1H NMR-based metabolomics revealed the protective effects of Guilingji on the testicular dysfunction of aging rats

Integrated untargeted and targeted testicular metabolomics to reveal the regulated mechanism of Gushudan on the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis of kidney-yang-deficiency-syndrome rats

Modern studies have shown that neuroendocrine disorders caused by the dysfunction of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis are one of the important pathogenetic mechanisms of kidney-yang-deficiency-syndrome (KYDS). The preventive effect of Gushudan on KYDS has been reported, but its regulatory mechanisms on the HPG axis have not been elucidated. In this study, we developed an integrated untargeted and targeted metabolomics analysis strategy to investigate the regulatory mechanism of Gushudan on the HPG axis in rats with KYDS. In untargeted metabolomics, we screened 14 potential biomarkers such as glycine, lysine, and glycerol that were significantly associated with the HPG axis. To explore the effect of changes in the levels of potential biomarkers on KYDS, all of them were quantified in targeted metabolomics. With the quantitative results, correlations between potential biomarkers and testosterone, a functional indicator of the HPG axis, were explored. The results showed that oxidative stress, inflammatory response, and energy depletion, induced by metabolic disorders in rats, were responsible for the decrease in testosterone levels. Gushudan improves metabolic disorders and restores testosterone levels, thus restoring HPG axis dysfunction. This finding elucidates the special metabolic characteristics of KYDS and the therapeutic mechanism of Gushudan from a new perspective.

Exploration of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum P101 ameliorated the alcohol-induced testicular dysfunction based on metabolome analysis

The decline in male sperm quality caused by multiple factors has become a widespread concern. Alcohol excessive consumption is one of the factors that induce testicular dysfunction. Testicular dysfunction caused by alcohol abuse is related to oxidative stress and inflammation. Probiotics can ameliorate alcohol-induced testicular dysfunction. However, the specific mechanism is not explicit. This study aimed to elucidate the underlying mechanism by which Lactiplantibacillus plantarum P101 ameliorates the alcohol-induced testicular dysfunction. The model of alcohol-induced testicular dysfunction in C57B/6 male mice was established according to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, and Lactiplantibacillus plantarum P101 supplementation was orally administered to mice during the experiment. The results showed that Lactiplantibacillus plantarum P101 promoted androgen production, reduced testis inflammation, and improved testis antioxidant capacity, thereby improving sperm quality and sperm motility and ultimately ameliorating alcohol-induced testicular disorder. Three key metabolite pathways and six key metabolites were identified by metabolome analysis.

Comprehensive metabolomic variations of hawthorn before and after insect infestation based on the combination analysis of 1H NMR and UPLC-MS

Hawthorn, the sliced and dried ripe fruits of Crataegus pinnatifida Bge. Var. Major N. E. Br. (Rosaceae), is an edible and medicinal substance with a variety of health-promoting benefits. Hawthorn needs to be stored in warehouses after harvesting to meet people's perennial demand. However, it is easily infested by insects of Plodia interpunctella and Tribolium castaneum during storage, which inevitably leads to poor quality and causes adverse effects on people's health. So far, there has been no report on insect-infested hawthorn. In this study, we analyzed the changes of metabolites in hawthorn before and after insect infestation and screened out potential biomarkers to effectively and quickly detect the occurrence of insect infestation. A combination analysis of 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and ultra-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS) was used to identify the primary and secondary metabolites. By the comparison of hawthorn and insect-infested hawthorn samples, it was found that the differences were mainly manifested in the content of metabolites. The metabolites of 32 and 1463 were identified by 1H NMR and UPLC-MS analysis, respectively. According to the parameters of VIP >1 and P < 0.05, 10 differential metabolites were screened from 1H NMR analysis. Based on the parameters of VIP >1.0, P < 0.05, and (FC) > 1 or < 1, 47 differential metabolites were screened from UPLC-MS analysis. Therefore, a total of 57 differential metabolites were considered as differential biomarkers. The heat map analysis showed that the content of some differential biomarkers with significant pharmacological activities decreased after insect infestation. Through receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve assessment, 52 differential biomarkers (6 of 1H NMR analysis and 46 of UPLC-MS analysis) were screened to distinguish whether insect infestation occurred in hawthorn. This is the first report on the changes of metabolites between hawthorn and insect-infested hawthorn and on the screening of differential biomarkers for monitoring insects. These results contributed to evaluate quality of hawthorn and ensure food safety for consumers. It also laid a foundation for further research on the infestation mechanism and safe storage monitoring in hawthorn.

A Systematic Review of In Vivo Studies of the Efficacy of Herbal Medicines for Anti-Aging in the Last Five Years

Background: The world’s population is rapidly aging, and attention to and research on the increase in life expectancy and age-related diseases are needed. This study aimed to review the in vivo studies on the anti-aging effects of herbal medicines. Methods: In vivo studies of single or complex herbal medicines for anti-aging that were published in the last five years were included in this review. The following databases were used: PubMed, Scopus, ScienceDirect, Web of Science and EMBASE. Results: A total of 41 studies were considered eligible for the review. The articles were classified into body organs and functions, experimental country, herbal medicine, extraction method, administration route, dosage, duration, animal model, aging-induced method, sex, number of animals per group, and outcomes and mechanisms A single herbal extract was used in a total of 21 studies including Alpinia oxyphylla Miq., Acanthopanax senticosus and Lyceum barbarum, and a multi-compound herbal prescription was used in a total of 20 studies, including Modified Qiongyu paste, Wuzi Yanzong recipe, etc. Each herbal medicine had anti-aging effects on learning and memory, cognition, emotion, internal organs, gastrointestinal tracts, sexual functions, musculoskeletal function and so on. The common mechanisms of action were antioxidant and anti-inflammatory, and various effects and mechanisms for each organ and function were identified. Conclusions: Herbal medicine exhibited beneficial effects on anti-aging in various parts of the body and its function. Further investigation of the appropriate herbal medicine prescriptions and their components is recommended.

Brain and testicular metabonomics revealed the protective effects of Guilingji on senile sexual dysfunction rats

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Guilingji (GLJ), which has been used to treat male diseases in China for centuries, contains 28 Chinese herbs and was previously established as an effective treatment for male sexual dysfunction. However, its mechanism of action remains unclear.

AIM OF THE STUDY

To explore the efficacy and mechanism of action of GLJ in improving senile sexual dysfunction (SSD) in aging rats.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

An aging rat model of SSD was induced by the subcutaneous injection of d-galactose (300 mg⋅kg^-1) and used to analyse the effects of GLJ (different concentrations of 37.5, 75, and 150 mg⋅kg^-1) on the mating of aging rats. At the end of the 8th week, histopathological analysis of testicular tissues, assessment of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis hormone levels in serum or brain, and metabonomics analysis of the brain and testicular tissue with liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry was performed to explore the mechanism of action of GLJ.

RESULT

After treatment with GLJ, the mount and ejaculation latency levels were increased in the treatment group than those in model group (P < 0.05), moreover, the testicular morphology was improved. Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) levels in rats were also improved significant (P < 0.05) compared with those in the model group. Furthermore, the metabonomics results in the testicular and brain tissue showed that GLJ improved SSD by adjusting amino acid and lipid metabolism.

CONCLUSION

This study integrated the complementary metabolic profiles of the target tissues. GLJ might affect SSD rats by regulating amino acid and lipid metabolism and may modulate sensitivity to the signaling pathway in the HPG axis. This study provides an essential basis for the broad clinical application of GLJ.

Machine Learning Approaches in Traditional Chinese Medicine: A Systematic Review

Machine learning (ML), as a branch of artificial intelligence, acquires the potential and meaningful rules from the mass of data via diverse algorithms. Owing to all research of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) belonging to the digitalization of clinical records or experimental works, a massive and complex amount of data has become an inextricable part of the related studies. It is thus not surprising that ML approaches, as novel and efficient tools to mine the useful knowledge from data, have created inroads in a diversity of scopes of TCM over the past decade of years. However, by browsing lots of literature, we find that not all of the ML approaches perform well in the same field. Upon further consideration, we infer that the specificity may inhere between the ML approaches and their applied fields. This systematic review focuses its attention on the four categories of ML approaches and their eight application scopes in TCM. According to the function, ML approaches are classified into four categories, including classification, regression, clustering, and dimensionality reduction, and into 14 models as follows in more detail: support vector machine, least square-support vector machine, logistic regression, partial least squares regression, k-means clustering, hierarchical cluster analysis, artificial neural network, back propagation neural network, convolutional neural network, decision tree, random forest, principal component analysis, partial least squares-discriminant analysis, and orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis. The eight common applied fields are divided into two parts: one for TCM, such as the diagnosis of diseases, the determination of syndromes, and the analysis of prescription, and the other for the related researches of Chinese herbal medicine, such as the quality control, the identification of geographic origins, the pharmacodynamic material basis, the medicinal properties, and the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics. Additionally, this paper discusses the function and feature difference among ML approaches when they are applied to the corresponding fields via comparing their principles. The specificity of each approach to its applied fields has also been affirmed, whereby laying a foundation for subsequent studies applying ML approaches to TCM.

The Effect of Guilingji Capsules on Vascular Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Controlled Trial

Guilingji capsules (GLJC) have been shown to have antiaging effects and improve cognitive function. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of GLJC for the treatment of vascular mild cognitive impairment (VaMCI). A total of 96 patients with VaMCI (aged 60–85 years) were enrolled in this 24-week, randomized, double-blind, controlled clinical trial. The patients were randomly assigned to a GLJC group (n = 48) or a Ginkgo group (n = 48). Patients in the GLJC group were treated using GLJC, whereas those in the Ginkgo group received Ginkgo extract tablets. We evaluated the participants at baseline and after a 12- and 24-week treatment period using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale-Cognitive Subscale (ADAS-Cog), and Chinese Medicine Symptom Scale (CM-SS). The serum acetylcholine (Ach), acetylcholinesterase (AchE), homocysteine (Hcy), and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) serum levels of the patients were measured before and after 24-week treatment. Analysis of the results of both groups showed that both interventions significantly increased the MoCA and MMSE scores of the patients and decreased their ADAS-Cog and CM-SS scores (P < 0.05). The GLJC group showed greater improvement in MoCA, MMSE, and CM-SS scores than the Ginkgo group (P < 0.05). However, both groups showed a significant increase in serum Ach and a decrease in serum AchE, Hcy, and hs-CRP levels (P < 0.05). Furthermore, serum Ach increased and Hcy decreased more significantly in the GLJC group than in the Ginkgo group (P < 0.05). These findings indicate that GLJC can improve the cognitive function, cholinergic system, and inflammatory cytokine levels of patients with VaMCI. Furthermore, this treatment can improve symptoms of syndromes diagnosed according to traditional Chinese medicine practice in patients with VaMCI.

Guilingji Protects Against Spermatogenesis Dysfunction From Oxidative Stress via Regulation of MAPK and Apoptotic Signaling Pathways in Immp2l Mutant Mice

Male infertility is a major health issue with an estimated prevalence of 4.2% of male infertility worldwide. Oxidative stress (OS) is one of the main causes of male infertility, which is characterized by excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) or lack of antioxidants. Meanwhile, it is reported that oxidative stress plays an important role in the spermatogenic impairment in Inner mitochondrial membrane peptidase 2-like (Immp2l) mutant mice. In this study, we focused on the potential mechanism of Guilingji in protecting the spermatogenic functions in Immp2l mutant mice. The results revealed that Immp2l mutant mice exhibit impaired spermatogenesis and histology shows seminiferous tubules with reduced spermatogenic cells. After administration of Guilingji [150 mg/kg per day intragastric gavage], however, alleviated spermatogenesis impairment and reversed testis histopathological damage and reduced apoptosis. What’s more, western blotting and the levels of redox classic markers revealed that Guilingji can markedly reduce reactive oxygen species. Moreover, Guilingji treatment led to inhibition of the phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), regulated apoptosis in the cells. In summary, Guilingji can improve spermatogenesis in Immp2l mutant mice by regulating oxidation-antioxidant balance and MAPK pathway. Our data suggests that Guilingji may be a promising and effective antioxidant candidate for the treatment of male infertility.

1H NMR Combined with Multivariate Statistics for Discrimination of Female and Male Flower Buds of Populus tomentosa

¹H Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (¹H NMR) combined with multivariate statistics was adopted to discriminate female and male flower buds of Populus tomentosa in the study. Samples of 11 female and 16 male flower buds of P. tomentosa were collected in Beijing, China. ¹H NMR spectra were acquired on a 400 MHz spectrometer. In total, 30 chemical compounds were identified with standards and literature according to chemical shifts, peak areas, and multiplicity. Principal component analysis (PCA), hierarchical clustering analysis (HCA), and supervised orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) were applied to discriminate female and male flower buds. An apparent grouping trend (R²X, 0.809; Q², 0.903) between female and male groups was exhibited with PCA and HCA. The two groups were also well discriminated with OPLS-DA (R²X, 0.808; R²Y, 0.976; Q², 0.960). Combined with variable importance in projection (VIP) > 1.0 and p < 0.05 of OPLS-DA, it was found that the content of daucosterol, β-sitosterol, ursolic acid, and betulonic acid in male group was higher than that in female, which should be the key differences of chemical constituents in female and male flower buds of P. tomentosa. The study demonstrated that ¹H NMR combined with multivariate statistics could be used to discriminate female and male plants and clarify differences, which provided a novel method to identify the gender of dioecious plants.

Characterization of multiple chemical components of GuiLingJi by UHPLC-MS and 1H NMR analysis

GuiLingJi (GLJ), a classic traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formula, is composed of over 20 herbs, according to the Pharmacopeia of the People's Republic of China. Owing to its various activities, GLJ has been used in clinical settings for more than 400 years in China. However, the ambiguous chemical material basis limits the development of studies on the quality control and pharmacological mechanisms of GLJ. Therefore, comprehensive characterization of the multiple chemical components of GLJ is of great significance for the modernization of this formula. Given the great variety of herbs in GLJ, both UHPLC-MS and ¹H NMR techniques were employed in this study. In addition, solvent extraction with different polarities was used to eliminate signal interference and the concentration of trace components. A variety of MS analytic methods were also used, including implementation of a self-built compound database, diagnostic ion filtering, mass defect filtering, and Compound Discoverer 3.0 analysis software. Based on the above strategies, a total of 150 compounds were identified, including 5 amino acids, 13 phenolic acids and glycosides, 11 coumarins, 72 flavones, 20 triterpenoid and triterpenoid saponins, 23 fatty acids, and 6 other compounds. Moreover, 13 compounds were identified by ¹H NMR spectroscopy. The UHPLC-MS and ¹H NMR results supported and complemented each other. This strategy provides a rapid approach to analyzing and identifying the chemical composition of Chinese herbal prescriptions. The current study provides basis for further research on the quality control and pharmacological mechanism of GLJ.

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The integrated approach of UHPLC-MS and ¹H NMR techniques coupled with polarity partition strategy has been used for comprehensively characterizing the multiple chemical components of GLJ.

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A variety of HRMS analytic methods used included self-built compounds database, diagnostic ions filtering, mass defect filtering, and software analysis for rapid identification the chemical components of GLJ.

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The 163 compounds including flavones, phenolic acids and glycosides, triterpenoid and triterpenoid saponins, coumarin, fatty acids, amino acids, organic acids, organic bases and sugars were rapidly identified, and to clarify the chemical material basis of GLJ.

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Established an analysis strategy which could be applied to other TCM formula for comprehensive characterization and identification of chemical components.

The utility of nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy in assisted reproduction

Infertility affects approximately 15-20% of individuals of reproductive age worldwide. Over the last 40 years, assisted reproductive technology (ART) has helped millions of childless couples. However, ART is limited by a low success rate and risk of multiple gestations. Devising methods for selecting the best gamete or embryo that increases the ART success rate and prevention of multiple gestation has become one of the key goals in ART today. Special emphasis has been placed on the development of non-invasive approaches, which do not require perturbing the embryonic cells, as the current morphology-based embryo selection approach has shortcomings in predicting the implantation potential of embryos. An observed association between embryo metabolism and viability has prompted researchers to develop metabolomics-based biomarkers. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy provides a non-invasive approach for the metabolic profiling of tissues, gametes and embryos, with the key advantage of having a minimal sample preparation procedure. Using NMR spectroscopy, biologically important molecules can be identified and quantified in intact cells, extracts or secretomes. This, in turn, helps to map out the active metabolic pathways in a system. The present review covers the contribution of NMR spectroscopy in assisted reproduction at various stages of the process.

Integrated adrenal and testicular metabolomics revealed the protective effects of Guilingji on the Kidney-Yang deficiency syndrome rats

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Guilingji (GLJ) is a well-known traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) prescription for the treatment of Kidney-Yang deficiency syndrome (KYDS).

AIM OF THE STUDY

This study aimed to address the protective effects of GLJ against KYDS in rats with pharmacodynamic indicators and target tissues (adrenal gland and testis) metabolomics.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The rats were injected intraperitoneally (i.p) hydrocortisone to simulate KYDS and administered orally of GLJ for 30 days. Traditional pharmacodynamic indicators (body weight, behavioral indicators, biochemical parameters and histological examination) were performed to evaluate the efficacy of GLJ. Furthermore, adrenal gland and testis metabolic profiles obtained by UHPLC-Q Exactive Orbitrap-MS coupled with multivariate analysis were conducted to explore the metabolic regulation mechanism of GLJ.

RESULTS

After administration of GLJ, the weight, levels of behavioral indicators and biochemical parameters of rats were increased compared with those of the model group, and the abnormalities of morphology in adrenal and testicular tissues were improved. Furthermore, GLJ had recovering effects via the adjustment of vitamins metabolism, which was accompanied by lipids metabolism, amino acid metabolism and nucleotides metabolism.

CONCLUSIONS

The study firstly integrated the target tissues metabolic profiles, which were complementary, and GLJ had protective effects on KYDS rats via the regulation of steroid hormone biosynthesis, oxidant-antioxidant balance and energy acquisition.

Ginsenoside Rb1 retards aging process by regulating cell cycle, apoptotic pathway and metabolism of aging mice

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Ginsenoside Rb1 (GRb1), an active ingredient of traditional Chinese medicine Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer, has displayed various activities such as antioxidative stress, autophagic regulation and apoptotic inhibition. However, the role of GRb1 in natural aging process remains unclear.

AIM OF THE STUDY

In this study, we investigated the anti-aging effect and underlying molecular mechanisms of ginsenoside Rb1 in natural aging process.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We treated the natural aging C57BL/6J mice by intragastrical administration of GRb1 (100 mg/kg·BW) every other day for 10 months and investigated the effect of GRb1 on aging symptoms. By RT-qPCR and WB analysis, we examined the expression levels of senescence-associated biomarkers and aging-related pathways, including cell cycle, apoptosis and inflammation in aging process. Further, metabolomics analysis was conducted to investigate the changes of aging-related metabolites after GRb1 treatment.

RESULTS

Treatment with GRb1 significantly attenuated the aging-induced physiological changes, including slowed reduction of body weight, suppression of hair loss, decrease of arterial wall thickness and heart weight. We found that GRb1 treatment remarkably reversed the changed expression of p53-p21-Cdk2 axis in heart tissues of aging mice, which was responsible for the cell cycle repression. And the activations of apoptosis-associated factors (Bax and Caspase-3) were also inhibited by GRb1 treatment. Further, based on the serum metabolomics analysis using HPLC-MS/MS analysis, several metabolites were identified as potential biomarkers related to the anti-aging effect of GRb1, including glycerophospholipids, carboxylic acids and fatty acyls. Especially, the change of glycerophospholipid metabolism pathway was found to be the mostly changed.

CONCLUSION

Our studies suggest that GRb1 retards the aging process in mice by regulating cell cycle and apoptotic pathway, which were associated with the alleviation of metabolic disorders.