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Chen T, Chen H, Fu Y, Liu X, Huang H, Li Z, Li S. The eNOS-induced leonurine's new role in improving the survival of random skin flap. Int Immunopharmacol 2023; 124:111037. [PMID: 37827057 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2023.111037] [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: 08/17/2023] [Revised: 10/04/2023] [Accepted: 10/06/2023] [Indexed: 10/14/2023]
Abstract
In reconstructive and plastic surgery, random skin flaps are commonly utilized to treat skin abnormalities produced by a variety of factors. Flap delay procedure is commonly used to reduce flap necrosis. Due to the limitations of various conditions, the traditional surgical improvement can't effectively alleviate the skin flap necrosis. And leonurine (Leo) has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. In this study, we researched the mechanism underlying the influences of varied Leo concentrations on the survival rate of random skin flaps. Our results showed that after Leo treatment, tissue edema and necrosis of the flap were significantly reduced, while angiogenesis and flap perfusion were significantly increased. Through immunohistochemistry and Western blot, we proved that Leo treatment can upregulate the level of angiogenesis, while Leo treatment significantly reduced the expression levels of oxidative stress, apoptosis and inflammation. As a result, it can significantly improve the overall viability of the random skin flaps through the increase of angiogenesis, restriction of inflammation, attenuation of oxidative stress, and reduction of apoptosis. And this protective function was inhibited by LY294002 (a broad-spectrum inhibitor of PI3K) and L-NAME (NG- nitro-L-arginine methyl ester, a non-selective NOS inhibitor). All in all, Leo is an effective drug that can activate the eNOS via the PI3K/Akt pathway. By encouraging angiogenesis, preventing inflammation, minimizing oxidative stress, and lowering apoptosis, Leo can raise the survival rate of random skin flaps. The recommended concentration of Leo in this study was 30 mg/kg.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tingxiang Chen
- The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China; Key Laboratory of Orthopedics of Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Hongyu Chen
- The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China; Key Laboratory of Orthopedics of Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yuedong Fu
- The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China; Key Laboratory of Orthopedics of Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xuao Liu
- The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China; Key Laboratory of Orthopedics of Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Haosheng Huang
- The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China; Key Laboratory of Orthopedics of Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Zhijie Li
- The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China; Key Laboratory of Orthopedics of Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China.
| | - Shi Li
- The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China; Key Laboratory of Orthopedics of Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China.
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Liao L, Zhou M, Wang J, Xue X, Deng Y, Zhao X, Peng C, Li Y. Identification of the Antithrombotic Mechanism of Leonurine in Adrenalin Hydrochloride-Induced Thrombosis in Zebrafish via Regulating Oxidative Stress and Coagulation Cascade. Front Pharmacol 2021; 12:742954. [PMID: 34803688 PMCID: PMC8600049 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.742954] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2021] [Accepted: 10/20/2021] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Thrombosis is a general pathological phenomenon during severe disturbances to homeostasis, which plays an essential role in cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. Leonurine (LEO), isolated from Leonurus japonicus Houtt, showes a crucial role in anticoagulation and vasodilatation. However, the properties and therapeutic mechanisms of this effect have not yet been systematically elucidated. Therefore, the antithrombotic effect of LEO was investigated in this study. Hematoxylin-Eosin staining was used to detect the thrombosis of zebrafish tail. Fluorescence probe was used to detect the reactive oxygen species. The biochemical indexes related to oxidative stress (lactate dehydrogenase, malondialdehyde, superoxide dismutase and glutathione) and vasodilator factor (endothelin-1 and nitric oxide) were analyzed by specific commercial assay kits. Besides, we detected the expression of related genes (fga, fgb, fgg, pkcα, pkcβ, vwf, f2) and proteins (PI3K, phospho-PI3K, Akt, phospho-Akt, ERK, phospho-ERK FIB) related to the anticoagulation and fibrinolytic system by quantitative reverse transcription and western blot. Beyond that, metabolomic analyses were carried out to identify the expressions of metabolites associated with the anti-thrombosis mechanism of LEO. Our in vivo experimental results showed that LEO could improve the oxidative stress injury, abnormal platelet aggregation and coagulation dysfunction induced by adrenalin hydrochloride. Moreover, LEO restored the modulation of amino acids and inositol metabolites which are reported to alleviate the thrombus formation. Collectively, LEO attenuates adrenalin hydrochloride-induced thrombosis partly via modulating oxidative stress, coagulation cascade and platelet activation and amino acid and inositol metabolites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Liao
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Chengdu, China.,School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China.,National Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Systematic Research, Development and Utilization of Chinese Medicine Resources, Chengdu, China
| | - Mengting Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Chengdu, China.,School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China.,National Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Systematic Research, Development and Utilization of Chinese Medicine Resources, Chengdu, China
| | - Jing Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Chengdu, China.,School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China.,National Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Systematic Research, Development and Utilization of Chinese Medicine Resources, Chengdu, China
| | - Xinyan Xue
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Chengdu, China.,School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China.,National Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Systematic Research, Development and Utilization of Chinese Medicine Resources, Chengdu, China
| | - Ying Deng
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Chengdu, China.,School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China.,National Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Systematic Research, Development and Utilization of Chinese Medicine Resources, Chengdu, China
| | - Xingtao Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Chengdu, China.,School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China.,National Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Systematic Research, Development and Utilization of Chinese Medicine Resources, Chengdu, China
| | - Cheng Peng
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Chengdu, China.,School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China.,National Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Systematic Research, Development and Utilization of Chinese Medicine Resources, Chengdu, China
| | - Yunxia Li
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Chengdu, China.,School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China.,National Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Systematic Research, Development and Utilization of Chinese Medicine Resources, Chengdu, China
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Huang L, Xu DQ, Chen YY, Yue SJ, Tang YP. Leonurine, a potential drug for the treatment of cardiovascular system and central nervous system diseases. Brain Behav 2021; 11:e01995. [PMID: 33300684 PMCID: PMC7882174 DOI: 10.1002/brb3.1995] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2020] [Revised: 11/17/2020] [Accepted: 11/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Leonurus japonicus Houtt., a traditional Chinese herbal medicine, is often used as a gynecological medicine with the effect of promoting blood circulation, regulating menstruation, clearing heat, and detoxificating. As the most important alkaloid in L. japonicus, leonurine has a wide range of biological activities, such as antioxidation, anti-inflammation, and anti-apoptosis. Cardiovascular system and central nervous system diseases are arrogant killers that threaten human lives and health around the world, but many drugs for treating them have certain side effects. This paper reviews the potential therapeutic effects of leonurine on cardiovascular system and central nervous system diseases, summarizes the previous research progress, and focuses on its therapeutic effect in various diseases. Although leonurine plays a prominent role in the treatment of cardiovascular system and central nervous system diseases, there are still some shortages, such as low bioavailability, weak transmembrane ability, and poor fat solubility. Therefore, the structure modification of leonurine may solve these problems and provide reference value for the development of new drugs. At present, leonurine is in clinical trial, and it is hoped that our summary will help to provide guidance for its future research on the basic science and clinical application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lu Huang
- Key Laboratory of Shaanxi Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine for TCM Compatibility, State Key Laboratory of Research & Development of Characteristic Qin Medicine Resources (Cultivation), Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine Fundamentals and New Drugs Research, Shaanxi Collaborative Innovation Center of Chinese Medicinal Resources Industrialization, Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xi'an, China
| | - Ding-Qiao Xu
- Key Laboratory of Shaanxi Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine for TCM Compatibility, State Key Laboratory of Research & Development of Characteristic Qin Medicine Resources (Cultivation), Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine Fundamentals and New Drugs Research, Shaanxi Collaborative Innovation Center of Chinese Medicinal Resources Industrialization, Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xi'an, China
| | - Yan-Yan Chen
- Key Laboratory of Shaanxi Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine for TCM Compatibility, State Key Laboratory of Research & Development of Characteristic Qin Medicine Resources (Cultivation), Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine Fundamentals and New Drugs Research, Shaanxi Collaborative Innovation Center of Chinese Medicinal Resources Industrialization, Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xi'an, China
| | - Shi-Jun Yue
- Key Laboratory of Shaanxi Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine for TCM Compatibility, State Key Laboratory of Research & Development of Characteristic Qin Medicine Resources (Cultivation), Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine Fundamentals and New Drugs Research, Shaanxi Collaborative Innovation Center of Chinese Medicinal Resources Industrialization, Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xi'an, China
| | - Yu-Ping Tang
- Key Laboratory of Shaanxi Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine for TCM Compatibility, State Key Laboratory of Research & Development of Characteristic Qin Medicine Resources (Cultivation), Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine Fundamentals and New Drugs Research, Shaanxi Collaborative Innovation Center of Chinese Medicinal Resources Industrialization, Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xi'an, China
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Luo D, Zhang JB, Liu W, Yao XR, Guo H, Jin ZL, Zhang MJ, Yuan B, Jiang H, Kim NH. Leonurine improves in vitro porcine embryo development competence by reducing reactive oxygen species production and protecting mitochondrial function. Theriogenology 2020; 156:116-123. [PMID: 32698037 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2020.06.038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2020] [Revised: 06/19/2020] [Accepted: 06/27/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Leonurine (LEO) is pseudoalkaloid that has been isolated from motherwort. It has been found to have various biological activities, including an antioxidant capacity. This study aimed to confirm whether LEO could be used in porcine in vitro culture (IVC) medium for its antioxidant effect and related molecular mechanisms. The results showed that embryos in IVC medium supplemented with 40 μM LEO had an increased blastocyst formation rate, total cell number, and proliferation capacity and a low apoptosis rate. LEO supplementation decreased reactive oxygen species levels and increased glutathione levels. Moreover, LEO-treated embryos exhibited improved intracellular mitochondrial membrane potential and reduced autophagy. In addition, pluripotency related gene was up-regulated while apoptosis and autophagy related genes were down-regulated with LEO supplementation. These results suggest that LEO has a beneficial effect on pre-implantation embryo development by reducing oxidative stress and enhancing mitochondrial function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan Luo
- Department of Laboratory Animals, Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Model, Jilin University, Changchun, 130062, Jilin, China; Department of Animal Science, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, Chungbuk, 361-763, Republic of Korea
| | - Jia-Bao Zhang
- Department of Laboratory Animals, Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Model, Jilin University, Changchun, 130062, Jilin, China
| | - Wen Liu
- Department of Animal Science, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, Chungbuk, 361-763, Republic of Korea; Department of Laboratory Animals, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Xue-Rui Yao
- Department of Animal Science, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, Chungbuk, 361-763, Republic of Korea
| | - Hao Guo
- Department of Animal Science, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, Chungbuk, 361-763, Republic of Korea
| | - Zhe-Long Jin
- Department of Animal Science, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, Chungbuk, 361-763, Republic of Korea
| | - Ming-Jun Zhang
- Department of Laboratory Animals, Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Model, Jilin University, Changchun, 130062, Jilin, China
| | - Bao Yuan
- Department of Laboratory Animals, Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Model, Jilin University, Changchun, 130062, Jilin, China
| | - Hao Jiang
- Department of Laboratory Animals, Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Model, Jilin University, Changchun, 130062, Jilin, China; Department of Animal Science, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, Chungbuk, 361-763, Republic of Korea.
| | - Nam-Hyung Kim
- Department of Laboratory Animals, Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Model, Jilin University, Changchun, 130062, Jilin, China; Department of Animal Science, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, Chungbuk, 361-763, Republic of Korea; School of Biotechnology and Healthcare, Wuyi University, Jiangmen, Guangdong, 529020, China.
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Neuroprotective Effect of SCM-198 through Stabilizing Endothelial Cell Function. OXIDATIVE MEDICINE AND CELLULAR LONGEVITY 2019; 2019:7850154. [PMID: 31827699 PMCID: PMC6885260 DOI: 10.1155/2019/7850154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2019] [Revised: 07/31/2019] [Accepted: 08/14/2019] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Leonurine, also named SCM-198, which was extracted from Herba leonuri, displayed a protective effect on various cardiovascular and brain diseases, like ischemic stroke. Ischemic stroke which is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality, ultimately caused irreversible neuron damage. This study is aimed at exploring the possible therapeutic potential of SCM-198 in the protection against postischemic neuronal injury and possible underlying mechanisms. A transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (tMCAO) rat model was utilized to measure the protective effect of SCM-198 on neurons. TEM was used to determine neuron ultrastructural changes. The brain slices were stained with Nissl staining solution for Nissl bodies. Fluoro-Jade B (FJB) was used for staining the degenerating neurons. In the oxygen-glucose deprivation and re-oxygenation (OGD/R) model of bEnd.3 cells treated with SCM-198 (0.1, 1, 10 μM). Then, the bEnd.3 cells were cocultured with SH-SY5Y cells. Cell viability, MDA level, CAT activity, and apoptosis were examined to evaluate the cytotoxicity of these treatments. Western blot and immunofluorescent assays were used to examine the expression of protein related to the p-STAT3/NOX4/Bcl-2 signaling pathway. Coimmunoprecipitation was performed to determine the interaction between p-STAT3 and NOX4. In the transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (tMCAO) rat model, we found that treatment with SCM-198 could ameliorate neuron morphology and reduce the degenerating cell and neuron loss. In the in vitro model of bEnd.3 cell oxygen-glucose deprivation and reoxygenation (OGD/R), treatment with SCM-198 restored the activity of catalase (CAT), improved the expression of Cu-Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD1), and decreased the malondialdehyde (MDA) production. SCM-198 treatment prevented OGD/R-induced cell apoptosis as indicated by increased cell viability and decreased the number of TUNEL-positive cells, accompanied with upregulation of Bcl-2 and Bcl-xl protein and downregulation Bax protein. The results were consistent with SH-SY5Y cells which coculture with bEnd.3 cells. The forthcoming study revealed that SCM-198 activated the p-STAT3/NOX4/Bcl-2 signaling pathway. All the data indicated that SCM-198 protected against oxidative stress and neuronal damage in in vivo and in vitro injury models via the p-STAT3/NOX4/Bcl-2 signaling pathway. Our results suggested that SCM-198 could be the potential drug for neuroprotective effect through stabilizing endothelial cell function.
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Suguro R, Chen S, Yang D, Yang Z, Miao L, Wu W, Zeng W, Liu X, Zhu YZ. Anti-hypercholesterolemic Effects and a Good Safety Profile of SCM-198 in Animals: From ApoE Knockout Mice to Rhesus Monkeys. Front Pharmacol 2018; 9:1468. [PMID: 30618759 PMCID: PMC6300478 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2018.01468] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2018] [Accepted: 11/30/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Although several lipid-lowering agents have been introduced for the treatment of atherosclerosis (AS), currently marketed medications have not solved the problem completely. This study aims to investigate the effects of leonurine (SCM-198) on dyslipidemia in mammals with ApoE knockout (ApoE-/-) mice, New Zealand white rabbits and senile Rhesus monkeys fed with high fat diet were dosed daily with leonurine or atorvastatin. The serum total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low density lipoprotein (LDL), and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) were determined. Moreover, in Rhesus monkeys, bodyweight, arterial ultrasound of right common carotid artery, Apolipoprotein A1 (ApoA1) and ApoB levels, hematologic and toxicological examinations were detected. Serum TC and TG in both mice and rabbits were significantly reduced by SCM-198 and atorvastatin. In the 10 mg/kg SCM-198 group of monkeys, maximum TC reduction of 24.05% was achieved at day 150, while 13.16% LDL reduction achieved at day 60, without arterial morphologic changes or adverse events. Atorvastatin (1.2 mg/kg) showed similar effects as SCM-198 in improving lipid profiles in monkeys, yet its long-term use could induce tolerance. Furthermore, leonurine suppressed genes expression of fatty acid synthesis, such as fatty acid synthase (FASN), stearoyl-CoA desaturase (SCD-1), sterol regulatory element-binding protein (SREBF) in liver in high fat diet feeding ApoE-/- mice. SCM-198, with a reliable safety profile, is of high value in improving lipid profiles in mammals, providing an alternative to a substantial population who are statin-intolerant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rinkiko Suguro
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Bioactive Small Molecules, Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,School of Pharmacy, Macau University of Science and Technology - State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Taipa, Macau
| | - Siyao Chen
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, Guangdong General Hospital, Guangdong Cardiovascular Institute, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Di Yang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Bioactive Small Molecules, Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | | | - Lei Miao
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Bioactive Small Molecules, Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Weijun Wu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Bioactive Small Molecules, Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Wen Zeng
- Sichuan Primed Co., Ltd., Chengdu, China
| | - Xinhua Liu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Bioactive Small Molecules, Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yi Zhun Zhu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Bioactive Small Molecules, Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,School of Pharmacy, Macau University of Science and Technology - State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Taipa, Macau
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Zhu YZ, Wu W, Zhu Q, Liu X. Discovery of Leonuri and therapeutical applications: From bench to bedside. Pharmacol Ther 2018; 188:26-35. [PMID: 29360539 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2018.01.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Despite several advances in percutaneous coronary intervention and the discovery of new drugs, the incidence of myocardial infarction and deaths due to cardiovascular diseases (CVD) has not decreased markedly in China. The quality of life is affected seriously, which further results in great social and family burden. Many drugs, from the century-old aspirin to the newly FDA-approved Byvalson, have been proven to be effective in the treatment and prevention of CVD. As clinically reported, those life-saving drugs still have their side effects in regards to the narrow therapeutic indexes influenced by individual genetic variations. Herba Leonuri, also known as Chinese Motherwort, which are naturally present in plants and traditionally are used for the uterotonic action, postpartum blood stasis, breast pain as well as other gynecological disorders in China for thousands of years. Since the last two decades, our group has reported leonurine, a unique alkaloid found in Herba Leonuri, exhibits various bioactivities such as antioxidant, anti-apoptotic effects, free radical scavenging and anti-inflammatory effects, in addition to improving micro-circulation. These bioactivities are related to the underlying mechanisms of ischemic heart diseases and cardiac fibrosis. Pharmacological studies have proven leonurine to be effective in treating CVD in various ways, particularly ischemic heart diseases. Besides the cardio protective effects, which are similar in the central nervous system, more specifically, inhibited mitochondrial reactive oxygen species production together with the restored mitochondrial function and redox state were observed in middle cerebral artery occlusion rats by leonurine treatment, which strongly reveals its neuroprotective effects and carries a therapeutic potential for recovery and prevention of stroke. Based on their mode of action, we propose that leonurine can be developed as drugs to treat ischemic heart diseases. Taking advantage of the most recent findings in pharmacological research including the effects of low toxicity and good pharmacokinetics characteristics, leonurine has a very attractive prospect of clinical application. Our recent promising pharmacological results may be able to eradicate the barrier hindering its sale on market. In sum, from bench to bedside is no longer a long way for leonurine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Zhun Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine and School of Pharmacy, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macau, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Bioactive Small Molecules, Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai 201203, China.
| | - Weijun Wu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Bioactive Small Molecules, Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Qing Zhu
- School of Pharmacy, Nan Tong University, Nan Tong, China
| | - Xinhua Liu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Bioactive Small Molecules, Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai 201203, China.
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Zhang RH, Liu ZK, Yang DS, Zhang XJ, Sun HD, Xiao WL. Phytochemistry and pharmacology of the genus Leonurus: The herb to benefit the mothers and more. PHYTOCHEMISTRY 2018; 147:167-183. [PMID: 29335190 DOI: 10.1016/j.phytochem.2017.12.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2017] [Revised: 12/21/2017] [Accepted: 12/23/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Plants belonging to the genus Leonurus, also named motherwort, are traditionally used for anti-gynecological disorder in East Asia, and for sedative in Europe. Chemical investigation of the genus Leonurus not only enriched the natural products library, but also enlarged the pharmacological application of this traditional herb. In this review, we systematically summarized the structures of 259 compounds isolated from the genus Leonurus, featured with 147 labdane diterpenoids. The reported bioactivity studies up to 2017 are presented in the second part, with the main focus on the isolated compounds and also concerning the extracts. In addition to the traditional uterine contraction and sedative activity, recently the cardiovascular protection effect of leonurine has drawn most attention. Other than that, neuroprotection, anti-inflammation, anti-cancer, anti-platelet aggregation and many other activities have been assigned to various compounds from the genus Leonurus. Among 70 bioactivity references cited in this review, 57% of them were concentrated on two alkaloids (leonurine and stachydrine), whereas only 20% are about the 147 diterpenoids. Anti-inflammation is the major bioactivity discovered so far for the labdane diterpenoids from the genus Leonurus, whose further therapeutic potential still remains for exploration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui-Han Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemistry for Natural Resource, Ministry of Education, Yunnan University, Kunming 650091, PR China
| | - Zhi-Ke Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Phytochemistry and Plant Resources in West China, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650201, PR China
| | - Da-Song Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Phytochemistry and Plant Resources in West China, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650201, PR China
| | - Xing-Jie Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemistry for Natural Resource, Ministry of Education, Yunnan University, Kunming 650091, PR China
| | - Han-Dong Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Phytochemistry and Plant Resources in West China, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650201, PR China
| | - Wei-Lie Xiao
- Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemistry for Natural Resource, Ministry of Education, Yunnan University, Kunming 650091, PR China.
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Zhao H, Hu XG, Xu MJ, Cai QX, Liu YJ, Su DM, Chen SJ, Wang K, Gong ZN. Six-step synthesis of Leonurine and toxicity study on zebrafish. CHINESE CHEM LETT 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cclet.2017.03.041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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10
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Systems pharmacology exploration of botanic drug pairs reveals the mechanism for treating different diseases. Sci Rep 2016; 6:36985. [PMID: 27841365 PMCID: PMC5107896 DOI: 10.1038/srep36985] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2015] [Accepted: 10/24/2016] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Multi-herb therapy has been widely used in Traditional Chinese medicine and tailored to meet the specific needs of each individual. However, the potential molecular or systems mechanisms of them to treat various diseases have not been fully elucidated. To address this question, a systems pharmacology approach, integrating pharmacokinetics, pharmacology and systems biology, is used to comprehensively identify the drug-target and drug-disease networks, exemplified by three representative Radix Salviae Miltiorrhizae herb pairs for treating various diseases (coronary heart disease, dysmenorrheal and nephrotic syndrome). First, the compounds evaluation and the multiple targeting technology screen the active ingredients and identify the specific targets for each herb of three pairs. Second, the herb feature mapping reveals the differences in chemistry and pharmacological synergy between pairs. Third, the constructed compound-target-disease network explains the mechanisms of treatment for various diseases from a systematic level. Finally, experimental verification is taken to confirm our strategy. Our work provides an integrated strategy for revealing the mechanism of synergistic herb pairs, and also a rational way for developing novel drug combinations for treatments of complex diseases.
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Yang D, Jia W, Zhu YZ. Leonurine, a Potential Agent of Traditional Chinese Medicine: Recent Updates and Future Perspectives. Nat Prod Commun 2016. [DOI: 10.1177/1934578x1601101130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Herba Leonuri, also named Chinese Motherwort, has been extensively investigated as an effective agent on the uterus system. Our group has been studying the natural products of Herba Leonuri for several years, and during this period, many biological activities of the drug were recognized. Leonurine (4-guanidino- N-butyl-syringate) is an alkaloid present in Herba Leonuri. Recently, growing evidence has highlighted the therapeutic potential of leonurine in multiple diseases, especially cardiovascular. In this review, we discuss the biological activities of leonurine, as well as recent advances involving this alkaloid.
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Affiliation(s)
- Di Yang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Bioactive Small Molecules, Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai, China, 201203
| | - Wanwan Jia
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Bioactive Small Molecules, Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai, China, 201203
| | - Yi Zhun Zhu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Bioactive Small Molecules, Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai, China, 201203
- School of Pharmacy, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macau
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Hoffmann KM, Herbrechter R, Ziemba PM, Lepke P, Beltrán L, Hatt H, Werner M, Gisselmann G. Kampo Medicine: Evaluation of the Pharmacological Activity of 121 Herbal Drugs on GABAA and 5-HT3A Receptors. Front Pharmacol 2016; 7:219. [PMID: 27524967 PMCID: PMC4965468 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2016.00219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2016] [Accepted: 07/06/2016] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Kampo medicine is a form of Japanese phytotherapy originating from traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). During the last several decades, much attention has been paid to the pharmacological effects of these medical plants and their constituents. However, in many cases, a systematic screening of Kampo remedies to determine pharmacologically relevant targets is still lacking. In this study, a broad screening of Kampo remedies was performed to look for pharmacologically relevant 5-HT3A and GABAA receptor ligands. Several of the Kampo remedies are currently used for symptoms such as nausea, emesis, gastrointestinal motility disorders, anxiety, restlessness, or insomnia. Therefore, the pharmacological effects of 121 herbal drugs from Kampo medicine were analyzed as ethanol tinctures on heterologously expressed 5-HT3A and GABAA receptors, due to the involvement of these receptors in such pathophysiological processes. The tinctures of Lindera aggregata (radix) and Leonurus japonicus (herba) were the most effective inhibitory compounds on the 5-HT3A receptor. Further investigation of known ingredients in these compounds led to the identification of leonurine from Leonurus as a new natural 5-HT3A receptor antagonist. Several potentiating herbs (e.g., Magnolia officinalis (cortex), Syzygium aromaticum (flos), and Panax ginseng (radix)) were also identified for the GABAA receptor, which are all traditionally used for their sedative or anxiolytic effects. A variety of tinctures with antagonistic effects Salvia miltiorrhiza (radix) were also detected. Therefore, this study reveals new insights into the pharmacological action of a broad spectrum of herbal drugs from Kampo, allowing for a better understanding of their physiological effects and clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katrin M Hoffmann
- Department of Cell Physiology, Ruhr University Bochum Bochum, Germany
| | - Robin Herbrechter
- Department of Cell Physiology, Ruhr University Bochum Bochum, Germany
| | - Paul M Ziemba
- Department of Cell Physiology, Ruhr University Bochum Bochum, Germany
| | - Peter Lepke
- Kronen Apotheke Wuppertal Wuppertal, Germany
| | - Leopoldo Beltrán
- Department of Cell Physiology, Ruhr University Bochum Bochum, Germany
| | - Hanns Hatt
- Department of Cell Physiology, Ruhr University Bochum Bochum, Germany
| | - Markus Werner
- Department of Cell Physiology, Ruhr University Bochum Bochum, Germany
| | - Günter Gisselmann
- Department of Cell Physiology, Ruhr University Bochum Bochum, Germany
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Nsuala BN, Enslin G, Viljoen A. "Wild cannabis": A review of the traditional use and phytochemistry of Leonotis leonurus. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2015; 174:520-539. [PMID: 26292023 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2015.08.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2015] [Revised: 08/14/2015] [Accepted: 08/15/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Leonotis leonurus, locally commonly known as "wilde dagga" (=wild cannabis), is traditionally used as a decoction, both topically and orally, in the treatment of a wide variety of conditions such as haemorrhoids, eczema, skin rashes, boils, itching, muscular cramps, headache, epilepsy, chest infections, constipation, spider and snake bites. The dried leaves and flowers are also smoked to relieve epilepsy. The leaves and flowers are reported to produce a mild euphoric effect when smoked and have been said to have a similar, although less potent, psychoactive effect to cannabis. AIM OF THE REVIEW To amalgamate the botanical aspects, ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry, biological activity, toxicity and commercial aspects of the scientific literature available on L. leonurus. METHODS An extensive review of the literature from 1900 to 2015 was carried out. Electronic databases including Scopus, SciFinder, Pubmed, Google Scholar and Google were used as data sources. All abstracts, full-text articles and books written in English were considered. RESULTS The phytochemistry of particularly the non-volatile constituents of L. leonurus has been comprehensively investigated due to interest generated as a result of the wide variety of biological effects reported for this plant. More than 50 compounds have been isolated and characterised. L. leonurus contains mainly terpenoids, particularly labdane diterpenes, the major diterpene reported is marrubiin. Various other compounds have been reported by some authors to have been isolated from the plant, including, in the popular literature only, the mildly psychoactive alkaloid, leonurine. Leonurine has however, never been reported by any scientific analysis of the extracts of L. leonurus. CONCLUSION Despite the publication of various papers on L. leonurus, there is still, however, the need for definitive research and clarification of other compounds, including alkaloids and essential oils from L. leonurus, as well as from other plant parts, such as the roots which are extensively used in traditional medicine. The traditional use by smoking also requires further investigation as to how the chemistry and activity are affected by this form of administration. Research has proven the psychoactive effects of the crude extract of L. leonurus, but confirmation of the presence of psychoactive compounds, as well as isolation and characterization, is still required. Deliberate adulteration of L. leonurus with synthetic cannabinoids has been reported recently, in an attempt to facilitate the marketing of these illegal substances, highlighting the necessity for refinement of appropriate quality control processes to ensure safety and quality. Much work is therefore still required on the aspect of quality control to ensure safety, quality and efficacy of the product supplied to patients, as this plant is widely used in South Africa as a traditional medicine. Commercially available plant sources provide a viable option for phytochemical research, particularly with regard to the appropriate validation of the plant material (taxonomy) in order to identify and delimit closely related species such as L. leonurus and L. nepetifolia which are very similar in habit.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baudry N Nsuala
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Science, Tshwane University of Technology, Private Bag X680, Pretoria, 0001, South Africa
| | - Gill Enslin
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Science, Tshwane University of Technology, Private Bag X680, Pretoria, 0001, South Africa.
| | - Alvaro Viljoen
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Science, Tshwane University of Technology, Private Bag X680, Pretoria, 0001, South Africa; SAMRC Herbal Drugs Research Unit, Faculty of Science, Tshwane University of Technology, Private Bag X680, Pretoria, 0001, South Africa
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Sun Y, Zhang X, Lu T, Yuan Y, Ding Q, Lu C. A study on the PK and BA profiles in the mouse body for leonurine O/O microemulsion with determination by the LC-MS/MS method. Eur J Drug Metab Pharmacokinet 2015; 41:423-32. [DOI: 10.1007/s13318-015-0268-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2014] [Accepted: 02/11/2015] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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15
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Tsai DS, Chang YS, Li TC, Peng WH. Prescription pattern of Chinese herbal products for hypertension in Taiwan: a population-based study. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2014; 155:1534-1540. [PMID: 25091464 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2014.07.047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2014] [Revised: 07/17/2014] [Accepted: 07/23/2014] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has been commonly used in Asia country. The aim of this study is to analyze the utilization of TCM among hypertensive patients in Taiwan. MATERIALS AND METHODS The use of TCM for primary hypertensive patients was evaluated using a randomly sampled cohort of 1,000,0s recruited from the National Health Insurance Research Database in 5-year period from 2006 to 2010. RESULTS Overall, 49.7% (n=42,586) of primary hypertension utilized TCM and 12.1% (n=5132) of them used TCM for the treatment of hypertension. Among the top 10 most frequently prescribed herbal formulae, Tian-Ma-Gou-Teng-Yin, Gout-Teng-San, Liu-Wei-Di-Huang-Wang and its derivatives were found to be the most common herbal formulae prescribed by TCM doctors for the treatment of hypertension in Taiwan. CONCLUSION This study showed the utilization pattern of Chinese herbal product in patients with hypertension. Further researches and clinical trials are needed to evaluate the efficacy of these Chinese formulae or its ingredients in treating hypertension.
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Affiliation(s)
- Der-Shiang Tsai
- Department of Chinese Pharmaceutical Sciences and Chinese Medicine Resources, College of Pharmacy, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Yuan-Shiun Chang
- Department of Chinese Pharmaceutical Sciences and Chinese Medicine Resources, College of Pharmacy, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Tsai-Chung Li
- Graduate Institute of Biostatistics, College of Public Health, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan; Department of Health Care Administration, College of Health Science, Asia University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Wen-Huang Peng
- Department of Chinese Pharmaceutical Sciences and Chinese Medicine Resources, College of Pharmacy, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan.
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Hu D, Peng J, Zhang X, Zheng H, Yan S, Zhang Y, Guan Q, Ding Q. Thyroid hormone exacerbates vasoconstriction in insulin resistance: The role of ONOO−. Eur J Pharmacol 2014; 730:41-50. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2014.02.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2013] [Revised: 02/14/2014] [Accepted: 02/17/2014] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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Characterization of metabolites of leonurine (SCM-198) in rats after oral administration by liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry and NMR spectrometry. ScientificWorldJournal 2014; 2014:947946. [PMID: 24772041 PMCID: PMC3956552 DOI: 10.1155/2014/947946] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2013] [Accepted: 12/31/2013] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Leonurine, a major bioactive component from Herba Leonuri, shows therapeutic potential for cardiovascular disease and stroke prevention in some preclinical experiments. The aim of this study is to characterize metabolites of leonurine in rats using high performance liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC/MS/MS). The chromatographic separation was performed on an Agilent ZORBAX SB-C18 column using a gradient elution with acetonitrile/ammonium acetate buffer (10 mM, pH 4.0) solvent system. An information dependent acquisition (IDA) method was developed for screening and identifying metabolites of leonurine under positive ion mode. Compared with control, the interesting compound in the extracted ion chromatogram (XIC) of the in vivo samples was chosen and further identified by analyzing their retention times, changes in observed mass (Δm/z), and spectral patterns of product ion utilizing advanced software tool. For the first time, a total of three metabolites were identified, including two phase II metabolites generated by glucuronidation (M1) and sulfation (M2) and one phase I metabolite formed by O-demethylation (M3). Finally, the lead metabolite M1 was isolated from urine and its structure was characterized as leonurine-10-O-β-D-glucuronide by NMR spectroscopy (1H, 13C, HMBC, and HSQC).
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18
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de Boer HJ, Cotingting C. Medicinal plants for women's healthcare in southeast Asia: a meta-analysis of their traditional use, chemical constituents, and pharmacology. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2014; 151:747-67. [PMID: 24269772 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2013.11.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2013] [Revised: 11/11/2013] [Accepted: 11/13/2013] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE This is an extensive review of plants used traditionally for women's healthcare in Southeast Asia and surrounding countries. Medicinal plants have a significant role in women's healthcare in many rural areas of the world. Plants with numerous efficacious observations have historically been used as a starting point in the development of new drugs, and a large percentage of modern pharmaceuticals have been derived from medicinal plants. MATERIALS AND METHODS A review was conducted for all plant use mentioned specifically for female healthcare, such as medicine to increase fertility, induce menstruation or abortion, ease pregnancy and parturition, reduce menstrual bleeding and postpartum hemorrhage, alleviate menstrual, parturition and postpartum pain, increase or inhibit lactation, and treat mastitis and uterine prolapse, in 200 studies focusing on medicinal plant use, either general studies or studies focusing specifically on women's healthcare. RESULTS Nearly 2000 different plant species are reported to be used in over 5000 combinations. Most common are Achyranthes aspera, Artemisia vulgaris, Blumea balsamifera, Carica papaya, Curcuma longa, Hibiscus rosa-sinensis, Leonurus japonicus, Psidium guajava and Ricinus communis, and each of these species had been reported in more than 10 different scientific articles. CONCLUSIONS This review provides a basis for traditional plant use in women's healthcare, and these species can be used as the starting point in the discovery of new drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hugo J de Boer
- Department of Systematic Biology, Evolutionary Biology Centre, Uppsala University, Norbyvagen 18D, SE-75236 Uppsala, Sweden; Naturalis Biodiversity Center, NHN Leiden University, Einsteinweg 2, P.O. Box 9514, The Netherlands; Natural History Museum, University of Oslo, 0318 Oslo, Norway.
| | - Crystle Cotingting
- Department of Systematic Biology, Evolutionary Biology Centre, Uppsala University, Norbyvagen 18D, SE-75236 Uppsala, Sweden
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Chen HY, Lin YH, Su IH, Chen YC, Yang SH, Chen JL. Investigation on Chinese herbal medicine for primary dysmenorrhea: implication from a nationwide prescription database in Taiwan. Complement Ther Med 2013; 22:116-25. [PMID: 24559826 DOI: 10.1016/j.ctim.2013.11.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2012] [Revised: 06/26/2013] [Accepted: 11/27/2013] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Primary dysmenorrhea is a common gynecological condition, for which Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) has been widely used in addition to western medicine. The aim of this study is to explore CHM commonly used to treat dysmenorrhea in young Chinese women. DESIGN Observational retrospective study. SETTING The National Health Insurance Research Database in Taiwan. POPULATION Women aged from 13 to 25 years with single diagnosis of primary dysmenorrhea. METHODS CHM prescriptions made for primary dysmenorrhea women during 1998-2008 were extracted to build up CHM prescription database. Association rule mining was used to explore the prevalent CHM combination patterns in treating primary dysmenorrhea. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Prevalence and mechanisms of CHM combinations. RESULTS Totally 57,315 prescriptions were analyzed and, on average, 5.3 CHM was used in one prescription. Dang-Gui-Shao-Yao-San (DGSYS) was the most commonly used herbal formula (27.2%), followed by Jia-Wei-Xiao-Yao-San (JWXYS) (20.7%) and Wen-Jing-Tang (WJT) (20.5%). Corydalis yanhusuo and Cyperus rotundus were the most commonly used single herb, found in 33.1% and 29.2% of all prescriptions. Additionally, C. yanhusuo with C. rotundus is the most commonly used two CHM in combination, accounting for 14.24% of all prescriptions, followed by DGSYS with C. yanhusuo (10.47%). Multi-target effects on primary dysmenorrhea, such as analgesia, mood modifying and hormone adjustment, were found among commonly prescribed CHM in this study. CONCLUSIONS This study discovered the potential importance of C. yanhusuo, C. rotundus and DGSYS in treating primary dysmenorrhea. Further clinical trials or bench studies are warranted based on the results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hsing-Yu Chen
- Division of Chinese Internal Medicine, Center for Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan; Graduate Institute of Clinical Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Chang Gung, University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Hsuan Lin
- Division of Chinese Internal Medicine, Center for Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan; Graduate Institute of Clinical Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Chang Gung, University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Irene H Su
- University of California, San Diego, Department of Reproductive Medicine, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - Yu-Chun Chen
- Department of Medical Research and Education, National Yang-Ming University Hospital, I-Lan, Taiwan; Institute of Hospital and Health Care Administration, School of Medicine, National, Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan.
| | - Sien-Hung Yang
- Division of Chinese Internal Medicine, Center for Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan; School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, College of Medicine, Chang Gung, University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Jiun-Liang Chen
- Division of Chinese Internal Medicine, Center for Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan; School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, College of Medicine, Chang Gung, University, Taoyuan, Taiwan; Institute of Traditional Medicine, School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming, University, Taipei, Taiwan
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20
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Vasodilator compounds derived from plants and their mechanisms of action. Molecules 2013; 18:5814-57. [PMID: 23685938 PMCID: PMC6270466 DOI: 10.3390/molecules18055814] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2013] [Revised: 04/24/2013] [Accepted: 05/07/2013] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
The present paper reviews vasodilator compounds isolated from plants that were reported in the past 22 years (1990 to 2012) and the different mechanisms of action involved in their vasodilator effects. The search for reports was conducted in a comprehensive manner, intending to encompass those metabolites with a vasodilator effect whose mechanism of action involved both vascular endothelium and arterial smooth muscle. The results obtained from our bibliographic search showed that over half of the isolated compounds have a mechanism of action involving the endothelium. Most of these bioactive metabolites cause vasodilation either by activating the nitric oxide/cGMP pathway or by blocking voltage-dependent calcium channels. Moreover, it was found that many compounds induced vasodilation by more than one mechanism. This review confirms that secondary metabolites, which include a significant group of compounds with extensive chemical diversity, are a valuable source of new pharmaceuticals useful for the treatment and prevention of cardiovascular diseases.
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Maione F, Cicala C, Musciacco G, De Feo V, Amat AG, Ialenti A, Mascolo N. Phenols, Alkaloids and Terpenes from Medicinal Plants with Antihypertensive and Vasorelaxant Activities. A Review of Natural Products as Leads to Potential Therapeutic Agents. Nat Prod Commun 2013. [DOI: 10.1177/1934578x1300800434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Numerous studies support the cardiovascular effects of medicinal plants. This review examines plants whose antihypertensive and vasorelaxant effects have been scientifically validated. Our study selected only chemically characterized plants whose mode of action had already been investigated. The aim of the paper is to provide a quick way to identify medicinal plants and their constituents with antihypertensive and vasorelaxant activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Maione
- Dipartimento di Farmacia, Università di Napoli Federico II, Via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Napoli, Italy
| | - Carla Cicala
- Dipartimento di Farmacia, Università di Napoli Federico II, Via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Napoli, Italy
| | - Giulia Musciacco
- Dipartimento di Farmacia, Università di Napoli Federico II, Via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Napoli, Italy
| | - Vincenzo De Feo
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmaceutiche e Biomediche, Università degli Studi di Salerno, Via Ponte don Melillo, 84084, Fisciano (Salerno), Italy
| | - Anibal G. Amat
- Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Quimicas y Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Misiones, Felix de Azara 1552, 3300 Posadas, Misiones, Argentina
| | - Armando Ialenti
- Dipartimento di Farmacia, Università di Napoli Federico II, Via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Napoli, Italy
| | - Nicola Mascolo
- Dipartimento di Farmacia, Università di Napoli Federico II, Via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Napoli, Italy
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He F, Lindqvist C, Harding WW. Leonurenones A-C: Labdane diterpenes from Leonotis leonurus. PHYTOCHEMISTRY 2012; 83:168-72. [PMID: 22892215 PMCID: PMC3685147 DOI: 10.1016/j.phytochem.2012.07.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2011] [Revised: 05/25/2012] [Accepted: 07/17/2012] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
Labdanes, leonurenones A-C, two known labdanes, luteolin 7-O-β-glucoside and luteolin were isolated and characterized from a commercial source of Leonotis leonurus. Genetic methods allowed for identification of the plant material. The leonurenones contain an uncommon α,β-unsaturated enone moiety in ring B, and leonurenones A and B were evaluated in a competitive inhibition assay at the GABA A neuroreceptor site.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fang He
- Department of Chemistry, Hunter College, City University of New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Charlotte Lindqvist
- Department of Biological Sciences, State University of New York, Buffalo, NY 14260, USA
| | - Wayne W. Harding
- Department of Chemistry, Hunter College, City University of New York, NY 10065, USA
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Liu XH, Pan LL, Zhu YZ. Active chemical compounds of traditional Chinese medicine Herba Leonuri: implications for cardiovascular diseases. Clin Exp Pharmacol Physiol 2012; 39:274-82. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1440-1681.2011.05630.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Zhu Q, Cai W, Sha X, Ma G, Zheng Y, Shi X, Zhu Y. Quantification of leonurine, a novel potential cardiovascular agent, in rat plasma by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry and its application to pharmacokinetic study in rats. Biomed Chromatogr 2011; 26:518-23. [DOI: 10.1002/bmc.1699] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2011] [Accepted: 07/22/2011] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Weimin Cai
- School of Pharmacy; Fudan University; Zhangheng Road 826; Pudong District; Shanghai; 200032; China
| | - Xianyi Sha
- School of Pharmacy; Fudan University; Zhangheng Road 826; Pudong District; Shanghai; 200032; China
| | - Guo Ma
- School of Pharmacy; Fudan University; Zhangheng Road 826; Pudong District; Shanghai; 200032; China
| | - Yuanting Zheng
- School of Pharmacy; Fudan University; Zhangheng Road 826; Pudong District; Shanghai; 200032; China
| | - Xueru Shi
- School of Pharmacy; Fudan University; Zhangheng Road 826; Pudong District; Shanghai; 200032; China
| | - Yizhun Zhu
- School of Pharmacy; Fudan University; Zhangheng Road 826; Pudong District; Shanghai; 200032; China
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Liang H, Liu P, Wang Y, Song S, Ji A. Protective effects of alkaloid extract from Leonurus heterophyllus on cerebral ischemia reperfusion injury by middle cerebral ischemic injury (MCAO) in rats. PHYTOMEDICINE : INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHYTOTHERAPY AND PHYTOPHARMACOLOGY 2011; 18:811-818. [PMID: 21377850 DOI: 10.1016/j.phymed.2011.01.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2010] [Revised: 12/03/2010] [Accepted: 01/23/2011] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
The neuronal damage following cerebral ischemia is a serious risk to stroke patients. The aim of this study was to investigate the neuroprotective effects of alkaloid extract from Leonurus heterophyllus (LHAE) on cerebral ischemic injury. After 24 h of reperfusion following ischemia for 2 h induced by middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO), some rats were intraperitoneally administered different doses of LHAE (3.6, 7.2, 14.4 mg/kg, respectively). Neurological examination was measured in all animals. Infarct volume, myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, levels of nitrate/nitrite metabolite (NO) and apoptosis ratio of nerve fiber in brain were determined. The results showed that LHAE at 7.2 mg/kg or 14.4 mg/kg exerted significantly decreasing neurological deficit scores and reducing the infarct volume on rats with focal cerebral ischemic injury (p<0.05). At those dose, the MPO content were significantly decreased in ischemic brain as compared with model group (p<0.05). LHAE at 14.4 mg/kg significantly decreased the NO level compared with the model group (p<0.05). In addition, LHAE significantly decreased the apoptosis ratio of nerve fiber compared with the model group (p<0.05). This study suggests that LHAE may be used for treatment of ischemic stroke as a neuroprotective agent. Further studies are warranted to assess the efficacy and safety of LHAE in patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Liang
- SDU-Weihai International Biotechnology R&D Center, Shandong University at Weihai, 180 Wenhua Xilu, Weihai 264209, PR China
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Liu C, Gu X, Zhu YZ. Synthesis and biological evaluation of novel leonurine–SPRC conjugate as cardioprotective agents. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2010; 20:6942-6. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2010.09.135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2010] [Revised: 09/26/2010] [Accepted: 09/28/2010] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Loh KP, Qi J, Tan BKH, Liu XH, Wei BG, Zhu YZ. Leonurine protects middle cerebral artery occluded rats through antioxidant effect and regulation of mitochondrial function. Stroke 2010; 41:2661-8. [PMID: 20947850 DOI: 10.1161/strokeaha.110.589895] [Citation(s) in RCA: 102] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Oxidative stress is known to be involved in ischemic stroke. Intense interest is drawn to the therapeutic potential of Chinese herbs on ischemic stroke because many of them contain antioxidant properties. Leonurine, 1 of the active compounds from purified Herba Leonuri, was studied to evaluate its possible therapeutic effects on ischemic stroke. Method-Middle cerebral artery occlusion was selected as our model of study. The animals were pretreated with Leonurine orally for 7 days and the surgery was done. One day after surgery, 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride staining and neurological deficit score were carried out to evaluate the functional outcome of animals, whereas levels of superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and malondialdehyde were analyzed for oxidative stress analysis. For mitochondrial studies, 3 hours after surgery, mitochondria were isolated for analysis of reactive oxygen species production, adenosine triphosphate biosynthesis, oxygen consumption, and respiratory control ratio value. Result-In in vivo experiments, Leonurine pretreatment reduced infarct volume, improved neurological deficit in stroke groups, increased activities of antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase, and decreased levels from the lipid peroxidation marker malondialdehyde. In terms of mitochondrial modulation, Leonurine inhibited mitochondrial reactive oxygen species production and adenosine triphosphate biosynthesis. Animal studies also demonstrated that the mitochondrial function and redox state were restored by Leonurine treatment. CONCLUSIONS Leonurine has neuroprotective effects and carries a therapeutic potential of stroke prevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kok Poh Loh
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China.
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4-Guanidino-n-butyl Syringate (Leonurine, SCM 198) Protects H9c2 Rat Ventricular Cells From Hypoxia-induced Apoptosis. J Cardiovasc Pharmacol 2009; 54:437-44. [DOI: 10.1097/fjc.0b013e3181bae160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Loh KP, Huang SH, Tan BKH, Zhu YZ. Cerebral protection of purified Herba Leonuri extract on middle cerebral artery occluded rats. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2009; 125:337-343. [PMID: 19497358 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2009.05.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2009] [Revised: 05/21/2009] [Accepted: 05/24/2009] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
AIM OF STUDY Oxidative stress is involved in stroke. In particular, Chinese Herbal Medicine with antioxidant properties is believed to have potential therapeutic effect. In this study, neuroprotective effects of purified Herba Leonuri (pHL) were evaluated in Wistar rats undergone middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). MATERIALS AND METHODS The rats were treated with their respective treatments for 2 weeks prior to the MCAO, continually treated for another 7 days after MCAO. During the post-surgery treatment period, neurological deficit score was measured. At the end of treatment, animals were sacrificed and samples were collected for analysis of infarct volume, apoptosis and antioxidant analysis. RESULTS Under the treatment of pHL, the infarct volume was reduced significantly from 20.75+/-0.03% to 15.19+/-0.02% (p<0.05). The neurological impairment was alleviated to 1.82 as compared to vehicle (2.43). Plasma antioxidant concentration was increased from 0.31+/-0.03 mM to 0.42+/-0.05 mM (p<0.05). DNA oxidative damage was reduced to 1.19+/-0.03 in stroke pHL treated group (p<0.05 as compared to vehicle group, 1.78+/-0.03). pHL could reduce the level of apoptosis and also the pro-apoptotic proteins, but increase the level of anti-apoptotic proteins. CONCLUSION pHL is believed to have promising therapeutic effect for stroke treatment through antioxidant mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kok Poh Loh
- Department of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, Clinical Research Centre MD11, Singapore
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Chen D, Zhao SS, Leung KSY. Improved quality assessment of proprietary Chinese medicines based on multi-chemical class fingerprinting. J Sep Sci 2009; 32:2892-902. [DOI: 10.1002/jssc.200900275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
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Zheng J, Zheng P, Zhou X, Yan L, Zhou R, Fu XY, Dai GD. Relaxant effects of matrine on aortic smooth muscles of guinea pigs. BIOMEDICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES : BES 2009; 22:327-332. [PMID: 19950528 DOI: 10.1016/s0895-3988(09)60063-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To determine whether matrine, a kind of traditional Chinese medicinal alkaloid, can relax the aortic smooth muscles isolated from guinea pigs and to investigate the mechanism of its relaxant effects. METHODS Phenylephrine or potassium chloride concentration-dependent relaxation response of aortic smooth muscles to matrine was studied in the precontracted guinea pigs. RESULTS Matrine (1 x 10(-4) mol/L -3.3 x 10(3) mol/L) relaxed the endothelium-denuded aortic rings pre-contracted sub-maximally with phenylephrine, in a concentration-dependent manner, and its pre-incubation (3.3 x 10(-3) mol/L) produced a significant rightward shift in the phenylephrine dose-response curve, but had no effects on the potassium chloride-induced contraction. The anti-contractile effect of matrine was not reduced by the highly selective ATP-dependent K+ channel blocker glibenclamide (10(-5) mol/L), either by the non-selective K+ channel blocker tetraethylammonium (10(-3) mol/L), or by the beta-antagonist propranolol (10(-5) mol/L). In either "normal" or "Ca(2+)-free" bathing medium, the phenylephrine-induced contraction was attenuated by matrine (3.3 x 10(-3) mol/L), indicating that the vasorelaxation was due to inhibition of intracellular and extracellular Ca2+ mobilization. CONCLUSION Matrine inhibits phenylephrine-induced contractions by inhibiting activation of alpha-adrenoceptor and interfering with the release of intracellular Ca2+ and the influx of extracellular Ca2+.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Zheng
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Science, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan 750004, Ningxia, China.
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Liu XH, Xin H, Hou AJ, Zhu YZ. PROTECTIVE EFFECTS OF LEONURINE IN NEONATAL RAT HYPOXIC CARDIOMYOCYTES AND RAT INFARCTED HEART. Clin Exp Pharmacol Physiol 2009; 36:696-703. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1440-1681.2008.05135.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Herba leonurine attenuates doxorubicin-induced apoptosis in H9c2 cardiac muscle cells. Eur J Pharmacol 2009; 612:75-9. [PMID: 19356731 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2009.03.067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2008] [Revised: 03/12/2009] [Accepted: 03/23/2009] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Doxorubicin (DOX) is a highly effective antineoplastic drug. However, DOX-induced apoptosis in cardiomyocytes leads to irreversible degenerative cardiomyopathy and heart failure, which limits DOX clinical application. Leonurine is a special alkaloid for Herba leonuri, a traditional herb with cardioprotective effects. In current study, we investigated possible protective effects of Leonurine against DOX-induced cardiomyopathy in H9c2 cells. DOX-injured H9c2 cell model was made by application of 2 microM DOX. Leonurine was added to cells 2 h before DOX treatment. Pre-treated with Leonurine could attenuate DOX-induced apoptotic death of H9c2 cell, reduce MDA formation and intracellular Ca2+ overload. Leonurine also attenuated DOX-induced high expression of Bax, increased Bcl-2 expression in both protein and mRNA level. Myocardial mitochondrion is the target organelle of DOX-induced toxicity in cardiomyocytes. Leonurine moderated the dissipation of mitochondrial membrane potential (DeltaPsim) caused by DOX treatment. Our results indicated that Leonurine attenuated DOX-induced apoptosis in H9c2 cell by increasing anti-oxidant, anti-apoptotic ability and protecting mitochondrial function.
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McNeill JR, Jurgens TM. A systematic review of mechanisms by which natural products of plant origin evoke vasodilatation. Can J Physiol Pharmacol 2007; 84:803-21. [PMID: 17111026 DOI: 10.1139/y06-028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
This article reviews the body of work aimed at elucidating the mechanisms of action by which natural products of plant origin exert a vasodilatory effect at the level of the vasculature. The search was restricted to 4 mechanisms: the nitric oxide system and (or) reactive oxygen species, the eicosanoid system, potassium channel function, and calcium channel function. The National Library of Medicine database was searched using "PubMed" without restriction to language. The search generated 266 references on 15 November 2005. Most studies were in vitro in nature and of these, most involved studies in the rat aorta. Many of the natural products evoked vasodilatation through an endothelium-dependent mechanism. The vasodilatation was attenuated or abolished by a nitric oxide synthase inhibitor and, in some of these studies, by an inhibitor of guanylate cyclase. A few studies reported a cyclooxygenase component, but most found no effect of the cyclooxygenase inhibitor, indomethacin. The vasorelaxation evoked by several natural products was attenuated by various potassium channel blocking agents, suggesting that some natural products exerted their effect either directly or indirectly through activation of potassium channels. Finally, a significant number of natural products evoked vasodilatation either through blockade of calcium channels or by inhibiting the release of calcium from intracellular stores. Many natural products evoked vasodilatation through multiple mechanisms. The information in this review on mechanisms of action should facilitate good clinical practice by increasing the predictive capabilities of the practitioner, notably the ability to predict adverse effects and interactions among medications. The knowledge should also help to provide leads to the ultimate goal of developing new therapeutic medications.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Robert McNeill
- College of Pharmacy, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia B3H 3J5, Canada
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Wu XL, Wang YY, Cheng J, Zhao YY. Calcium channel blocking activity of calycosin, a major active component of Astragali Radix, on rat aorta. Acta Pharmacol Sin 2006; 27:1007-12. [PMID: 16867251 DOI: 10.1111/j.1745-7254.2006.00349.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
AIM To investigate the vasoactivity of calycosin, a major active component of Astragali Radix. METHODS Experiments were performed on isolated rat thoracic aortic rings pre-contracted with phenylephrine (PHE) or KCl. RESULTS Calycosin produced a concentration-dependent relaxation on the tissue pre-contracted using PHE with 4.46+/-0.13 of pD(2) and 95.85%+/-2.67% of E(max); or using KCl with 4.27+/-0.05 of pD2 and 99.06%+/-2.15% of Emax, and displaced downwards the concentration-response curves of aortic rings to PHE or KCl. The relaxant effect of calycosin on denuded endothelium aortic rings was the same as on intact endothelium aortic rings, and its vasorelaxant effect was not influenced by L-NAME or indomethacin. In Ca(2+)-free solution, calycosin (30 micromol/L) did not have an effect on PHE (1 micromol/L)-induced aortic ring contraction. The effects of calycosin and nifedipine where somewhat different; calycosin decreased aortic ring contractions induced by the two agonists, but nifedipine displayed a more potent inhibitory effect on KCl-induced contractions than on PHE-induced contractions, and the vascular relaxing effects of calycosin and nifidipine were additive on PHE-induced contraction but not KCl-induced. CONCLUSION Calycosin is a vasorelaxant. Its action is endothelium-independent and is unrelated to intracellular Ca(2+) release. It is a noncompetitive Ca(2+) channel blocker. The effect of calycosin on Ca(2+) channel blockade may be different from that of dihydropyridines. This study demonstrated a novel pharmacological activity of calycosin, and supplied a theoretic foundation for Astragali Radix application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiu-Li Wu
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100083, China
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Ngai HHY, Sit WH, Wan JME. The nephroprotective effects of the herbal medicine preparation, WH30+, on the chemical-induced acute and chronic renal failure in rats. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF CHINESE MEDICINE 2005; 33:491-500. [PMID: 16047565 DOI: 10.1142/s0192415x05003089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
In this study, we evaluated the renal protective effects of a Chinese herbal preparation WH30+ in male Wistar rats with glycerol-induced acute renal failure and adenine-induced chronic renal failure. WH30+ is a Chinese herb preparation composed of Rheum Palmatum, Salvia Miltiorrhiza, Cordyceps Sinensis, Leonurus Sibiricus, Epihedium Macranthum, Radix Astragali, and Radix Codonopsis Pilosulae, which has been used to treat kidney deficiency in human. An acute renal failure and chronic renal failure rat model were introduced by glycerol injection (i.m.) and fed with adenine-excessive diet, respectively. WH30+ was administered to rats at the dose of 50 mg/kg/day from 10 days before the diseases were induced until the rats were sacrificed. A reduction in body weight (p < 0.01) was observed in rats with chronic renal failure, but there was no difference between treatment groups. However, the body weight of rats with acute renal failure without treatment was significantly lower than those treated with WH30+ (p < 0.05). Overall, serum creatinine and urea nitrogen were elevated significantly (p < 0.01) in renal failure rats compared to control. Treatment with WH30+ improved both serum creatinine and urea nitrogen slightly in both models. The WH30+-treated rats with acute renal failure had significantly (p < 0.05) greater creatinine clearance than those without treatment. The results of the study show that WH30+ is more effective in the prevention of acute renal failure than chronic renal failure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heidi H Y Ngai
- Division of Food and Nutritional Sciences, Department of Zoology The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, P.R. China
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Sun J, Huang SH, Zhu YC, Whiteman M, Wang MJ, Tan BKH, Zhu YZ. Anti-oxidative stress effects of Herba leonuri on ischemic rat hearts. Life Sci 2005; 76:3043-56. [PMID: 15850597 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2004.11.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2004] [Accepted: 11/23/2004] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Our current study was to test the hypothesis that the extract of Herba leonuri (HL) would have antioxidant and cardioprotective effects on ischemic myocardium. The extract of HL (400 mg/kg/day) was administered orally (daily) starting from 1 week before and continuing until 3 weeks after myocardial infarction (MI). Surviving rats were sacrificed at different time points to obtain left ventricles for biochemical assays. Our study demonstrates for the first time that HL does have antioxidant effects both in vitro and in vivo. The antioxidant effects of HL are exerted only under the condition of oxidative stress, by selectively preserving the activities of superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase, as well as depressing the formation of malondialdehyde, especially in the acute phase of acute MI. Its effects of scavenging free radicals and inhibiting the formation of reactive oxygen species may play a key role in protecting the endogenous antioxidant system from oxidative stress in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian Sun
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 10 Kent Ridge Crescent, 119260, Singapore
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