Edible plants from traditional Chinese medicine is a promising alternative for the management of diabetic nephropathy

Phthalides from the rhizome of Ligusticum chuanxiong Hort. attenuate diabetic nephropathy in mice

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

In many famous formulas of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), the rhizome of Ligusticum chuanxiong (L. chuanxiong) is commonly used as an ingredient for promoting blood circulation and resolving blood stasis to treat diabetic nephropathy. However, its material basis and mechanism of action are still needed to be explored.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The aim of this work is to elucidate the potential effective parts (phthalides) of L. chuanxiong responsible for renal protection and to explore the possible mechanism of renal protection.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A method based on column chromatography of macroporous resin was established to enrich an effective part (LCE70), and the composition of LCE70 was identified by HPLC-UV and UPLC-MS/MS methods. Mice model was induced by streptozotocin (STZ) to evaluate the protective effect of LCE70 on diabetic nephropathy (DN). In vitro, the suppressive effect of LCE70 on oxidative damage, inflammation and its mechanism were tested using immunoblot analysis, ELISA, etc. Cellular thermal shift assay (CETSA) was adopted to verify the interaction between the phthalides and the key targets involved in renal injury.

RESULTS

LCE70 displayed therapeutic potential against metabolic disorders, renal dysfunction, and fibrosis in a DN model induced by STZ in mice. Furthermore, it markedly reduced oxidative stress of the kidney in DN mice by activating Nrf2 pathway. Z-ligustilide, the main component of LCE70, reacted with Keap1, and thus promoted Nrf2 dissociating from Keap1 to activate Nrf2 pathway.

CONCLUSIONS

LCE70 improved hyperglycemia-induced renal function by enhancing the Nrf2 activation, reducing collagen deposition, and alleviating inflammation and oxidative stress, which suggested its potential as a therapeutic agent for DN.

Uncovering the molecular mechanism of Gynostemma pentaphyllum (Thunb.) Makino against breast cancer using network pharmacology and molecular docking

Because of their strong anti-cancer efficacy with fewer side effects, traditional Chinese medicines (TCM) have attracted considerable attention for their potential application in treating breast cancer (BC). However, knowledge about the underlying systematic mechanisms is scarce. Gynostemma pentaphyllum (Thunb.) Makino (GP), a creeping herb, has been regularly used as a TCM to prevent and treat tumors including BC. Again, mechanisms underlying its anti-BC properties have remained elusive. We used network pharmacology and molecular docking to explore the mechanistic details of GP against BC. The TCM systems pharmacology database and analysis platform and PharmMapper Server database were used to retrieve the chemical constituents and potential targets in GP. In addition, targets related to BC were identified using DrugBank and Therapeutic Target Database. Protein-protein interaction network, Gene Ontology, and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway enrichment analyses of crucial targets were performed using the Search Tool for the Retrieval of Interacting Genes/Proteins and database for annotation, visualization, and integrated discovery databases, whereas the network visualization analysis was performed using Cytoscape 3.8.2. In addition, the molecular docking technique was used to validate network pharmacology-based predictions. A comparison of the predicted targets of GP with those of BC-related drugs revealed 26 potential key targets related to the treatment of BC, among which ALB, EGFR, ESR1, AR, PGR, and HSP90AA1 were considered the major potential targets. Finally, network pharmacology-based prediction results were preliminarily verified by molecular docking experiments. In addition, chemical constituents and potential target proteins were scored, followed by a comparison with the ligands of the protein. We provide a network of pharmacology-based molecular mechanistic insights on the therapeutic action of GP against BC. We believe that our data will serve as a basis to conduct future studies and promote the clinical applications of GP.

Clinical efficacies, underlying mechanisms and molecular targets of Chinese medicines for diabetic nephropathy treatment and management

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) has been recognized as a severe complication of diabetes mellitus and a dominant pathogeny of end-stage kidney disease, which causes serious health problems and great financial burden to human society worldwide. Conventional strategies, such as renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system blockade, blood glucose level control, and bodyweight reduction, may not achieve satisfactory outcomes in many clinical practices for DN management. Notably, due to the multi-target function, Chinese medicine possesses promising clinical benefits as primary or alternative therapies for DN treatment. Increasing studies have emphasized identifying bioactive compounds and molecular mechanisms of reno-protective effects of Chinese medicines. Signaling pathways involved in glucose/lipid metabolism regulation, antioxidation, anti-inflammation, anti-fibrosis, and podocyte protection have been identified as crucial mechanisms of action. Herein, we summarize the clinical efficacies of Chinese medicines and their bioactive components in treating and managing DN after reviewing the results demonstrated in clinical trials, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses, with a thorough discussion on the relative underlying mechanisms and molecular targets reported in animal and cellular experiments. We aim to provide comprehensive insights into the protective effects of Chinese medicines against DN.

Anti-Inflammatory Properties In Vitro and Hypoglycaemic Effects of Phenolics from Cultivated Fruit Body of Phellinus baumii in Type 2 Diabetic Mice

Dietary intervention in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a hotspot in international research because of potential threats to human health. Phellinus baumii, a wild fungus traditionally used as a food and medicine source, is now cultivated in certain East Asian countries, and is rich in polyphenols, which are effective anti-inflammatory ingredients useful in treatment of T2DM, with fewer side effects than drugs. To examine the hypoglycaemic effects of Phellinus baumii phenolics (PPE), the metabolite profiles of T2DM mice induced by streptozotocin after PPE intervention were systematically analyzed. Here, 10 normal mice were given normal saline as control group, and 50 model mice were randomly assigned to five groups and daily intragastric administrated with saline, metformin (100 mg/kg), and PPE (50, 100, 150 mg/kg of body weight), for 60 days. The pro-inflammatory factor contents of lipopolysaccharide stimulation of RAW 264.7 cells were decreased in a dose-dependent manner after PPE treatment, we propose that PPE could exert anti-inflammatory properties. PPE could also effectively reduce blood glucose levels, increased insulin sensitivity, and improved other glucolipid metabolism. Q-PCR results suggested that the hypoglycemic effects of PPE might be through activating IRS1/PI3K/AKT pathway in diabetic mice. These results suggest that PPE has strong potential as dietary components in the prevention or management of T2DM.

Anti-Obesity Effects of a Prunus persica and Nelumbo nucifera Mixture in Mice Fed a High-Fat Diet

Prunus persica and Nelumbo nucifera are major crops cultivated worldwide. In East Asia, both P. persica flowers and N. nucifera leaves are traditionally used for therapeutic purposes and consumed as teas for weight loss. Herein, we investigated the anti-obesity effects of an herbal extract mixture of P. persica and N. nucifera (HT077) and the underlying mechanism using a high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity model. Male C57BL/6 mice were fed a normal diet, HFD, HFD containing 0.02% orlistat (positive control), or HFD containing 0.1, 0.2, or 0.4% HT077 for 12 weeks. HT077 significantly reduced final body weights, weight gain, abdominal fat weights, liver weights, and hepatic levels of triglycerides and total cholesterol. HT077 also lowered glucose, cholesterol, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and leptin levels and increased AST/ALT and adiponectin/leptin ratios and adiponectin levels. Real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis showed that HT077 decreased the expression of lipogenic genes and increased the expression of fatty acid oxidation-related genes in adipose tissue. Our results indicate that HT077 exerts anti-obesity effects and prevents the development of obesity-related metabolic disorders. These beneficial effects might be partially attributed to ameliorating adipokine imbalances and regulating lipid synthesis and fatty acid oxidation in adipose tissue.

Hypoglycemic and Hypolipidemic Effects of Phellinus Linteus Mycelial Extract from Solid-State Culture in A Rat Model of Type 2 Diabetes

Hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic effects of P. linteus have been observed in numerous studies, but the underlying molecular mechanisms are unclear. In this study, we prepared P. linteus extract (PLE) from mycelia of solid-state culture, and evaluated its hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic effects in rat models of high-fat diet (HFD)-induced and low-dose streptozotocin (STZ)-induced type 2 diabetes. PLE treatment effectively reduced blood glucose levels, and improved insulin resistance and lipid and lipoprotein profiles. The hypoglycemic effect of PLE was based on inhibition of key hepatic gluconeogenesis enzymes (FBPase, G6Pase) expression and hepatic glycogen degradation, and consequent reduction of hepatic glucose production. PLE also: (i) enhanced expression of CPT1A and ACOX1 (key proteins involved in fatty acid β-oxidation) and low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) in liver, thus promoting clearance of triglycerides and LDL-C; (ii) inhibited expression of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase (HMGCR) in liver, thus reducing cholesterol production; (iii) displayed strong hepatoprotective and renal protective effects. Our findings indicate that PLE has strong potential functional food application in adjuvant treatment of type 2 diabetes with dyslipidemia.

Application of Spontaneous Photon Emission in the Growth Ages and Varieties Screening of Fresh Chinese Herbal Medicines

Ultraweak photon emission emitted by all living organisms has been confirmed to be a noninvasive indicator for their physiological and pathological characteristics. In this study, we investigated the characteristics of spontaneous photon emission (SPE) and the contents of specific active compounds of roots and flowers buds of several fresh Chinese herbal medicines (natural medicines) with different growth ages and varieties. The results revealed that the contents of specific active compounds from same species herbs with different growth ages and varieties were significantly different, and this difference could be reflected by their SPE. Because the contents of specific bioactive constituents in Chinese herbs are closely related to their quality and curative effect, the SPE measurement technique may contribute to the quality control of Chinese herbal medicine in the future.

Chinese medicines in the treatment of experimental diabetic nephropathy

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is a severe micro vascular complication accompanying diabetes mellitus that affects millions of people worldwide. End-stage renal disease occurs in nearly half of all DN patients, resulting in large medical costs and lost productivity. The course of DN progression is complicated, and effective and safe therapeutic strategies are desired. While the complex nature of DN renders medicines with a single therapeutic target less efficacious, Chinese medicine, with its holistic view targeting the whole system of the patient, has exhibited efficacy for DN management. This review aims to describe the experimental evidence for Chinese medicines in DN management, with an emphasis on the underlying mechanisms, and to discuss the combined use of herbs and drugs in DN treatment.

Protective effects of glycyrrhizic acid from edible botanical glycyrrhiza glabra against non-alcoholic steatohepatitis in mice

Glycyrrhizic acid protects against non-alcoholic steatohepatitis in mice.