Prediction and verification of the active ingredients and potential targets of Erhuang Quzhi Granules on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease based on network pharmacology

Bay-117082 treats sepsis by inhibiting neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) formation through down-regulating NLRP3/N-GSDMD

During the inflammatory storm of sepsis, a significant quantity of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) are generated, which act as a double-edged sword and not only impede the invasion of foreign microorganisms but also exacerbate organ damage. This study provides evidence that NETs can cause damage to alveolar epithelial cells in vitro. The sepsis model developed in this study showed a significant increase in NETs in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). The development of NETs has been shown to increase the lung inflammatory response and aggravate injury to alveolar epithelial cells. Bay-117082, a well-known NF-κB suppressor, is used to modulate inflammation. This analysis revealed that Bay-117082 efficiently reduced total protein concentration, myeloperoxidase activity, and inflammatory cytokines in BALF. Moreover, Bay-117082 inhibited the formation of NETs, which in turn prevented the activation of the pore-forming protein gasdermin D (GSDMD). In summary, these results indicated that excessive NET production during sepsis exacerbated the onset and progression of acute lung injury (ALI). Therefore, Bay-117082 could serve as a novel therapeutic approach for ameliorating sepsis-associated ALI.

Investigation of the Lipid-Lowering Activity and Mechanism of Three Extracts from Astragalus membranaceus, Hippophae rhamnoides L., and Taraxacum mongolicum Hand. Mazz Based on Network Pharmacology and In Vitro and In Vivo Experiments

Hyperlipidemia is a metabolic disorder characterized by abnormal lipid metabolism, resulting in lipid accumulation in the plasma. According to reports, medicinal and edible plants can reduce the risk of metabolic diseases such as hyperlipidemia. This study investigates the effects and mechanisms of Astragalus membranaceus extract (AME), Hippophae rhamnoides L. extract (HRE), and Taraxacum mongolicum Hand. Mazz extract (TME) on hyperlipidemia. Active compounds and potential gene targets of AME, HRE, and TME were screened using LC-MS and TCMSP databases, and hyperlipidemia targets were detected from the OMIM and DisGeNet databases. A drug-target pathway disease network was constructed through protein interactions, GO enrichment, and KEGG pathway analysis. Finally, the lipid-lowering effects of three extracts were validated through in vitro HepG2 cell and in vivo animal experiments. The results show that LC-MS and network pharmacology methodologies identified 41 compounds and 140 targets. KEGG analysis indicated that the PI3K-Akt and MAPK signaling pathways significantly treat hyperlipidemia with AHT. In vitro experiments have shown that AHT is composed of a ratio of AME:HRE:TME = 3:1:2. HepG2 cell and animal experiments revealed that AHT exhibits strong lipid-lowering and antioxidant properties, significantly regulating the levels of total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC). It is worth noting that AHT can effectively downregulate the protein expression levels of p-AKT/AKT and p-PI3K/PI3K and upregulate the protein expression levels of p-AMPK/AMPK and SIRT1, verifying the results predicted by network pharmacology. This study presents a novel approach to utilizing these natural plant extracts as safe and effective treatments for hyperlipidemia.

Active Targets and Potential Mechanisms of Erhuang Quzhi Formula in Treating NAFLD: Network Analysis and Experimental Assessment

The purpose of this research was to investigate the main active components, potential targets of action, and pharmacological mechanisms of Erhuang Quzhi Formula (EHQZF) against NAFLD using network pharmacology, molecular docking, and experimental validation. The main active chemical components of EHQZF and the potential targets for treating NAFLD were extracted and analyzed. The PPI network diagram of "Traditional Chinese Medicine-Active Ingredients-Core Targets" was constructed and the GO, KEGG, and molecular docking analysis were carried out. Identification of components in traditional Chinese medicine compounds was conducted by LC-MS. NAFLD models were established and relevant pathologic indicators and Western blot were analyzed in vivo and ex vivo. Totally 8 herbs attributed to the liver meridian and 20 corresponding targets of NAFLD were obtained from EHQZF. Flavonoids and phenolic acids as the main components of EHQZF treated NAFLD through the MAPK/AKT signaling pathway. Pathway enrichment analysis focused on the MAPK/AKT signaling pathway and apoptosis signaling pathway. Molecular docking showed that Quercetin and Luteolin had stable binding structures with AKT1, STAT3, and other targets. Experiments showed that EHQZF reduced lipid accumulation, regulated changes in adipose tissue, inhibited the MAPK/AKT signaling pathway and exert multiple components, several targets, and multiple pathway interactions to treat NAFLD.

Trollius chinensis Bunge: A Comprehensive Review of Research on Botany, Materia Medica, Ethnopharmacological Use, Phytochemistry, Pharmacology, and Quality Control

Trollius chinensis Bunge, a perennial herb belonging to the Ranunculaceae family, has been extensively used in traditional Chinese medicine. Documented in the Supplements to the Compendium of Materia Medica, its medicinal properties encompass a spectrum of applications, including heat clearance, detoxification, alleviation of oral/throat sores, earaches, eye pain, cold-induced fever, and vision improvement. Furthermore, T. chinensis is used in clinical settings to treat upper respiratory infections, pharyngitis, tonsillitis, esoenteritis, canker, bronchitis, etc. It is mainly used to treat inflammation, such as inflammation of the upper respiratory tract and nasal mucosa. This comprehensive review explores the evolving scientific understanding of T. chinensis, covering facets of botany, materia medica, ethnopharmacological use, phytochemistry, pharmacology, and quality control. In particular, the chemical constituents and pharmacological research are reviewed. Polyphenols, mainly flavonoids and phenolic acids, are highly abundant among T. chinensis and are responsible for antiviral, antimicrobial, and antioxidant activities. The flower additionally harbors trace amounts of volatile oil, polysaccharides, and other bioactive compounds. The active ingredients of the flower have fewer side effects, and it is used in children because of its minimal side effects, which has great research potential. These findings validate the traditional uses of T. chinensis and lay the groundwork for further scientific exploration. The sources utilized in this study encompass Web of Science, Pubmed, CNKI site, classic monographs, Chinese Pharmacopoeia, Chinese Medicine Dictionary, and doctoral and master's theses.

Active ingredients of Erhuang Quzhi Granules for treating non-alcoholic fatty liver disease based on the NF-κB/NLRP3 pathway

Erhuang Quzhi Granules (EQG), the Chinese herbal compound, has demonstrated significant clinical efficacy in treating non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The mechanism of this treatment has been shown to involve the nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB)/nod-like receptor thermal protein domain associated protein 3 (NLRP3) pathway. However, research on the material basis of EQG against NAFLD is still in its primary stages. Following these considerations, this study predicted and screened the active ingredients of EQG using the absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME) property evaluation tool and molecular docking. Then the levels of these active ingredients in EQG were measured using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC). The efficacy of the active ingredients and their mechanisms were validated through both in vivo and in vitro experiments. The results indicate that the collected 12 components have favorable metabolic stability, are safe, and have drug-like properties. Aloe-emodin (AE), rhein (RH), curcumin (CUR), emodin (EM), and chrysophanol (CP) showed better binding affinity with TNF-α and Caspase-1 proteins. UHPLC analysis revealed that EQG contains AE, RH, CUR, EM, and CP. Cellular experiments proved that all these five ingredients reduce the accumulation of lipids and reactive oxygen species. In animal models of NAFLD, AE, and RH significantly improved the pathological symptoms of steatosis and fibrosis and reduced the levels of pro-inflammatory factors via the NF-κB/NLRP3 pathway. The results reveal the active ingredients of EQG for treating NAFLD based on the NF-κB/NLRP3 pathway and lay the foundation for the clinical promotion of EQG.