Study on the active components and mechanism of Suanzaoren decoction in improving cognitive impairment caused by sleep deprivation

A comprehensive study on the regulation of Compound Zaoren Granules on cAMP/CREB signaling pathway and metabolic disorder in CUMS-PCPA induced insomnia rats

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Compound Zaoren Granules (CZG), an optimized herbal formulation based on the traditional Chinese medicine prescription Suanzaoren decoction, are designed specifically for insomnia treatment. However, the mechanisms underlying its efficacy in treating insomnia are not yet fully understood.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The research investigated the mechanisms of CZG's improvement in insomnia by regulating cAMP/CREB signaling pathway and metabolic profiles.

METHODS

The main components of CZG were characterized by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). Subsequently, these validated components were applied to network pharmacological analysis to predict signaling pathways associated with insomnia. We evaluated the effect of CZG on BV-2 cells in vitro. We also evaluated the behavioral indexes of CUMS combined with PCPA induced insomnia in rats. HE staining and Nissl staining were used to observe the pathological damage of hippocampus. ELISA was used to detect the levels of various neurotransmitters, orexins, HPA axis, and inflammatory factors in insomnia rats. Then we detected the expression of cAMP/CREB signaling pathway through ELISA, WB, and IHC. Finally, the metabolomics was further analyzed by using UHPLC-QTOF-MS/MS to investigate the changes in the hippocampus of insomnia rats and the possible metabolic pathways were also speculated.

RESULTS

The results of CZG in vitro experiments showed that CZG has protective and anti-inflammatory effects on LPS induced BV-2 cells. A total of 161 chemical components were identified in CZG. After conducting network pharmacology analysis through these confirmed components, we select the cAMP/CREB signaling pathway for further investigate. The behavioral research results on insomnia rats showed that CZG significantly prolonged sleep time, mitigated brain tissue pathological damage, and exhibited liver protective properties. CZG treats insomnia by regulating the content of various neurotransmitters, reducing levels of orexin, HPA axis, and inflammatory factors. It can also treat insomnia by upregulating the expression of the cAMP/CREB signaling pathway. Hippocampus metabolomics analysis identified 69 differential metabolites associated with insomnia. The metabolic pathways related to these differential metabolites have also been predicted.

CONCLUSION

These results indicate that CZG can significantly prolong sleep time. CZG is used to treat insomnia by regulating various neurotransmitters, HPA axis, inflammatory factors, cAMP/CREB signaling pathways, and metabolic disorders.

SuanZaoRen decoction alleviates neuronal loss, synaptic damage and ferroptosis of AD via activating DJ-1/Nrf2 signaling pathway

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

SuanZaoRen Decoction (SZRD), a famous herbal prescription, and has been widely proven to have positive therapeutic effects on insomnia, depression and Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, the anti-AD molecular mechanism of SZRD remains to be further investigated.

AIM OF THE STUDY

To elucidate the molecular mechanism of SZRD's improvement in AD's neuronal loss, synaptic damage and ferroptosis by regulating DJ-1/Nrf2 signaling pathway.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

LC-MS/MS was used to detect the active ingredients from SZRD. APP/PS1 mice was treated with SZRD and a ferroptosis inhibitor (Liproxstatin-1), respectively. Upon the completion of behavioral tests, Nissl staining, FJB staining, Golgi staining, immunofluorescence, immunohistochemistry, and transmission electron microscopy were preformed to evaluate the effects of SZRD on neuronal loss, synaptic damage, Aβ deposition. Iron staining, transmission electron microscopy, and iron assay kit was performed to estimate the effects of SZRD on ferroptosis. SOD kit, MDA kit, GSH kit, and GSH/GSSG kit were utilized to measure the oxidative stress levels in the hippocampus. The protein expression of TfR1, FTH1, FTL, FPN1, DJ-1, Nrf2, GPX4, SLC7A11, and ACSL4 were detected by Western blot.

RESULTS

A total of 16 active ingredients were identified from SZRD extract. SZRD SZRD significantly alleviated learning and memory impairment in APP/PS1 mice. SZRD improved the hippocampal neuronal loss and degenerated neurons in APP/PS1 mice via inhibiting the Aβ deposit. SZRD mitigated the hippocampal synaptic damage in APP/PS1 mice. SZRD inhibited iron accumulation, and alleviated the oxidative stress level in the hippocampus of APP/PS1 mice. Meanwhile, SZRD could up-regulate the protein expression level of FPN1, DJ-1, Nrf2, GPX4 and SLC7A11 in the hippocampus, and inhibit TfR1, FTH1, FTL, and ACSL4 protein expression.

CONCLUSION

SZRD alleviated neuronal loss, synaptic damage and ferroptosis in AD via activating DJ-1/Nrf2 signaling pathway.

Biomarkers based on multiplatform comprehensive analysis: A systematic analysis of Geng-Nian-Shu in perimenopausal syndrome

Although Geng-Nian-Shu has been shown to be clinically effective in perimenopausal syndrome, its active components and mechanism have not yet been elucidated. To demonstrate the mechanism-based biomarkers of Geng-Nian-Shu in treating perimenopausal syndrome, a total of 135 chemical constituents including 52 prototype blood constituents were identified via high-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time of flight/mass spectrometry. Then, network pharmacology showed significant enrichment for the PhosphoInositide-3 Kinase/Akt pathway, suggesting that it may be the main regulatory pathway for the Geng-Nian-Shu treatment of the perimenopausal syndrome. Subsequently, multivariate analysis was performed between the Geng-Nian-Shu sham-treated and Geng-Nian-Shu ovariectomy-treated groups and further screened out 18 prototype blood constituents by correlation analysis with plasma estrogen levels to identify potential biomarkers associated with Geng-Nian-Shu treat the ovariectomy-induced perimenopausal syndrome. Finally, the results of pharmacological experimental verification and Pearson correlation analysis indicated that catalpol, ligustilide, paeoniflorin, and gallic acid were selected as biomarkers of Geng-Nian-Shu which were strongly and positively correlated with PhosphoInositide-3 Kinase/Akt signaling pathway. In this study, based on high-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time of flight/mass spectrometry combined with pharmacodynamics, network pharmacology, pharmacology, and other disciplines, we explored the effects and mechanisms of Geng-Nian-Shu in the treatment of perimenopausal syndrome at multiple levels. Using multiplatform technology to investigate the role of Geng-Nian-Shu represents a new strategy for the selection and verification of biomarkers of Geng-Nian-Shu and provides a basis for further development and utilization of Geng-Nian-Shu.

Interaction of Bmal1 and eIF2α/ATF4 pathway was involved in Shuxie compound alleviation of circadian rhythm disturbance-induced hepatic endoplasmic reticulum stress

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Shuxie Compound (SX) combines the composition and efficacy of Suanzaoren decoction and Huanglian Wendan decoction. It can soothe the liver, regulate the qi, nourish the blood and calm the mind. It is used in the clinical treatment of sleep disorder with liver stagnation. Modern studies have proved that circadian rhythm disorder (CRD) can cause sleep deprivation and liver damage, which can be effectively ameliorated by traditional Chinese medicine to soothe the liver stagnation. However, the mechanism of SX is unclear.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This study was designed to demonstrate the impact of SX on CRD in vivo, and confirm the molecular mechanisms of SX in vitro.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The quality of SX and drug-containing serum was controlled by UPLC-Q-TOF/MS, which were used in vivo and in vitro experiments, respectively. In vivo, a light deprivation mouse model was used. In vitro, a stable knockdown Bmal1 cell line was used to explore SX mechanism.

RESULTS

Low-dose SX (SXL) could restore (1) circadian activity pattern, (2) 24-h basal metabolic pattern, (3) liver injury, and (4) Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress in CRD mice. CRD decreased the liver Bmal1 protein at ZT15, which was reversed by SXL treatment. Besides, SXL decreased the mRNA expression of Grp78/ATF4/Chop and the protein expression of ATF4/Chop at ZT11. In vitro experiments, SX reduced the protein expression of thapsigargin (tg)-induced p-eIF2α/ATF4 pathway and increase the viability of AML12 cells by increasing the expression of Bmal1 protein.

CONCLUSIONS

SXL relieved CRD-induced ER stress and improve cell viability by up-regulating the expression of Bmal1 protein in the liver and then inhibiting the protein expression of p-eIF2α/ATF4.

Screening the effective components of Suanzaoren decoction on the treatment of chronic restraint stress induced anxiety-like mice by integrated chinmedomics and network pharmacology

BACKGROUND

Suanzaoren decoction (SZRD) is a classical traditional Chinese prescription. It is widely used to treat mental disorders, including insomnia, anxiety, and depression, in China and other Asian countries. However, the effective components and mechanisms underlying SZRD remained unclear.

PURPOSE

We aimed to develop a new strategy to discover the effects and potential mechanisms of SZRD against anxiety and to further reveal the effective components of SZRD in treating anxiety.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

First, the chronic restraint stress (CRS)-induced mouse model of anxiety was orally administered SZRD, and behavioral indicators and biochemical parameters were applied to assess efficacy. A chinmedomics strategy based on UHPLC-Q-TOF-MS technology and network pharmacology were then used to screen and explore potentially effective components and therapeutic mechanisms. Finally, molecular docking was applied to further confirm the effective components of SZRD, and a multivariate network for anxiolytic effects was constructed.

RESULTS

SZRD exerted anxiolytic effects by increasing the percentage of entries into open arms and the time spent in open arms; improving hippocampal 5-HT, GABA, and NE levels; and increasing serum corticosterone (CORT) and corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) levels caused by CRS challenge. Beside, SZRD exerted a sedative effect by decreasing sleep time and prolonging sleep latency with no muscle relaxation effect in CRS mice. A total of 110 components were identified in SZRD, 20 of which were absorbed in the blood. Twenty-one serum biomarkers involved in arachidonic acid, tryptophan, sphingolipid, and linoleic acid metabolism were identified after SZRD intervention. Finally, a multivariate network including prescription-effective components-targets-pathway of SZRD treating anxiety, including 11 effective components, 4 targets and 2 pathway was constructed.

CONCLUSION

The current study demonstrated that integrating chinmedomics and network pharmacology was a powerful approach to investigating the effective components and therapeutic mechanisms of SZRD and provided a solid basis for the quality marker (Q-marker) of SZRD.

Ginsenoside Rg1 can reverse fatigue behavior in CFS rats by regulating EGFR and affecting Taurine and Mannose 6-phosphate metabolism

Background: Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is characterized by significant and persistent fatigue. Ginseng is a traditional anti-fatigue Chinese medicine with a long history in Asia, as demonstrated by clinical and experimental studies. Ginsenoside Rg1 is mainly derived from ginseng, and its anti-fatigue metabolic mechanism has not been thoroughly explored. Methods: We performed non-targeted metabolomics of rat serum using LC-MS and multivariate data analysis to identify potential biomarkers and metabolic pathways. In addition, we implemented network pharmacological analysis to reveal the potential target of ginsenoside Rg1 in CFS rats. The expression levels of target proteins were measured by PCR and Western blotting. Results: Metabolomics analysis confirmed metabolic disorders in the serum of CFS rats. Ginsenoside Rg1 can regulate metabolic pathways to reverse metabolic biases in CFS rats. We found a total of 34 biomarkers, including key markers Taurine and Mannose 6-phosphate. AKT1, VEGFA and EGFR were identified as anti-fatigue targets of ginsenoside Rg1 using network pharmacological analysis. Finally, biological analysis showed that ginsenoside Rg1 was able to down-regulate the expression of EGFR. Conclusion: Our results suggest ginsenoside Rg1 has an anti-fatigue effect, impacting the metabolism of Taurine and Mannose 6-phosphate through EGFR regulation. This demonstrates ginsenoside Rg1 is a promising alternative treatment for patients presenting with chronic fatigue syndrome.