Salt processing: A unique and classic technology for Chinese medicine processing

Alkaloid uptake pathways in renal tubular epithelial cells from different processed products of Phellodendri chinensis Cortex

This study aimed to investigate the absorption of alkaloids from Phellodendri chinensis Cortex (PC) by human renal tubular epithelial cells (HK-2). Cellular uptake and affinity ultrafiltration assays were employed to determine the alkaloid uptake pathway in HK-2 cells. Stemming from the hypothesis that salt-water processed PC introduces these alkaloids into the kidney at a cellular level, this research focused on different processed products of PC that are tailored for renal targeting. Utilizing the UPLC-QqQ-MS method, we quantified variations in the uptake capacity of phellodendrine, magnoflorine, jatrorrhizine, berberrubine, and berberine from raw Phellodendri chinensis Cortex (RPC), salt-water processed Phellodendri chinensis Cortex (SPC), and wine processed Phellodendri chinensis Cortex (WPC) in HK-2 cells. This study also tracked the concentration changes of these five alkaloids in HK-2 cells during the administration phase. Further, we evaluated the influence of two inhibitors on the absorption of these five alkaloids from PC and its processed products into HK-2 cells: the organic anion transporters (OATs) inhibitor-probenecid (PRO), and the organic cationic transporters (OCTs) inhibitor-tetraethylammonium chloride (TEAC). A pivotal component of this research was an investigation into the effects of PC and its processed products on the expression levels of OCT2, OAT1, and OAT3 proteins in HK-2 cells, facilitated by Western blot analysis. Finally, we appraised the binding affinity of PC's alkaloids to OCT2, OAT1, and OAT3 proteins using an ultrafiltration centrifugation technique. The uptake of different processed products of PC by HK-2 cells showed the following trend: SPC group > RPC group > WPC group. When considering inhibitor uptake in HK-2 cells, the group treated with PRO (an OATs inhibitor) demonstrated a higher uptake than the group treated with TEAC (an OCTs inhibitor). It was observed that different processed products of PC elevated the expression of OCT2 and OAT1 proteins in HK-2 cells. Specifically, both the SPC and berberrubine groups displayed enhanced expression of these proteins, with a marked increase noted for OCT2. Through affinity ultrafiltration assays, it was determined that the binding affinity of alkaloids from different processed products of PC to OCT2 and OAT1 significantly exceeded that to OAT3. These results indicate that PC-derived alkaloids are absorbed by HK-2 cells, predominantly through transport mechanisms mediated by OCT2 and OAT1, with OCT2 serving as the dominant transporter. The higher intake of alkaloids in SPC group can likely be linked to the amplified activity of kidney uptake transporters.

Aconitine and its derivatives: bioactivities, structure-activity relationships and preliminary molecular mechanisms

Aconitine (AC), which is the primary bioactive diterpene alkaloid derived from Aconitum L plants, have attracted considerable interest due to its unique structural feature. Additionally, AC demonstrates a range of biological activities, such as its ability to enhance cardiac function, inhibit tumor growth, reduce inflammation, and provide analgesic effects. However, the structure-activity relationships of AC are remain unclear. A clear understanding of these relationships is indeed critical in developing effective biomedical applications with AC. In line with these challenges, this paper summarized the structural characteristics of AC and relevant functional and bioactive properties and the structure-activity relationships presented in biomedical applications. The primary temporal scope of this review was established as the period spanning from 2010 to 2023. Subsequently, the objective of this review was to provide a comprehensive understanding of the specific action mechanism of AC, while also exploring potential novel applications of AC derivatives in the biomedical field, drawing upon their structural characteristics. In conclusion, this review has provided a comprehensive analysis of the challenges and prospects associated with AC in the elucidation of structure-bioactivity relationships. Furthermore, the importance of exploring modern biotechnology approaches to enhance the potential biomedical applications of AC has been emphasized.

Interpreting the efficacy enhancement mechanism of Chinese medicine processing from a biopharmaceutic perspective

Chinese medicine processing (CMP) is a unique pharmaceutical technology that distinguishes it from natural medicines. Current research primarily focuses on changes in chemical components to understand the mechanisms behind efficacy enhancement in processing. However, this paper presents a novel perspective on the biopharmaceutics of CMP. It provides a comprehensive overview of the current research, emphasizing two crucial aspects: the role of 'heat' during processing and the utilization of processing adjuvants. The paper highlights the generation of easily absorbed components through the hydrolysis of glycosides by 'heat', as well as the facilitation of dissolution, absorption, and targeted distribution of active components through the utilization of processing adjuvants. From a biopharmaceutic perspective, this paper provides a lucid comprehension of the scientific foundation for augmenting the efficacy of CMP. Moreover, it proposes a three-dimensional research framework encompassing chemical reactions, phase transitions, and biopharmaceutical properties to further investigate the mechanisms involved in enhancing the efficacy of CMP.

Study on the substance basis of the efficacy of eucommiae cortex before and after salt processing for the treatment of kidney-yang deficiency syndrome based on the spectrum-effect relationship

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Kidney-Yang deficiency syndrome (KYDS) is one of the common diseases of the elderly and closely related to the ageing of the body, it has a major impact on the quality of life of the patient. Eucommiae Cortex (EC) is the dried bark of Eucommia ulmoides Oliv. Which has the effect of tonifying the liver and kidneys, strengthening the muscles and bones. In Traditional Chinese Medicine clinics, EC is commonly used in the treatment of KYDS, but the material basis for the improvement of its efficacy in treating KYDS after salt processing remains unclear.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This study aimed to find the main active ingredients that could improve the treatment of KYDS efficacy of EC after salt processing.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Firstly, the fingerprints of raw and salt-processed EC were established to determine the common components by using HPLC, and then an experimental study on the treatment of KYDS efficacy was carried out to compare the difference in the efficacy between raw and salt-processed EC. Thirdly, the spectrum-effect relationship of chemical components and pharmacodynamic indexes was established by using Grey Relational Analysis and Entropy Method. Finally, the network pharmacology and molecular docking technique was used to verify the kidney tonifying effect of the active ingredients of EC.

RESULTS

According to the results of the analysis of hormonal index levels on the hypothalamic-pituitary-target gland axis and the extent of renal lesions, the therapeutic effect of EC on KYDS was mainly reflected in the regulation of the Adrenocorticotropic hormone, Corticosterone in the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and Tri-iodothyronine, Tetra-iodothyronine in the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis, moreover the therapeutic effect of salt-processed EC was stronger than that of raw EC. The pharmacologically active ingredients that improved its treatment of KYDS efficacy after salt processing were peak 1 (geniposidic acid), peak 2 (chlorogenic acid), peak 5 (geniposide), peak 6 (genipin), peak 7 (pinoresinol diglucoside) and peak 11 (hyperoside). Meanwhile, the results of network pharmacology and molecular docking showed that the 6 active ingredients could exert kidney tonic effects through multiple signaling pathways by acting on core targets such as AKT1 and PTGS2.

CONCLUSION

As far as we known, this was the first time to establish and compare the spectrum-effect relationship between raw and salt-processed EC, which laid the foundation for the pharmacokinetics studies of EC and provided a reference for future EC studies.