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Guo H, Cui BD, Gong M, Li QX, Zhang LX, Chen JL, Chi J, Zhu LL, Xu EP, Wang ZM, Dai LP. An ethanolic extract of Arctium lappa L. leaves ameliorates experimental atherosclerosis by modulating lipid metabolism and inflammatory responses through PI3K/Akt and NF-κB singnaling pathways. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2024; 325:117768. [PMID: 38253275 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2024.117768] [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: 10/24/2023] [Revised: 01/09/2024] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Atherosclerosis (AS), a lipid-induced inflammatory condition of the arteries, is a primary contributor to atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases including stroke. Arctium lappa L. leaf (ALL), an edible and medicinal herb in China, has been documented and commonly used for treating stroke since the ancient times. However, the elucidations on its anti-AS effects and molecular mechanism remain insufficient. AIM OF THE STUDY To investigate the AS-ameliorating effects and the underlying mechanism of action of an ethanolic extract of leaves of Arctium lappa L. (ALLE). MATERIALS AND METHODS ALLE was reflux extracted using with 70% ethanol. An HPLC method was established to monitor the quality of ALLE. High fat diet (HFD) and vitamin D3-induced experimental AS in rats were used to determine the in vivo effects; and oxidized low-density lipoprotein-induced RAW264.7 macrophage foam cells were used for in vitro assays. Simvatatin was used as positive control. Biochemical assays were implemented to ascertain the secretions of lipids and pro-inflammatory mediators. Haematoxylin-eosin (H&E) and Oil red O stains were employed to assess histopathological alterations and lipid accumulation conditions, respectively. CCK-8 assays were used to measure cytotoxicity. Immunoblotting assay was conducted to measure protein levels. RESULTS ALLE treatment significantly ameliorated lipid deposition and histological abnormalities of aortas and livers in AS rats; improved the imbalances of serum lipids including total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C); notably attenuated serum concentrations of inflammation-associated cytokines/molecules including TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β, VCAM-1, ICAM-1and MMP-9. Mechanistic studies demonstrated that ALLE suppressed the phosphorylation/activation of PI3K, Akt and NF-κB in AS rat aortas and in cultured foam cells. Additionally, the PI3K agonist 740Y-P notably reversed the in vitro inhibitory effects of ALLE on lipid deposition, productions of TC, TNF-α and IL-6, and protein levels of molecules of PI3K/Akt and NF-κB singnaling pathways. CONCLUSIONS ALLE ameliorates HFD- and vitamin D3-induced experimental AS by modulating lipid metabolism and inflammatory responses, and underlying mechanisms involves inhibition of the PI3K/Akt and NF-κB singnaling pathways. The findings of this study provide scientific justifications for the traditional application of ALL in managing atherosclerotic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Guo
- Henan University of Chinese Medicine (HUCM), Collaborative Innovation Center of Research and Development on the Whole Industry Chain of Yu-Yao, Henan Province, Zhengzhou, 450046, China.
| | - Bing-di Cui
- Henan University of Chinese Medicine (HUCM), Collaborative Innovation Center of Research and Development on the Whole Industry Chain of Yu-Yao, Henan Province, Zhengzhou, 450046, China.
| | - Man Gong
- Henan University of Chinese Medicine (HUCM), Collaborative Innovation Center of Research and Development on the Whole Industry Chain of Yu-Yao, Henan Province, Zhengzhou, 450046, China.
| | - Qing-Xia Li
- Henan University of Chinese Medicine (HUCM), Collaborative Innovation Center of Research and Development on the Whole Industry Chain of Yu-Yao, Henan Province, Zhengzhou, 450046, China.
| | - Ling-Xia Zhang
- Henan University of Chinese Medicine (HUCM), Collaborative Innovation Center of Research and Development on the Whole Industry Chain of Yu-Yao, Henan Province, Zhengzhou, 450046, China.
| | - Jia-Li Chen
- Department of Food Science and Engineering, Institute of Food Safety and Nutrition, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China.
| | - Jun Chi
- Henan University of Chinese Medicine (HUCM), Collaborative Innovation Center of Research and Development on the Whole Industry Chain of Yu-Yao, Henan Province, Zhengzhou, 450046, China.
| | - Li-Li Zhu
- Henan University of Chinese Medicine (HUCM), Collaborative Innovation Center of Research and Development on the Whole Industry Chain of Yu-Yao, Henan Province, Zhengzhou, 450046, China.
| | - Er-Ping Xu
- Henan University of Chinese Medicine (HUCM), Collaborative Innovation Center of Research and Development on the Whole Industry Chain of Yu-Yao, Henan Province, Zhengzhou, 450046, China.
| | - Zhi-Min Wang
- Henan University of Chinese Medicine (HUCM), Collaborative Innovation Center of Research and Development on the Whole Industry Chain of Yu-Yao, Henan Province, Zhengzhou, 450046, China; Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100700, China.
| | - Li-Ping Dai
- Henan University of Chinese Medicine (HUCM), Collaborative Innovation Center of Research and Development on the Whole Industry Chain of Yu-Yao, Henan Province, Zhengzhou, 450046, China.
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Li L, Wang N, Fan X, He N, Zhang T. A preparation technology of volatile components in Linggui Zhugan decoction based on the transfer of cinnamaldehyde and its anti-gastric ulcer effect. Saudi Pharm J 2023; 31:101833. [PMID: 38028222 PMCID: PMC10651668 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsps.2023.101833] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2023] [Accepted: 10/15/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose This study aims to preserve the volatile components of Linggui Zhugan (LGZG) decoction, offering an experimental foundation for subsequent preparations efforts. Methods Two modern sample preparation processes were compared with the traditional method approach using HPLC fingerprints. After identifying the main volatile components in LGZG aqueous decoction, the inclusion method of inclusion compounds (IC-LGZG) was established and optimized at laboratory, pilot and production scales. Characterization, stability testing of IC-LGZG, and experiments on gastric ulcer rats were conducted to validate the transferability of chemical composition and pharmaceutical efficacy. Results The study focused on preserving the volatile components in LGZG modern preparations. HPLC analysis revealed cinnamaldehyde (CA) as the main volatile component in LGZG decoction. The optimized IC-LGZG preparation involved heating aromatic water to 40 °C, adding 20 g/L of β-Cyclodextrin (β-CD), keeping warm and stirring at 300 r for 30 min. This process exhibited good repeatability across different verification tests at varying scales. IC-LGZG obtained effectively transferred CA molecules into the β-CD molecules via encapsulation, remaining stable when stored in sealed and dark conditions. Finally, CA, IC-LGZG and M-LGZG (a mixture of IC-LGZG and water-soluble extract powder) effectively prevented the formation of gastric ulcer by mitigating reductions in IL-10, SOD and the increase of TNF-α, NO, MDA in serum. Conclusion The IC-LGZG prepared using this process successfully transfers volatile components, both chemically and pharmacologically, making it suitable for modern preparations of LGZG.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ling Li
- College of Pharmacy, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei 230000, China
- School of Pharmacy, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Nan Wang
- School of Pharmacy, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Xiaolong Fan
- School of Pharmacy, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Ning He
- College of Pharmacy, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei 230000, China
| | - Tong Zhang
- School of Pharmacy, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China
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