acid metabolism, and purine metabolism pathways in vivo, among which lipid metabolism and purine metabolism are closely related to oxidative stress.

CONCLUSION

The PK-PD properties of effect substances and mechanisms of PRF anti-CIRI were further elaborated. The findings provide a convincing foundation for the application of T. quinquecostatus Celak. in the maintenance of human health disorders.

LC-MS based metabonomics study on protective mechanism of ESWW in cerebral ischemia via CYTC/Apaf-1/NDRG4 pathway

BACKGROUND

Ershiwuwei Zhenzhu pills was originally recorded in the Tibetan medical book Si Bu Yi Dian in the 8th century AD and is now included in the Pharmacopoeia of the People's Republic of China (2020). The pills can calm the nerves and open the mind as well as treat cerebral ischemia reperfusion injury, stroke, hemiplegia. However, its quality standards have not yet been established, and the therapeutic effect on cerebral ischemia by regulating the mitochondrial apoptosis pathway has not been elucidated.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

LC-MS was used to establish quality standards for Ershiwuwei Zhenzhu pills. Metabonomics, molecular docking, neuroethology, cerebral infarction ratio, pathological detection of diencephalon, cortex, and hippocampus, and molecular biology techniques were used to reveal the mechanism of the pills in regulating the mitochondrial apoptosis pathway to treat cerebral ischemia.

RESULTS

The contents of 20 chemical components in Ershiwuwei Zhenzhu pills from 12 batches and 8 manufacturers was determined for the first time. Eleven differential metabolites and three metabolic pathways, namely, fructose and mannose metabolism, glycerophospholipid metabolism, and purine metabolism, were identified by metabonomics. The pills improved the neuroethology abnormalities of MCAO rats and the pathological damage in the diencephalon and decreased the ratio of cerebral infarction. It also significantly reduced the mRNA expression of AIF, Apaf-1, cleared caspase8, CytC, and P53 mRNA in the brain tissue and the protein expression of Apaf-1 and CYTC and increased the protein expression of NDRG4.

CONCLUSION

In vitro quantitative analysis of the in vitro chemical components of Ershiwuwei Zhenzhu pills has laid the foundation for improving its quality control. The potential mechanism of the pills in treating cerebral ischemia may be related to the Apaf-1/CYTC/NDRG4 apoptosis pathway. This work provides guidance for clinical drug use for patients.

Pharmacokinetic-Pharmacodynamic Correlation Analysis of Rhodiola crenulata in Rats with Myocardial Ischemia

The pharmacokinetics (PK) of Rhodiola crenulata in rats were studied, and pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic (PK-PD) correlation analysis was performed to elucidate their time-concentration-effect relationship. The myocardial ischemia model was made with pituitrin. Rats were divided into sham operation, sham operation administration, model, and model administration groups (SG, SDG, MG, and MDG, respectively; n = 6). Blood was collected from the fundus venous plexus at different time points after oral administration. The HPLC-QQQ-MS/MS method was established for the quantification of five components of Rhodiola crenulata. CK, HBDH, SOD, LDH, and AST at different time points were detected via an automatic biochemical analyzer. DAS software was used to analyze PK parameters and PK-PD correlation. The myocardial ischemia model was established successfully. There were significant differences in the PK parameters (AUC0-t, AUC0-∞, Cmax) in MDG when compared with SDG. Two PD indicators, CK and HBDH, conforming to the sigmoid-Emax model, had high correlation with the five components, which indicated a delay in the pharmacological effect relative to the drug concentration in plasma. The difference in the PK parameters between modeled and normal rats was studied, and the time-concentration-effect of composition and effect indicators were investigated. This study can provide reference for the rational clinical application of Rhodiola crenulata and for related studies of other anti-myocardial ischemia drugs.

The brief overview, antivirus and anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity, quantitative methods, and pharmacokinetics of cepharanthine: a potential small-molecule drug against COVID-19

To effectively respond to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), an increasing number of researchers are focusing on the antiviral activity of cepharanthine (CEP), which is a clinically approved drug being used for over 70 years. This review aims to provide a brief overview of CEP and summarize its recent findings in quantitative analysis, pharmacokinetics, therapeutic potential, and mechanism in antiviral and anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity. Given its remarkable capacity against SARS-CoV-2 infection in vitro and in vivo, with its primary target organ being the lungs, and its good pharmacokinetic profile; mature and stable manufacturing technique; and its advantages of safety, effectiveness, and accessibility, CEP has become a promising drug candidate for treating COVID-19 despite being an old drug.

Pharmacokinetic analysis for simultaneous quantification of Saikosaponin A- paeoniflorin in normal and poststroke depression rats: A comparative study

Bupleurum and Paeonia are common compatibilities for the treatment of depression, most of which are used in classical prescriptions. The main active ingredients saikosaponin A (SSA) and paeoniflorin (PF) have significant therapeutic effects on poststroke depression (PSD). However, the pharmacokinetic (PK) behavior based on the combination of the two components has not been reported in rats. The aim of this study was to compare the pharmacokinetic characteristics of combined administration of SSA and PF in normal and PSD rats. Plasma samples were collected after SSA and PF were injected into the rat tail vein, and plasma pretreatments were analyzed by HPLC. Based on the concentration levels of SSA and PF in plasma, Drug and Statistics 3.2.6 (DAS 3.2.6) software was used to establish the blood drug concentration model. PK data showed that compared with the normal rats, the values of related parameters t_1/2α, AUC_(0-t), AUC_(0-∞) were decreased in diseased rats, while the values of CL₁ was increased. These findings suggest that PSD can significantly affect the PK parameters of SSA-PF. This study established a PK model to explore the time-effect relationship, in order to provide experimental and theoretical support for clinical application.

Study and exploration of the pharmacokinetics of traditional Tibetan medicine Ruyi Zhenbao tablets after single and long-term administration

Tibetan medicine is one of the oldest traditional medicine systems in the world. Taking the Ruyi Zhenbao tablet (RYZB) as an example, which is a widely used classic oral Tibetan medicine, this article discusses the pharmacokinetics of single administration and long-term treatment and analyzed its metabolic properties and tissue distribution in vivo. After single administration, blood samples were collected before administration and at different time points after administration in different groups of rats. In the study of long-term treatment effects, blood samples were collected from the animals in each group on days 1, 15, and 30 and on day 15 after withdrawal. The results showed that after a single administration, the dose change had no significant effect on the T_1/2 and T_max of agarotetrol, isoliquiritigenin, and piperine (p > 0.05). There was a certain correlation between the increase in AUC_0-t and the C_max of agarotetrol, isoliquiritigenin, piperine, and the increase in dosage, with a dose range of 0.225–0.900 g/kg. There were no significant differences in C_max and AUC_0-t of ferulic acid at different doses (p > 0.05). Meanwhile, there was no significant sex-based difference in the pharmacokinetic parameters of these four components in rats. After long-term administration, the distribution agarotetrol in various tissues of rats was kidney > liver > heart > brain; the tissue distribution in low- and medium-dose groups of isoliquiritigenin was liver > kidney > heart > brain, and in the high-dose group, kidney > liver > heart > brain. The tissue distribution of piperine in each dose group was liver > kidney > heart > brain, and that of ferulic acid in each dose group was kidney > liver > heart > brain. Through the establishment of the previously developed methodology, the pharmacokinetic properties of RYZB were analyzed after a single administration and long-term administration. Our findings confirmed this approach for the exploration and establishment of a pharmacokinetic evaluation of Tibetan medicine, to support its guiding role in clinical application, but also to accelerate research into Tibetan medicine theory and medicine and to provide a solid foundation for the translation of Tibetan medicine throughout the world.