Target lipidomics approach to reveal the resolution of inflammation induced by Chinese medicine combination in Liu-Shen-Wan against realgar overexposure to rats

Application of lipidomics in the study of traditional Chinese medicine

Lipidomics is an emerging discipline that systematically studies the various types, functions, and metabolic pathways of lipids within living organisms. This field compares changes in diseases or drug impact, identifying biomarkers and molecular mechanisms present in lipid metabolic networks across different physiological or pathological states. Through employing analytical chemistry within the realm of lipidomics, researchers analyze traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). This analysis aids in uncovering potential mechanisms for treating diverse physiopathological conditions, assessing drug efficacy, understanding mechanisms of action and toxicity, and generating innovative ideas for disease prevention and treatment. This manuscript assesses recent literature, summarizing existing lipidomics technologies and their applications in TCM research. It delineates the efficacy, mechanisms, and toxicity research related to lipidomics in Chinese medicine. Additionally, it explores the utilization of lipidomics in quality control research for Chinese medicine, aiming to expand the application of lipidomics within this field. Ultimately, this initiative seeks to foster the integration of traditional medicine theory with modern science and technology, promoting an organic fusion between the two domains.

Spotlight on the accumulation of heavy metals in Traditional Chinese medicines: A holistic view of pollution status, removal strategies and prospect

The accumulation of heavy metal in circulating TCMs has attracted widespread attention because the security and therapeutic efficacy are inevitably imperiled by the survival ecological environment and human production activities. How to reduce the pollution level and improve the toxicity damage becomes an urgent issue. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the current status of heavy metal contamination over a thousand types of single herbal (botanical, animal and mineral medicines) and TCM preparations published over nearly two decades. The survey revealed that growth ecosystems (soil, water sources), anthropogenic factors (harvesting, processing, storage), specific varieties and medicinal parts utilized as well as the inherent resistance capacity are the key factors that affect the accumulation of heavy metals in TCMs. And Pb, Cu and Cr are the major cumulative elements for botanicals, while mineral and animal medicines are dominated by As and Cu elements, respectively. Ongoing efforts aimed at mitigating the level and translocation rate of heavy metals by optimized cultivation processes, appropriate processing methodologies and advanced adsorption techniques are effective removal strategies. And the prospects of TCMs as a detoxifying agent for heavy metal toxicity damage posed development potential. Besides, the correlation between the speciation of arsenic (As) and chromium (Cr) and their toxicity should also be elaborated in order to provide effective references for standardizing drug dosage and cycle. And the imperative from the perspective of improving limitations standards of HMs for animal medicines, external preparations and folk medicines as well as exploring the interaction mechanisms between heavy metals and active ingredients of TCMs provides the direction for the follow-up study.

Gui ShenWan prevent premature ovarian insufficiency by modulating autophagy and angiogenesis via facilitating VDR

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Gui Shen Wan (GSW) stands out as a promising therapeutic approach for addressing Premature Ovarian Insufficiency (POI). With deep roots in traditional medicine, GSW highlights the ethnopharmacological significance of herbal interventions in addressing nuanced aspects of women's health, with a specific emphasis on ovarian functionality. Recognizing the importance of GSW in gynecological contexts resonates with a rich tradition of using botanical formulations to navigate the intricacies of reproductive health. Delving into GSW's potential for treating POI emphasizes the crucial role of ethnopharmacological insights in guiding modern research endeavors.

AIM OF THE STUDY

GSW is extensively utilized in gynecological disorders and has recently emerged as a potential therapeutic approach for POI. The present investigation aimed to assess the efficacy of GSW in treating POI in rats and elucidate its underlying molecular mechanisms.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The study employed GSW for POI treatment in rats. GSW, prepared as pills, underwent HPLC fingerprinting for quality control. Reagents and drugs, including VCD and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), were sourced from reputable providers. Eighty Sprague-Dawley rats were categorized into groups for POI induction and treatment. Ovarian tissue underwent HE staining, immunohistochemical staining, Western Blot, qRT-PCR, and vaginal secretion testing. ELISA was utilized for target molecule detection. This methodology ensures a robust and reliable experimental framework.

RESULTS

The results highlight a robust collaborative improvement in POI among rats subjected to combined GSW and DHEA treatment. Particularly noteworthy is the substantial enhancement in the expression of vascular regeneration-related molecules-VDR-Klotho-VEGFR-accompanied by a significant elevation in autophagy levels. Post-GSW administration, rat ovarian morphology demonstrated increased stability, hormone levels exhibited more consistent maintenance, and there was a marked reduction in inflammatory response compared to other groups (p < 0.01). Furthermore, GSW intervention resulted in a more pronounced upregulation of ovarian autophagy (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

By modulating VDR-Klotho signaling, GSW exerts regulatory control over ovarian autophagy and vascular regeneration, thereby mitigating the occurrence and progression of POI in rats.

Systemic pharmacology reveal the mechanism by which the Qiangjin Zhuanggu Qufeng mixture inhibits LPS-induced pyroptosis of rat nucleus pulposus cells

OBJECTIVE

Low back pain (LBP) is a worldwide health issue primarily attributed to intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD). Qiangjin Zhuang Qufeng mixture (QJZG), an approved hospital-based formula with years of clinical application, has demonstrated notable therapeutic effects in the treatment of LBP. Nevertheless, the underlying mechanism by which it alleviates LBP remains uncertain.

METHODS

The bioactive constituents of QJZG were initially identified using ultra-performance liquid chromatography quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS). Subsequently, network pharmacology was employed to explore the core components and targets. In vivo and in vitro experiments were then conducted to validate the specific mechanism of action of QJZG based on the identified targets and pathways. Following that, ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry combined with 16S rRNA gene sequencing of blood and faecal samples was utilized to assess the impact of gut microbiota on faecal and serum metabolites subsequent to QJZG administration in intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD) rats.

RESULTS

The principal constituents of QJZG were identified using UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS, revealing a substantial enrichment of flavonoids and triterpenes. Network pharmacology analysis indicated the potential inhibitory effects of QJZG on the NLRP3 inflammasome and downstream inflammatory factors. Furthermore, investigations demonstrated that intervertebral disc degeneration may be attributed to pyroptotic cell death within the nucleus pulposus. In vitro experiments were performed utilizing LPS to induce the inflammatory response in nucleus pulposus cells (NPC), and it was observed that QJZG-containing serum significantly suppressed key pyroptosis-related genes and downstream inflammatory factors. Additionally, in vivo experiments substantiated the capacity of QJZG to preserve disc height and ameliorate the progression of disc degeneration. Concurrently, oral pharmacotherapy in animal studies prominently involved the effects of Enterobacteriaceae and Clostridium, closely intertwined with lipid metabolism.

CONCLUSIONS

QJZG exhibited a delaying effect on IVDD by preserving the equilibrium between extracellular matrix (ECM) synthesis and degradation in NPCs. This effect was achieved through the suppression of NLRP3 inflammasome expression and the prevention of pyroptosis in NPCs.

New opportunities and challenges of natural products research: When target identification meets single-cell multiomics

Natural products, and especially the active ingredients found in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), have a thousand-year-long history of clinical use and a strong theoretical basis in TCM. As such, traditional remedies provide shortcuts for the development of original new drugs in China, and increasing numbers of natural products are showing great therapeutic potential in various diseases. This paper reviews the molecular mechanisms of action of natural products from different sources used in the treatment of inflammatory diseases and cancer, introduces the methods and newly emerging technologies used to identify and validate the targets of natural active ingredients, enumerates the expansive list of TCM used to treat inflammatory diseases and cancer, and summarizes the patterns of action of emerging technologies such as single-cell multiomics, network pharmacology, and artificial intelligence in the pharmacological studies of natural products to provide insights for the development of innovative natural product-based drugs. Our hope is that we can make use of advances in target identification and single-cell multiomics to obtain a deeper understanding of actions of mechanisms of natural products that will allow innovation and revitalization of TCM and its swift industrialization and internationalization.

Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Rational Application of Cinnabar, Realgar, and Their Formulations

Ethnopharmacological Relevance. Mineral medicines are widely used traditional Chinese medicines with curative effects. These medicines are used for many refractory diseases. Aim of the Review. In this review, cinnabar (HgS) and realgar (As₂S₂) serve as examples of mineral medicines, and their pharmacology, therapeutic toxicity, use in traditional medicine mixtures, and research perspectives are discussed. Materials and Methods. A search was performed for the literature on cinnabar and realgar in PubMed, the Chinese Pharmacopeia, Google, and other sources. The search included studies using single herbs, traditional formulations, or novel dosage forms. Results. Cinnabar and cinnabar formulas exhibit good efficacy for sedation, sleep improvement, anxiety alleviation, and brain protection. However, previous studies on neurotransmitters have reached different conclusions, and detailed pharmacological mechanisms are lacking. Realgar and its formulas exert promising antitumor activity through regulation of cell cycle arrest, intrinsic and extrinsic apoptosis, induction of differentiation, autophagy, metabolic reprogramming, matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) signaling, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. In addition, realgar can be used to treat a variety of refractory diseases by regulating immunity and exerting antibacterial, antiviral, and other effects. However, the existing pharmacological research on the use of realgar for epidemic prevention is insufficient, and animal experiments and research at the cellular level are lacking. Inappropriate applications of cinnabar and realgar can cause toxicity, including neurotoxicity, liver toxicity, kidney toxicity, and genotoxicity. The toxicological mechanism is complex, and molecular-level research is limited. For clinical applications, theory and clinical experience must be combined to guide scientific and rational drug use and to achieve reduced toxicity and increased efficacy through the use of modern preparation methods or combined drugs. Notably, when cinnabar and realgar are used to treat targeted diseases, these agents have a bidirectional effect of “treatment” and “toxicity” on the central nervous system in pathological and normal states. The pharmacological and toxicological mechanisms need to be elucidated in greater detail in the future. Overall, systematic research is needed to provide a basis for better promotion of the rational use of cinnabar and realgar in the clinic. Conclusion. Mineral medicines are multicomponent, multiactivity, and multitargeted substances. The pharmacology and mechanisms of the toxicity and action of realgar and cinnabar are extremely complex. A number of Chinese medicinal preparations of realgar and cinnabar have demonstrated unique efficacy in the treatment of refractory diseases.

Metabolomics Combined with Network Pharmacology-Based Strategy to Reveal the Underlying Mechanism of Zhenhuang Submicron Emulsion in Treating Oropharyngeal Mucositis Complications of Radiation Therapy for Head and Neck Cancer

Introduction

Head and neck tumors account for more than 6% of all cancers. The primary treatment for tumors of the head and neck is radiation therapy, which can induce oropharyngeal mucositis as a side effect. At present, there is no widely available therapeutic for the treatment of oropharyngeal mucositis in clinical practice. Based on the traditional prescription Liushen Wan, the pathogenesis and pathology, we developed a new Chinese medicine prescription and made Zhenhuang submicron emulsion (ZHSE) spray, which has an efficacious therapeutic effect for oropharyngeal mucositis. However, its mechanism is unclear.

Methods

This research explored the mechanism behind the modulatory effects of ZHSE by a strategy of metabolomics and network pharmacology. Multivariate data analyses, including unsupervised principal component analysis (PCA) and supervised orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA), were performed. Potential biomarkers were identified depending on the mass-charge ratio of the selected compound. Statistical and pathway enrichment analysis was performed in the KEGG pathway database. Network pharmacology combining metabolomic analyses was conducted to illustrate the key targets and pathways.

Results

Critical metabolic pathways were investigated, 56f biomarkers were enriched and key metabolites such as linoleic acid, 9,10-epoxyoctadecenoic acid, acetoacetic acid and citric acid were identified. A complex network of “compound-target-potential metabolite” interactions was drawn to illuminate the regulation of chemical constituents on key metabolites. These findings manifest that ZHSE regulates endogenous metabolite disorders during the treatment of oropharyngeal mucositis by various constituents, interacting with multiple targets associated with inflammation and pain.

Conclusion

In this work, we determined several critical biomarkers and metabolic pathways and identified the possible regulatory mechanism by which ZHSE functions in the treatment of oropharyngeal mucositis. This study provides a new perspective on integrating metabolomics and network pharmacology for exploring improved therapy for head and neck tumors based on the traditional classic prescription of LSW.

An Experimental Study Reveals the Protective Effect of Autophagy against Realgar-Induced Liver Injury via Suppressing ROS-Mediated NLRP3 Inflammasome Pathway

Realgar, a poisonous traditional Chinese medicine, has been shown to cause liver injury when used for long periods or overdoses. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms and therapeutic targets have not been fully elucidated. The aim of this study is to explore the role of autophagy in sub-chronic realgar exposure-induced liver injury. Here, the liver injury model was established by continuously administrating mice with 1.35 g/kg realgar for 8 weeks. 3-methyladenine (3-MA) and rapamycin (RAPA) were used to regulate autophagy. The results showed that realgar induced abnormal changes in liver function, pathological morphology, expression of inflammatory cytokines, and upregulated NLRP3 inflammasome pathway in mouse livers. RAPA treatment (an inducer of autophagy) significantly improved realgar-induced liver injury and NLRP3 inflammasome activation, while 3-MA (an inhibitor of autophagy) aggravated the realgar-induced liver injury and NLRP3 inflammasome activation. Furthermore, we found that realgar-induced NLRP3 inflammasome activation in mouse livers is mediated by ROS. RAPA eliminates excessive ROS, inhibits NF-κB nuclear translocation and down-regulates the TXNIP/NLRP3 axis, consequently suppressing ROS-mediated NLRP3 inflammasome activation, which may be the underlying mechanism of the protective effect of autophagy on realgar-induced liver injury. In conclusion, the results of this study suggest that autophagy alleviates realgar-induced liver injury by inhibiting ROS-mediated NLRP3 inflammasome activation. Autophagy may represent a therapeutic target in modulating realgar-induced liver injury.

Liu Shen Capsule Alters Airway Microbiota Composition and Metabolite Profiles in Healthy Humans

Alteration in airway microbiota composition and perturbations in microbe-metabolites interactions have been proposed as markers of many diseases. Liu Shen (LS) capsule, a traditional Chinese medicine, was proved as favorable in treating respiratory diseases. However, the effects of the LS capsule in terms of regulating human microorganisms and metabolite profiles are not well known. This study aimed to define and compare the respiratory microbiota composition and circulating and fecal metabolite profiles before and after LS capsule administration. A total of 30 healthy volunteers were recruited. The pharyngeal swab samples were collected for 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The serum and fecal samples were collected to analyze the non-targeted ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry metabolomics. The airway microbial compositions were profoundly altered after LS capsule administration, as evidenced by increased microbial diversity and altered microbial taxa distribution. The increasing abundance of bacterial Bifidobacteria, and Lactobacillus characterized the after-administration groups, and the increasing of abundance bacterial Proteobacteria, Veillonella, Prevotella, Neisseria, and Actinomyces characterized the before-administration groups. Significant discriminations were observed in both serum and fecal metabolic profiles between the before- and after-administration groups. A total number of 134 and 71 significant HMDB taxonomic metabolites including glycerophospholipids, fatty acyls, and prenol lipids in the serum and fecal samples were identified respectively between the before- and after-administration groups. The integrated analysis showed that some altered airway microbiota phylum, such as Bacteroidetes and Proteobacteria, significantly correlated with metabolites in serum and fecal. Hence, our study reported the alternations in the composition and functions of the airway microbial community and the changes in circulating and fecal metabolite profiles after LS capsule administration in healthy humans, thus providing a novel insight into the mechanisms underlying the role of LS capsule treating and preventing related diseases.

Liu Shen Wan inhibits influenza virus-induced secondary Staphylococcus aureus infection in vivo and in vitro

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Liu Shen Wan (LSW) is a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) with detoxification and antiphlogistic activity; it is composed of bezoar, toad venom, musk, pearl powder, borneol and realgar. In recent years, LSW has been widely used in traditional medicine for the treatment of influenza, tonsillitis, pharyngitis, mumps, cancer and leukaemia.

AIM OF STUDY

The anti-influenza virus properties of LSW and its inhibition of the inflammatory response was demonstrated in our previous research; however, the effect and potential mechanism of LSW against influenza induced secondary bacteria have remained obscure. Therefore, in the present study, a model of influenza virus PR8 with secondary infection by Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) in vitro and in mice was established to examine the effect and potential mechanism by which LSW inhibits bacterial adhesion and subsequent severe pneumonia after viral infection.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We investigated the effect of LSW on the PR8-induced adhesion of live S. aureus in A549 cells. RT-qPCR was used to detect the expression of adhesion molecules. Western blotting was used to determine the expression of CEACAM1, RIG-1, MDA5, p-NF-κB, and NF-κB in A549 cells. Inflammatory cytokines were detected using a Bio-Plex Pro Human Cytokine Screening Panel (R&D) in A549 cells and Mouse Magnetic Luminex Assays (R&D) in mice infected with PR8 virus and secondarily with S. aureus, respectively. Moreover, the survival rate, lung index, viral titre, bacterial loads and pathological changes in the lung tissue of mice infected with PR8 and S. aureus were investigated to estimate the effect of LSW in inhibiting severe pneumonia.

RESULTS

LSW significantly decreased S. aureus adhesion following influenza virus infection in A549 cells, which may have occurred by suppressing expression of the adhesion molecule CEACAM1. In addition, treatment with LSW dramatically suppressed the induction of proinflammatory cytokines (CCL2/MCP-1 and CXCL-9/MIG) and chemokines (IL-6 and TNF-α) by PR8 infection following secondary LPS stimulation in A549 cells. Upregulation of related signalling proteins (RIG-I, MDA5 and NF-κB) induced by viruses and bacteria was suppressed by LSW in A549 cells. LSW significantly decreased the viral titres and bacterial load, prolonged survival time, and ameliorated lung inflammation and injury in mice with S. aureus infection secondary to PR8 infection.

CONCLUSIONS

We demonstrated that LSW prevents S. aureus adherence to influenza virus-infected A549 cells, perhaps by inhibiting the expression of the adhesion molecule CEACAM1. The upregulation of proinflammatory cytokines and related signalling proteins induced by viruses and bacteria was suppressed by LSW in A549 cells. LSW significantly ameliorated lung injury caused by viral and secondary bacterial infection. These findings provide a further evaluation of LSW and suggest a beneficial effect of LSW for the prevention of secondary bacterial infection and related complications.

Analyzing liver protein-bound DMAV by using size exclusion and ion exchange HPLC combined with ICP-MS and MRM mode in rats exposed to AS4S4

Long-term exposure to high levels of arsenic (As) will result in damage to organs. Compared with free arsenic, protein-bound arsenic are more difficult to be excreted from the bodies due to their complexation with biological macromolecules. We developed a method of size exclusion chromatography (SEC) and ion exchange chromatography (IEC) combined with inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode, which was used to determine bound-arsenic species. DMA^V was identified as bound arsenic species in rat livers after As4S4 overexposure. Subsequent proteomics analysis showed the potential binding partners included hemoglobin, glutathione S-transferases, superoxide dismutase [Cu-Zn] & [Mn], thiosulfate sulfurtransferase, and metallothionein-2. The method developed here was sensitive, repeatable, and conducive to arsenic analysis, especially for toxicity evaluation of arsenic-containing substances in vivo.