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Chen T, Zhou X, Zhu M, Chen X, Chang D, Lin Y, Xu W, Zheng Y, Li S, Song J, Huang M. Phytochemical determination and mechanistic investigation of Polygala tenuifolia root (Yuanzhi) extract for bronchitis: UPLC-MS/MS analysis, network pharmacology and in vitro/in vivo evaluation. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2024; 333:118418. [PMID: 38838926 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2024.118418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2024] [Revised: 05/21/2024] [Accepted: 06/02/2024] [Indexed: 06/07/2024]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Bronchitis is a respiratory disease characterized by a productive cough. Polygala tenuifolia Willd., commonly known as Yuan zhi, is a traditional Chinese herbal medicine used for relieving cough and removing phlegm. Despite its historical use, studies are lacking on the effectiveness of P. tenuifolia in treating bronchitis. Furthermore, the molecular mechanisms underlying the action of its bioactive compounds remain unknown. AIM OF THE STUDY This study aims to identify the main bioactive compounds responsible for the effects of P. tenuifolia liquid extract (PLE) in treating bronchitis and to elucidate the associated molecular mechanisms. MATERIALS AND METHODS The main chemical compounds in PLE were identified and determined using ultra-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS). The antitussive, expectorant and anti-inflammatory activities of PLE were evaluated in an ammonia-induced mouse cough model, a tracheal phenol red excretion mouse model, and a xylene-induced ear swelling mouse model, respectively. A network pharmacology analysis was conducted to investigate the associated gene targets, gene ontology, and KEGG pathways related to the main bioactives in PLE targeting bronchitis. PLE and its five bioactive compounds were assessed for their potential anti-inflammatory activities in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW264.7 cells. Western blot analysis was conducted to elucidate the associated molecular mechanisms. RESULTS Thirty-seven compounds in PLE were identified, and twelve main compounds were further quantified in PLE using UPLC-MS/MS. PLE oral gavage administrations (0.6 and 0.12 mg/kg) for 7 days markedly reduced cough frequency, prolonged latency period of cough, reduced phlegm and inflammation in mice. The network pharmacology analysis identified 57 gene targets of PLE against bronchitis. The PI3K/AKT and MAPK signalling pathways were the top two modulated pathways. In RAW264.7 cells, PLE (12.5-50 μg/mL) significantly reduced cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α. PLE downregulated LPS-elevated protein targets in both PI3K/AKT and MAPK signaling pathways. In PLE, tenuifolin, polygalaxanthone ⅠⅠⅠ, polygalasaponin ⅩⅩⅤⅢ, tenuifoliside B, and 3,6'-Disinapoyl sucrose, were identified as the top five core components responsible for treating bronchitis. These compounds were also found to modulate the protein targets in the PI3K/AKT and MAPK signalling pathways. CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrated the potential therapeutic effects of PLE on bronchitis by reducing cough, phlegm and inflammation. The anti-inflammatory action and molecular mechanisms of the 5 main bioactive compounds in PLE were partly validated through the in vitro assays. The findings provide valuable insights into the mechanisms underlying the traditional use of PLE for bronchitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tao Chen
- College of Pharmacy, Fujian Key Laboratory of Chinese Materia Medica, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, 350108, China
| | - Xian Zhou
- NICM Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University, Westmead, NSW, 2145, Australia
| | - Mingxing Zhu
- College of Chinese Medicine, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, 350108, China
| | - Xueting Chen
- College of Pharmacy, Fujian Key Laboratory of Chinese Materia Medica, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, 350108, China
| | - Dennis Chang
- NICM Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University, Westmead, NSW, 2145, Australia
| | - Yifan Lin
- Fujian Institute for Food and Drug Quality Control, Fuzhou, 350001, China
| | - Wen Xu
- College of Pharmacy, Fujian Key Laboratory of Chinese Materia Medica, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, 350108, China
| | - Yanfang Zheng
- College of Pharmacy, Fujian Key Laboratory of Chinese Materia Medica, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, 350108, China.
| | - Shaohua Li
- College of Pharmacy, Fujian Key Laboratory of Chinese Materia Medica, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, 350108, China.
| | - Jianyuan Song
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou, Fujian province, 350001, China.
| | - Mingqing Huang
- College of Pharmacy, Fujian Key Laboratory of Chinese Materia Medica, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, 350108, China.
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Yun HM, Kim E, Kwon YJ, Park KR. Vanillin Promotes Osteoblast Differentiation, Mineral Apposition, and Antioxidant Effects in Pre-Osteoblasts. Pharmaceutics 2024; 16:485. [PMID: 38675146 PMCID: PMC11054936 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics16040485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2024] [Revised: 03/19/2024] [Accepted: 03/29/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Antioxidant vanillin (4-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzaldehyde) is used as a flavoring in foods, beverages, and pharmaceuticals. Vanillin possesses various biological effects, such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and anticancer properties. This study aimed to investigate the biological activities of vanillin purified from Adenophora triphylla var. japonica Hara on bone-forming processes. Vanillin treatment induced mineralization as a marker for mature osteoblasts, after stimulating alkaline phosphatase (ALP) staining and activity. The bone-forming processes of vanillin are mainly mediated by the upregulation of the bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP2), phospho-Smad1/5/8, and runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2) pathway during the differentiation of osteogenic cells. Moreover, vanillin promoted osteoblast-mediated bone-forming phenotypes by inducing migration and F-actin polymerization. Furthermore, we validated that vanillin-mediated bone-forming processes were attenuated by noggin and DKK1. Finally, we demonstrated that vanillin-mediated antioxidant effects prevent the death of osteoblasts during bone-forming processes. Overall, vanillin has bone-forming properties through the BMP2-mediated biological mechanism, indicating it as a bone-protective compound for bone health and bone diseases such as periodontitis and osteoporosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyung-Mun Yun
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, School of Dentistry, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 02447, Republic of Korea
| | - Eonmi Kim
- National Development Institute of Korean Medicine, Gyeongsan 38540, Republic of Korea; (E.K.); (Y.-J.K.)
| | - Yoon-Ju Kwon
- National Development Institute of Korean Medicine, Gyeongsan 38540, Republic of Korea; (E.K.); (Y.-J.K.)
| | - Kyung-Ran Park
- Korea Basic Science Institute (KBSI), Gwangju 61751, Republic of Korea
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Song L, Wang J, Gong M, Duan Y, Zhang Y, Li Y, Qin L, He Q, Ji L, Zhang T, Wu X, Wang Y. Investigation of the principle of concoction by using the processing excipient Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch. juice to reduce the main toxicity of Dioscorea bulbifera L. and enhance its main efficacy as expectorant and cough suppressant. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2024; 319:117372. [PMID: 37913830 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2023.117372] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2023] [Revised: 10/22/2023] [Accepted: 10/28/2023] [Indexed: 11/03/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Dioscorea bulbifera L. (Rhizoma Dioscoreae Bulbiferae; RDB) is commonly used as an expectorant and cough suppressant herb but is accompanied by severe hepatotoxicity. Using the juice of auxiliary herbs (such as Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch. (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma; GRR) juice) in concocting poisonous Chinese medicine is a conventional method to reduce toxicity or increase effects. Our previous study found that concoction with GRR juice provided a detoxifying effect against the major toxic hepatotoxicity induced by RDB, but the principle for the detoxification of the concoction is unknown to date. AIM OF THE STUDY The principle of concoction was investigated by using the processing excipient GRR juice to reduce the major toxic hepatotoxicity of RDB, and the efficacy of RDB as an expectorant and cough suppressant was enhanced. MATERIALS AND METHODS In this study, common factors (RDB:GRR ratio, concocted temperature, and concocted time) in the concoction process were used for the preparation of each RDB concocted with GRR juice by using an orthogonal experimental design. We measured the content of the main toxic compound diosbulbin B (DB) and serum biochemical indicators and performed pathological analysis in liver tissues of mice to determine the best detoxification process of RDB concocted with GRR juice. On this basis, the biological mechanisms of target organs were detected by Western blot and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay at the inflammation and apoptosis levels. Further, the effects of RDB on expectorant and cough suppressant with GRR juice were evaluated by the conventional tests of phenol red expectorant and concentrated ammonia-induced cough. Lastly, the major compounds in the GRR juice introduced to RDB concoction were determined. RESULTS RDB concocted with GRR juice significantly alleviated DB content, serum alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase levels, and improved liver pathological damages. The best detoxification process was achieved by using an RDB:GRR ratio of 100:20 at 120 °C for 20 min. Further, RDB concocted with GRR juice down-regulated the protein levels of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2), and Bcl-2 related X protein (Bax) in the liver and enhanced the expectorant and cough suppressant effects of RDB. Finally, liquiritin (LQ) and glycyrrhizic acid (GA) in the GRR juice were introduced to the RDB concoction. CONCLUSION Concoction with GRR juice not only effectively reduced the major toxic hepatotoxicity of RDB but also enhanced its main efficacy as an expectorant and cough suppressant, and that the rationale for the detoxification and/or potentiation of RDB was related to the reduction in the content of the main hepatotoxic compound, DB, the introduction of the hepatoprotective active compounds, LQ and GA, in the auxiliary GRR juice, as well as the inhibition of NF-κB/COX-2/Bax signaling-mediated inflammation and apoptosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lingling Song
- College of Pharmacy, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, 450046, China.
| | - Junming Wang
- College of Pharmacy, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, 450046, China; Co-construction Collaborative Innovation Center for Chinese Medicine and Respiratory Diseases by Henan & Education Ministry of PR China, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, 450046, China.
| | - Mingzhu Gong
- College of Pharmacy, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, 450046, China.
| | - Yaqian Duan
- College of Pharmacy, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, 450046, China.
| | - Yueyue Zhang
- College of Pharmacy, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, 450046, China.
| | - Yamin Li
- College of Pharmacy, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, 450046, China.
| | - Lingyu Qin
- College of Pharmacy, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, 450046, China.
| | - Qingwen He
- College of Pharmacy, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, 450046, China.
| | - Lijie Ji
- College of Pharmacy, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, 450046, China.
| | - Tianzhu Zhang
- College of Pharmacy, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, 450046, China.
| | - Xiaohui Wu
- College of Pharmacy, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, 450046, China.
| | - Yanmei Wang
- College of Pharmacy, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, 450046, China.
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Jung CJ, Park SM, Lee DG, Yu YE, Ku TH, La IJ, Cho IJ, Ku SK. Adenophora Stricta Root Extract Alleviates Airway Inflammation in Mice with Ovalbumin-Induced Allergic Asthma. Antioxidants (Basel) 2023; 12:antiox12040922. [PMID: 37107297 PMCID: PMC10135616 DOI: 10.3390/antiox12040922] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2023] [Revised: 04/08/2023] [Accepted: 04/11/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Adenophora stricta Miq. (Campanulaceae family) is a traditional herb used for relieving cough and phlegm in East Asia. This study explored the effects of A. stricta root extract (AsE) in ovalbumin (OVA)-induced allergic asthma and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated macrophages. Administration of 100-400 mg/kg AsE dose-dependently decreased pulmonary congestion and suppressed the reduction of alveolar surface area in mice with OVA-mediated allergic asthma. Histopathological analysis of lung tissue and cytological analysis of bronchioalveolar lavage fluid showed that AsE administration significantly attenuated inflammatory cell infiltration into the lungs. In addition, AsE also alleviated OVA-specific immunoglobulin E, interleukin (IL)-4, and IL-5 production, which are essential for OVA-dependent activation of T helper 2 lymphocytes. In Raw264.7 macrophage cells, AsE significantly blocked nitric oxide, tumor necrosis factor-α, IL-1β, IL-6, and monocyte chemoattractant factor-1 production in response to LPS. Results from an immunoblot assay revealed that AsE inhibited the phosphorylation of c-jun N-terminal kinase, inhibitory-κB kinase α/β, and p65 in LPS-stimulated cells. Furthermore, 2-furoic acid, 5-hydroxymethylfurfural, and vanillic acid 4-β-D-glucopyranoside in AsE were shown to inhibit the production of proinflammatory mediators by LPS. Taken together, the present results suggest that A. stricta root will be a useful herb for relieving allergic asthma through managing airway inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheol-Jong Jung
- Department of Histology and Anatomy, College of Korean Medicine, Daegu Haany University, Gyeongsan 38610, Republic of Korea
- Central Research Center, Okchundang Inc., Daegu 41059, Republic of Korea
| | - Seok-Man Park
- Department of Histology and Anatomy, College of Korean Medicine, Daegu Haany University, Gyeongsan 38610, Republic of Korea
- Central Research Center, Okchundang Inc., Daegu 41059, Republic of Korea
| | - Dae-Geon Lee
- Department of Histology and Anatomy, College of Korean Medicine, Daegu Haany University, Gyeongsan 38610, Republic of Korea
- Central Research Center, Okchundang Inc., Daegu 41059, Republic of Korea
| | - Yeong-Eun Yu
- Central Research Center, Okchundang Inc., Daegu 41059, Republic of Korea
| | - Tae-Hun Ku
- Okchundang Korean Medicine Clinic, Ulsan 44900, Republic of Korea
| | - Im-Joung La
- Atomy R&D Center, Gongju 32511, Republic of Korea
| | - Il-Je Cho
- Central Research Center, Okchundang Inc., Daegu 41059, Republic of Korea
| | - Sae-Kwang Ku
- Department of Histology and Anatomy, College of Korean Medicine, Daegu Haany University, Gyeongsan 38610, Republic of Korea
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Park SM, Jung CJ, Lee DG, Choi BR, Ku TH, La IJ, Cho IJ, Ku SK. Adenophora Stricta Root Extract Protects Lung Injury from Exposure to Particulate Matter 2.5 in Mice. Antioxidants (Basel) 2022; 11:antiox11071376. [PMID: 35883867 PMCID: PMC9312037 DOI: 10.3390/antiox11071376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2022] [Revised: 07/07/2022] [Accepted: 07/14/2022] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic exposure of particulate matter of less than 2.5 μm (PM2.5) has been considered as one of the major etiologies for various respiratory diseases. Adenophora stricta Miq. is a medicinal herb that has been used for treating respiratory diseases in East Asia. The present study investigated the effect of A. stricta root extract (AsE) on PM2.5-induced lung injury in mice. Oral administration of 100-400 mg/kg AsE for 10 days significantly reduced the PM2.5-mediated increase in relative lung weight, but there was no difference in body weight with AsE administration. In addition, AsE dose-dependently decreased congested region of the lung tissue, prevented apoptosis and matrix degradation, and alleviated mucus stasis induced by PM2.5. Moreover, cytological analysis of bronchioalveolar lavage fluid revealed that AsE significantly inhibited the infiltration of immune cells into the lungs. Consistently, AsE also decreased expression of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines in lung tissue. Furthermore, AsE administration blocked reactive oxygen species production and lipid peroxidation through attenuating the PM2.5-dependent reduction of antioxidant defense system in the lungs. Therefore, A. stricta root would be a promising candidate for protecting lung tissue from air pollution such as PM2.5.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seok-Man Park
- Department of Histology and Anatomy, College of Korean Medicine, Daegu Haany University, Gyeongsan 38610, Korea; (S.-M.P.); (D.-G.L.)
- Central Research Center, Okchundang Inc., Daegu 41059, Korea;
| | - Cheol-Jong Jung
- Central Research Center, Okchundang Inc., Daegu 41059, Korea;
| | - Dae-Geon Lee
- Department of Histology and Anatomy, College of Korean Medicine, Daegu Haany University, Gyeongsan 38610, Korea; (S.-M.P.); (D.-G.L.)
- Central Research Center, Okchundang Inc., Daegu 41059, Korea;
| | - Beom-Rak Choi
- Research Institute, Nutracore Co., Ltd., Gwanggyo SK Viewlake A-3206, Beobjo-Ro 25, Suwon 16514, Korea;
| | - Tae-Hun Ku
- Okchungdang Korean Medicine Clinic, Ulsan 44900, Korea;
| | | | - Il-Je Cho
- Central Research Center, Okchundang Inc., Daegu 41059, Korea;
- Correspondence: (I.-J.C.); (S.-K.K.); Tel.: +82-53-950-0011 (I.-J.C.); +82-53-819-1549 (S.-K.K.)
| | - Sae-Kwang Ku
- Department of Histology and Anatomy, College of Korean Medicine, Daegu Haany University, Gyeongsan 38610, Korea; (S.-M.P.); (D.-G.L.)
- Correspondence: (I.-J.C.); (S.-K.K.); Tel.: +82-53-950-0011 (I.-J.C.); +82-53-819-1549 (S.-K.K.)
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Hu JR, Jung CJ, Ku SM, Jung DH, Bashir KMI, Ku SK, Choi JS. Anti-inflammatory, expectorant, and antitussive properties of Kyeongok-go in ICR mice. PHARMACEUTICAL BIOLOGY 2021; 59:321-334. [PMID: 33770452 PMCID: PMC8008926 DOI: 10.1080/13880209.2021.1892155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2020] [Revised: 12/23/2020] [Accepted: 02/12/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
CONTEXT Kyeongok-go (KOG) is a traditional mixed herb preparation consisting of Panax ginseng CA Meyer (Araliaceae), Poria cocos Wolf (Polyporaceae), Rehmannia glutinosa (Gaertner) Liboschitz ex Steudel (Orobanchaceae), and honey. Various pharmacological effects of KOG are reported, but the efficacy on respiratory diseases has not been evaluated. OBJECTIVE The anti-inflammatory, expectorant, and antitussive properties of KOG were examined using animal models of respiratory diseases. MATERIALS AND METHODS KOG (100, 200, and 400 mg/kg) was orally administered to ICR mice (n = 8) once a day for 11 days. Anti-inflammatory effects of vehicle, xylene, KOG and DEXA (1 mg/kg) were determined by monitoring edoema and redness of treated ears, and measuring the relative and absolute weight of each ear. Expectorant properties of vehicle, KOG and AM (250 mg/kg) were evaluated by observing body surface redness, and the amount of mucous secreted by the trachea. The antitussive potential of vehicle, NH4OH, KOG and TB (50 mg/kg) was evaluated by monitoring changes in the number of coughs (for 6 min). RESULTS KOG (400 mg/kg) treated mice showed 31.29% and 30.72% (p < 0.01) decreases in the relative and absolute weights of each ear relative to xylene control mice, 39.06% increases (p < 0.01) in TLF OD values relative to intact vehicle control mice, and 59.53% decrease (p < 0.01) in coughing compared to NH4OH control mice. Dose-dependent changes were observed in all experimental models. CONCLUSIONS KOG may be a potential therapeutic agent for the treatment of various respiratory diseases, particularly those caused by environmental toxins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin-Ryul Hu
- Department of Histology and Anatomy, College of Korean Medicine, Daegu Haany University, Gyeongsan-si, Republic of Korea
| | | | | | - Dae-Hwa Jung
- Department of Pharmaceutical Engineering, Daegu Haany University, Gyeongsan, Republic of Korea
| | - Khawaja Muhammad Imran Bashir
- German Engineering Research Center for Life Science Technologies in Medicine and Environment, Busan, Republic of Korea
| | - Sae-Kwang Ku
- Department of Histology and Anatomy, College of Korean Medicine, Daegu Haany University, Gyeongsan-si, Republic of Korea
- The Medical Research Center for Herbal Convergence on Liver Disease, Daegu Haany University, Gyeongsan-si, Republic of Korea
| | - Jae-Suk Choi
- Department of in Food Biotechnology, College of Medical and Life Sciences, Silla University, Busan, Republic of Korea
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Zhao X, Fu X, Yuan X, Shayiranbieke A, Xu R, Cao F, Ren J, Liang Q, Zhao X. Development and characterization of a selective chromatographic approach to the rapid discovery of ligands binding to muscarinic-3 acetylcholine receptor. J Chromatogr A 2021; 1653:462443. [PMID: 34365202 DOI: 10.1016/j.chroma.2021.462443] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2021] [Revised: 07/07/2021] [Accepted: 07/26/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
The pursuit of new ligands binding to muscarinic-3 acetylcholine receptor (M3R) is viewed as challenging due to the lack of screening methods with high efficiency. To address such challenges, this work developed and characterized an approach to the rapid discovery of M3R ligands using the immobilized receptor as the chromatographic stationary phase. We fused haloalkane dehalogenase (Halo) as a tag at the C-terminus of M3R. The fusion M3R was immobilized on 6-chlorocaproic acid-activated ammino-microspheres by the specific covalent reaction between the Halo-tag and the linker. Comprehensive characterizations of the immobilized M3R were performed by scanning electron microscope, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and the investigation on the binding of three specific ligands to the receptor. The feasibility of the immobilized M3R in complex matrices was tested by screening the bioactive compounds in Zhisou oral liquid, assessing the interaction between the screened compounds and the receptor using zonal elution, and evaluating the in vivo activity of the targeted compounds. The results evidenced that the immobilized M3R has high specificity, good stability, and the capacity to separate M3R ligands from complex matrices. These allowed us to identify naringin, hesperidin, liquiritigenin, platycodin D, and glycyrrhizic acid as the potential ligands of M3R. The association constants of the five compounds to M3R were 4.44 × 104, 1.11 × 104, 7.20 × 104, 4.15 × 104, and 3.36 × 104 M-1. The synergistic application of the five compounds exhibited an equivalent expectorant activity to the original formula. We reasoned that the current method is possible to provide a highly efficient strategy for the discovery of receptor ligands.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xue Zhao
- College of Life Sciences, Northwest University, Xi'an 710069, China
| | - Xiaoying Fu
- College of Life Sciences, Northwest University, Xi'an 710069, China
| | - Xinyi Yuan
- College of Life Sciences, Northwest University, Xi'an 710069, China
| | | | - Ru Xu
- College of Life Sciences, Northwest University, Xi'an 710069, China
| | - Fang Cao
- Shaanxi Pharmaceutical Holding Group Shanhaidan Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Xi'an 710075, China
| | - Jianping Ren
- Medicine Researchinstitution of Shaanxi Pharmaceutical Holding Cooperation, Xi'an 710065, China
| | - Qi Liang
- College of Life Sciences, Northwest University, Xi'an 710069, China.
| | - Xinfeng Zhao
- College of Life Sciences, Northwest University, Xi'an 710069, China.
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Protective Effects of Korean Herbal Remedy against Airway Inflammation in an Allergic Asthma by Suppressing Eosinophil Recruitment and Infiltration in Lung. Antioxidants (Basel) 2020; 10:antiox10010006. [PMID: 33374657 PMCID: PMC7822450 DOI: 10.3390/antiox10010006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2020] [Revised: 12/18/2020] [Accepted: 12/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The increasing prevalence of allergic asthma has become the world’s major health issue. Current treatments for allergic asthma focus on treating symptoms, while permanent cures still remain undiscovered. In this study, we investigated the effect of Korean traditional herbal remedy, Pyunkang-tang (PGT)—composed of six plants—on asthma alleviation in a mouse model. The PGT mixture was orally gavaged to mice (PM group, 20 mg/mouse/day) from 7 days before sensitization with ovalbumin (OVA) (day −7). On day 0 and day 14, mice from OVA-control (n = 9) and PM group (n = 8) were sensitized with OVA and alum through intraperitoneal injection. On days 18~20, OVA was challenged to mice through nasal injection and sacrificed next day. Cell profile in lung tissue was analyzed by flow cytometry and RT-qPCR analysis, and the number of eosinophils and expression of siglec-F were significantly reduced in the PM group. Lung tissue was examined with hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) and Alcian blue/periodic acid–Schiff (AB-PAS) staining. Noticeably reduced eosinophil infiltration around bronchioles was displayed in the PM group compared to the OVA-control group. Furthermore, PGT-treated mice showed a significant reduction in IL-13 and a mild reduction in IL-5 in lungs. A decreasing tendency of IL-5/13 (+) CD4+ T cells and IL-13(+) innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) and a significant reduction in IL5(+) ILCs were also observed. When treating PGT on murine lung epithelial cells stimulated by papain, there was a significant reduction in IL-33 mRNA expression levels. Taken together, oral delivery of PGT successfully alleviated asthmatic responses provoked by OVA in a mouse model and could lead to novel therapies for allergic asthma.
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Park SH. Ethyl Acetate Fraction of Adenophora triphylla var. japonica Inhibits Migration of Lewis Lung Carcinoma Cells by Suppressing Macrophage Polarization toward an M2 Phenotype. J Pharmacopuncture 2019; 22:253-259. [PMID: 31970023 PMCID: PMC6970570 DOI: 10.3831/kpi.2019.22.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2019] [Revised: 11/27/2019] [Accepted: 11/27/2019] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Objectives It is reported that tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) contribute to cancer progression by promoting tumor growth and metastasis. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of different fractions of Adenophora triphylla var. japonica (AT) on the polarization of macrophages into the M2 phenotype, a major phenotype of TAMs. Methods We isolated hexane, ethyl acetate, and butanol fractions from crude ethanol extract of AT. The cytotoxicity of AT in RAW264.7 cells was examined by 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. RAW264.7 cells were polarized into the M2 phenotype by treatment with interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-13. The expression of M2 macrophage marker genes was detected by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The phosphorylation level of signal transducer and activator of transcription 6 (STAT6) was investigated by western blot analysis. The migration of Lewis lung carcinoma (LLC) cells was examined by transwell migration assay using conditioned media (CM) collected from RAW264.7 cells as a chemoattractant. Results Among various fractions of AT, the ethyl acetate fraction of AT (EAT) showed the most significant suppressive effect on the mRNA expression of M2 macrophage markers, including arginase-1, interleukin (IL)-10 and mannose receptor C type 1 (MRC-1), up-regulated by treatment of IL-4 and IL-13. In addition, EAT suppressed the phosphorylation of STAT6, a critical regulator of IL-4 and IL-13-induced M2 macrophage polarization. Finally, the increased migration of Lewis lung carcinoma (LLC) cells by CM from M2-polarized RAW264.7 cells was reduced by CM from RAW264.7 cells co-treated with EAT and M2 polarization inducers. Conclusion We demonstrated that EAT attenuated cancer cell migration through suppression of macrophage polarization toward the M2 phenotype. Additional preclinical or clinical researches are needed to evaluate its regulatory effects on macrophage polarization and anti-cancer activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shin-Hyung Park
- Departments of Pathology, College of Korean Medicine, Dong-eui University, Busan, 47227, Republic of Korea
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