1
|
Gao Q, Wu H, Chen M, Gu X, Wu Q, Xie T, Sui X. Active metabolites combination therapies: towards the next paradigm for more efficient and more scientific Chinese medicine. Front Pharmacol 2024; 15:1392196. [PMID: 38698817 PMCID: PMC11063311 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2024.1392196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2024] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formulae have been studied extensively in various human diseases and have proven to be effective due to their multi-component, multi-target advantage. However, its active metabolites are not clear and the specific mechanisms are not well established, which limits its scientific application. Recently, combination therapies are attracting increasing attention from the scientific community in the past few years and are considered as the next paradigm in drug discovery. Here, we tried to define a new concept of "active metabolites combination therapies (AMCT)" rules to elucidate how the bioactive metabolites from TCMs to produce their synergistic effects in this review. The AMCT rules integrate multidisciplinary technologies like molecular biology, biochemistry, pharmacology, analytical chemistry and pharmacodynamics, etc. Meanwhile, emerging technologies such as multi-omics combined analysis, network analysis, artificial intelligence conduce to better elucidate the mechanisms of these combination therapies in disease treatment, which provides new insights for the development of novel active metabolites combination drugs. AMCT rules will hopefully further guide the development of novel combination drugs that will promote the modernization and international needs of TCM.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Quan Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicines, Faculty of Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Taipa, China
- College of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Hao Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicines, Faculty of Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Taipa, China
- College of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Min Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicines, Faculty of Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Taipa, China
| | - Xidong Gu
- Department of Breast Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Qibiao Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicines, Faculty of Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Taipa, China
| | - Tian Xie
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicines, Faculty of Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Taipa, China
- College of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xinbing Sui
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicines, Faculty of Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Taipa, China
- College of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Yi B, Zhao Y, Yan H, Li Z, Zhang P, Fang Z, Zhao Y, Yang H, Guo N. Targeted arginine metabolomics combined with metagenomics revealed the potential mechanism of Pueraria lobata extract in treating myocardial infarction. J Chromatogr A 2024; 1719:464732. [PMID: 38387153 DOI: 10.1016/j.chroma.2024.464732] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2023] [Revised: 02/08/2024] [Accepted: 02/09/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024]
Abstract
The extraction methods for traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) may have varying therapeutic effects on diseases. Currently, Pueraria lobata (PL) is mostly extracted with ethanol, but decoction, as a TCM extraction method, is not widely adopted. In this study, we present a strategy that integrates targeted metabolomics, 16 s rDNA sequencing technology and metagenomics for exploring the potential mechanism of the water extract of PL (PLE) in treating myocardial infarction (MI). Using advanced analytical techniques like ultra-high performance liquid chromatography with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF-MS) and ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS), we comprehensively characterized PLE's chemical composition. Further, we tested its efficacy in a rat model of MI induced by ligation of the left anterior descending branch of the coronary artery (LAD). We assessed cardiac enzyme levels and conducted echocardiograms. UPLC-MS/MS was used to compare amino acid differences in serum. Furthermore, we investigated fecal samples using 16S rDNA sequencing and metagenomic sequencing to study intestinal flora diversity and function. This study demonstrated PLE's effectiveness in reducing cardiac injury in LAD-ligated rats. Amino acid metabolomics revealed significant improvements in serum levels of arginine, citrulline, proline, ornithine, creatine, creatinine, and sarcosine in MI rats, which are key compounds in the arginine metabolism pathway. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) results showed that PLE significantly improved arginase (Arg), nitric oxide synthase (NOS), and creatine kinase (CK) contents in the liver tissue of MI rats. 16 s rDNA and metagenome sequencing revealed that PLE significantly improved intestinal flora imbalance in MI rats, particularly in taxa such as Tuzzerella, Desulfovibrio, Fournierella, Oscillibater, Harryflintia, and Holdemania. PLE also improved the arginine metabolic pathway in the intestinal microorganisms of MI rats. The findings indicate that PLE effectively modulates MI-induced arginine levels and restores intestinal flora balance. This study, the first to explore the mechanism of action of PLE in MI treatment considering amino acid metabolism and intestinal flora, expands our understanding of the potential of PL in MI treatment. It offers fresh insights into the mechanisms of PL, guiding further research and development of PL-based medicines.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bojiao Yi
- Experimental Research Center, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China; School of Pharmacy, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, China
| | - Yurou Zhao
- Experimental Research Center, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Han Yan
- Experimental Research Center, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Zeyu Li
- Experimental Research Center, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Pin Zhang
- Experimental Research Center, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China; School of Pharmacy, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, China
| | - Zhengyu Fang
- Experimental Research Center, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yuping Zhao
- Experimental Research Center, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Hongjun Yang
- Experimental Research Center, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China.
| | - Na Guo
- Experimental Research Center, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Horn PJ, Chapman KD. Imaging plant metabolism in situ. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY 2024; 75:1654-1670. [PMID: 37889862 PMCID: PMC10938046 DOI: 10.1093/jxb/erad423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 10/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023]
Abstract
Mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) has emerged as an invaluable analytical technique for investigating the spatial distribution of molecules within biological systems. In the realm of plant science, MSI is increasingly employed to explore metabolic processes across a wide array of plant tissues, including those in leaves, fruits, stems, roots, and seeds, spanning various plant systems such as model species, staple and energy crops, and medicinal plants. By generating spatial maps of metabolites, MSI has elucidated the distribution patterns of diverse metabolites and phytochemicals, encompassing lipids, carbohydrates, amino acids, organic acids, phenolics, terpenes, alkaloids, vitamins, pigments, and others, thereby providing insights into their metabolic pathways and functional roles. In this review, we present recent MSI studies that demonstrate the advances made in visualizing the plant spatial metabolome. Moreover, we emphasize the technical progress that enhances the identification and interpretation of spatial metabolite maps. Within a mere decade since the inception of plant MSI studies, this robust technology is poised to continue as a vital tool for tackling complex challenges in plant metabolism.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Patrick J Horn
- BioDiscovery Institute and Department of Biological Sciences, University of North Texas, Denton TX 76203, USA
| | - Kent D Chapman
- BioDiscovery Institute and Department of Biological Sciences, University of North Texas, Denton TX 76203, USA
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Zhang P, Fang Z, Zhao M, Yi B, Huang Y, Yang H, Guo N, Zhao C. Ethanol extract of Pueraria lobata improve acute myocardial infarction in rats via regulating gut microbiota and bile acid metabolism. Phytother Res 2023; 37:5932-5946. [PMID: 37697496 DOI: 10.1002/ptr.8005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2023] [Revised: 06/15/2023] [Accepted: 08/20/2023] [Indexed: 09/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIM Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is a multifactorial disease with high mortality rate worldwide. Ethanol extract of Pueraria lobata (EEPL) has been widely used in treating cardiovascular diseases in China. This study aimed to explore the underlying therapeutic mechanism of EEPL in AMI rats. EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE We first evaluated the anti-AMI efficacy of EEPL through immunohistochemistry staining and biochemical indexes. Then, UPLC-MS/MS, 16S rDNA, and shotgun metagenomic sequencing were used to analyze the alterations in bile acid metabolism and intestinal flora. Finally, the influence of EEPL on ilem bile acid metabolism, related enzymes expression, and transporter proteins expression in rats were verified by mass spectrometry image and ELISA. KEY RESULTS The results showed that EEPL can reduce cardiac impairment in AMI rats. Besides, EEPL effectively increased bile acid levels and regulated gut microbiota disturbance in AMI rats via increasing CYP7A1 expression and restoring intestinal microbiota diversity, separately. Moreover, it can increase bile acids reabsorption and fecal excretion through inhibiting FXR-FGF15 signaling pathway and increasing OST-α expression, which associated with Lachnoclostridium. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS Our findings demonstrated that EEPL alleviated AMI partially by remediating intestinal dysbiosis and promoting bile acid biosynthesis, which provided new targets for AMI treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pin Zhang
- School of Pharmacy, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, China
- Experimental Research Center, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Zhengyu Fang
- Experimental Research Center, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Min Zhao
- School of Pharmacy, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Bojiao Yi
- School of Pharmacy, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, China
- Experimental Research Center, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yihe Huang
- School of Public Health, Shenyang Medical College, Shenyang, China
| | - Hongjun Yang
- Experimental Research Center, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Na Guo
- Experimental Research Center, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Chunjie Zhao
- School of Pharmacy, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, China
| |
Collapse
|