Anti-Migraine Effect of the Herbal Combination of Chuanxiong Rhizoma and Cyperi Rhizoma and UPLC-MS/MS Method for the Simultaneous Quantification of the Active Constituents in Rat Serum and Cerebral Cortex

Extracts of Chuanxiong and Baizhi Attenuate Neuroinflammation in Chronic Migraine Rats by Inhibiting TLR4/MyD88/Nuclear Factor Kappa B Signal Pathway

ABSTRACT

This study investigates the mechanism by which a compound mixture of Chuanxiong and Baizhi (CMCB) modulates the TLR4/MyD88/nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) pathway to alleviate neuroinflammation in nitroglycerin (NTG)-induced chronic migraine (CM) rat models. In vivo CM rat models were induced with 10 mg/kg NTG, while in vitro models utilized BV2 cells stimulated with lipopolysaccharide. Toxicity of CMCB extracts was assessed through CCK8 assay and lactate dehydrogenase detection. Protein and messenger RNA expression levels were analyzed by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and western blotting. Immunofluorescence was employed to evaluate the nucleoplasmic distribution of NF-κB p65. Inflammatory status and cell apoptosis were evaluated through enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, flow cytometry, and immunohistochemistry. Results showed that CMCB concentrations below 16 μM were nontoxic to BV2 cells and effectively reduced cell apoptosis and inflammation, akin to the effects of a TLR4 pathway inhibitor, TAK-242. CMCB extracts decreased protein expression of TLR4 and MyD88, phosphorylation of NF-κB p65, and limited NF-κB p65 nuclear translocation. In vivo experiments demonstrated that both zolmitriptan and CMCB treatment ameliorated symptoms like red ear, head scratching, and cage climbing in CM rat models. High dosages of CMCB exhibited comparable efficacy to zolmitriptan in reducing inflammatory responses, indicating that CMCB alleviates neuroinflammation in CM rat models through the inhibition of the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway.

Study on the essential components in Cyperi Rhizoma from different regions of China based on 3D van Krevelen diagram

Investigate the correlation between essential components and Cyperi Rhizoma from various regions of China using the 3D van Krevelen diagram. Head-space hyphenated with Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (HS-GC-MS) was employed to analyze the essential components of Cyperi Rhizoma from different regions of China. The 3D van Krevelen diagram was generated using Matlab 8.0 software to visualize the data. Additionally, high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was utilized to quantify the content of cyperenone, nootkatone, and α-cyperone in Cyperi Rhizoma samples from diverse regions of China. A total of 132 chemical components were identified in Cyperi Rhizoma, encompassing alkanes, alkenes, alcohols, aldehydes, ketones, acids, esters, sesquiterpenes, and oxidized sesquiterpenes, among others. The 3D van Krevelen diagram effectively illustrated the categories, quantities, and proportions of these components and highlighted region-specific characteristics. For instance, terpenoid content was highest in samples from Guangdong, while alcohols, aldehydes, and ketones were most abundant in those from Shandong. The highest levels of alkenes, monoterpenes, and sesquiterpenes were observed, whereas oxidized terpenes showed the lowest concentrations. The HPLC findings corroborated the conclusions derived from the 3D van Krevelen diagram. The 3D van Krevelen diagram effectively depicted the distribution of essential components in Cyperi Rhizoma from different regions of China, facilitating the transition from numerical data to graphical representation. This method provides an intuitive visualization of the compositional characteristics of Cyperi Rhizoma across various regions of China.

Senkyunolide A interrupts TRAF6-HDAC3 interaction to epigenetically suppress c-MYC and attenuate cholestatic liver injury

Introduction Cholestatic liver diseases are highly prevalent and lack effective treatment, ultimately progressing to end-stage liver diseases. Our recent study indicates that the interplay between c-MYC and lncRNA H19 exacerbates the ductular reaction during cholestasis.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to unveil the underlying mechanisms of the protective effects of senkyunolide A (SenA) on cholangiocyte overproliferation in cholestatic liver diseases.

METHODS

Through comprehensive characterization using RNA sequencing, CHIP analysis, protein truncation, amino acid mutation or deletion, and the development of SenA derivatives, we explored the effects and mechanisms of SenA in vivo in bile duct ligation mice and in vitro in primary cholangiocytes.

RESULTS

We demonstrated that SenA effectively mitigates cholangiocyte hyperproliferation by epigenetically suppressing c-MYC expression and disrupting the downstream H19, Let-7a and Lin28a. Mechanically, we identified a potential interaction between the carbonyl group in SenA and Arg483 in TRAF6, disrupting the TRAF6-HDAC3 complex. This dissociation facilitates the binding of HDAC3 to the MYC promoter region, resulting in enhanced histone deacetylation and transcriptional suppression.

CONCLUSION

We highlight the therapeutic potential of SenA in cholestatic liver diseases by elucidating its role in epigenetic regulation.

UPLC-MS/MS Combined with Microdialysis for Determination of Two Active Components of Chuanxiong Rhizoma Extracts in Rat Brain: Application in Pharmacokinetic Study

Chuanxiong Rhizoma (Chuanxiong), a traditional Chinese medicine, has been widely used to treat various nervous and cardiovascular system-related conditions. Its active components, senkyunolide A (SA) and 3-n-butylphthalide (NBP), have been proven effective in treating nervous system diseases. A new method was established based on microdialysis coupled with ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) to estimate the concentrations of these components in brain extracellular fluid. Chromatographic separation was achieved using an Acquity UPLC BEH C8 column (2.1 × 100 mm, 1.7 μm) with acetonitrile and 0.1% formic acid as mobile phase. The calibration curves of SA and NBP were linear in the concentration ranges of 0.25-100.00 and 0.12-48.00 ng/mL, respectively, with a correlation coefficient above 0.9992. All validation parameters, including intra- and inter-day precision, accuracy, matrix effect and stability, were within the acceptance limits of bioanalytical guidelines. The validated method was successfully applied to study the pharmacokinetics of SA and NBP in rat brain microdialysis after oral administration of Chuanxiong extracts. The results showed that both components penetrated the brain and reached maximum concentrations in the microdialysates of 72.31 and 9.93 ng/mL at 1.50 and 1.58 h, respectively.

Exploring the synergistic effects of chuanxiong rhizoma and Cyperi rhizoma in eliciting a rapid anti-migraine action based on pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Herb-herb combination has been used to maximize the therapeutic efficacy in the theory of traditional Chinese medicine. Chuanxiong rhizoma (called Chuanxiong in Chinese, CX) and Cyperi rhizoma (called Xiangfu in Chinese, XF) have been used alone or in combination (CRCR) to treat migraine dating back to Eastern Jin Dynasty (AD317) of China. But no data demonstrate the possible necessities or advantages of combining CX and XF for migraine.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This study explores the combination mechanism based on pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A nitroglycerin-induced acute migraine model in rats was used to evaluate the anti-migraine effects of CRCR and the individual herbs using behavior, real time polymerase chain reaction and Western blot experiments. The absorption characteristics of active components involved in the anti-migraine action were analyzed by UPLC-MS/MS.

RESULTS

CX and CRCR significantly reversed the abnormal levels of vasoactive substances (5-HT, CGRP, MMP-2 and MMP-9) to normal levels, but XF did not. XF and CRCR significantly decreased the pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-a), and increased the anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-4 and IL-10). CRCR significantly decreased the mRNA expression levels of c-fos, iNos and nNos, and the corresponding protein expression levels of c-Fos, iNOS, and nNOS. CRCR inhibited NOS/NO pathway by downregulating the expression levels of NOS and NO. Furthermore, CRCR significantly increased the intestinal absorption rate and amount, and changed the pharmacokinetic parameters of active components in comparison with the individual herbs.

CONCLUSIONS

CX had an advantage in regulating vasoactive substances, and XF focused on regulating inflammatory cytokines. CRCR is more effective in treating migraine than the individual herbs by depending on the synergistic action of CX and XF. This research provided some critical evidences on synergistic action between herb-herb interactions, and revealed the potential advantages of herb-herb combination in traditional Chinese medicine.

Mechanism of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Treating Migraine: A Comprehensive Review

Migraine is a common neurological illness that causes a great burden on individuals and society. Many migraine patients seek relief through complementary and alternative therapies, with Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) often being their preferred choice. Acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine, and massage are important components of TCM, and are commonly used in clinical treatment of migraine. This review aims to consolidate the current knowledge regarding the mechanisms of the three TCM interventions for migraine: acupuncture, herbs, and massage, and how they relieve pain. However, the mechanisms underlying the effectiveness of TCM therapies in treating migraine remain unclear. Therefore, we reviewed the research progress on acupuncture, herbal medicine, and massage as TCM approaches for the treatment of migraine. We conducted a comprehensive search of CNKI, PubMed, Web of Science, and Cochrane databases using keywords such as migraine, acupuncture, needle, herbs, herbal, prescription, decoction, massage, Tuina, and TCM, covering the period from 2000 to 2023. The literature included in the review was selected based on specified exclusion criteria. We discussed the mechanism of TCM therapies on migraine from the perspective of modern medicine, focusing on changes in inflammatory factors, neurotransmitters, and other relevant biomarkers. TCM can relieve migraine by decreasing neuropeptide levels, inhibiting inflammation, modulating neuronal sensitization, changing brain function and structure, changing blood brain barrier permeability, regulating hormone levels, and relieving muscle tension. The purpose of this paper is to provide a basis for improving the clinical strategies of TCM for the treatment of migraine.

Real-world observations and impacts of Chinese herbal medicine for migraine: results of a registry-based cohort study

Background: Migraine is a prevalent, recurrent condition with substantial disease burden. Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) has been used frequently for migraine in controlled clinical settings. This study is to summarise the characteristics of patients who seek clinical care in a tertiary Chinese medicine hospital in China; to gather their preferences and values of using CHM; to explore the effect of CHM for migraine and its comorbidities in a real-world setting, and to collect first-hand expertise of clinicians' practice pattern in prescribing CHM for migraine. Methods: This registry-based cohort study was prospectively conducted at Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine from December 2020 to May 2022. Adult migraine patients seeking their initial anti-migraine clinical care at the hospital were consecutively recruited and followed up for 12 weeks. Practitioners specialised in headache management prescribed individualised treatments without research interference. Standardised case report forms were employed to gather information on patients' preferences and perspective of seeking clinical care, as well as to assess participants' migraine severity, comorbidities, and quality of life, at 4-weeks intervals. Various analytical methods were utilised based on the computed data. Results: In this study, we observed 248 participants. Of these, 73 received CHM treatment for 28 days or longer. Notably, these participants exhibited a greater disease severity, compared to those treated with CHM for less than 28 days. Of the 248 participants, 83.47% of them expected CHM would effectively reduce the severity of their migraine, around 50% expected effects for migraine-associated comorbidities, while 51.61% expressing concerns about potential side effects. CHM appeared to be effective in reducing monthly migraine days and pain intensity, improving patients' quality of life, and potentially reducing comorbid anxiety, with a minimum of 28 days CHM treatment. Herbs such as gan cao, gui zhi, chuan xiong, fu ling, bai zhu, yan hu suo, etc. were frequently prescribed for migraine, based on patients' specific symptoms. Conclusion: CHM appeared to be beneficial for migraine and comorbid anxiety in real-world clinical practice when used continuously for 28 days or more. Clinical Trial Registration: clinicaltrials.gov, identifier ChiCTR2000041003.

Sanpian decoction ameliorates cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury by regulating SIRT1/ERK/HIF-1α pathway through in silico analysis and experimental validation

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury (CIRI) is a complex pathophysiological process involving multiple factors, and becomes the footstone of rehabilitation after ischemic stroke. Sanpian decoction (SPD) has exhibited protective effects against CIRI, migraine, and other cerebral vascular diseases. However, the underlying mechanisms have not been completely elucidated.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This study sought to explore the potential mechanisms underlying the effect of SPD against CIRI.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) were carried out to determine the chemical constituents of SPD. A network pharmacology approach combined with experimental verification was conducted to elucidate SPD's multi-component, multi-target, and multi-pathway mechanisms in CIRI occurrence. The pharmacodynamics of the decoction was evaluated by establishing the rat model of middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion (MCAO/R). In vivo and in vitro experiments were carried out, and the therapeutic effects of SPD were performed using 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining, hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining, and Nissl staining. We used terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) staining and flow cytometry to evaluate cortex apoptosis. The quantification of mRNA and corresponding proteins were performed using real-time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and Western blot respectively.

RESULTS

Our research showed that pretreatment with SPD improved neurological function and inhibited CIRI. Network pharmacology revealed that the hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1) signaling pathway and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway-mediated apoptosis may be associated with CIRI. In vivo and in vitro experiments, we confirmed that SPD increased cerebral blood flow, improved neural function, and reduced neural apoptosis via up-regulating the expression of sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) and down-regulating phospho-extracellular regulated protein kinases (p-ERK)/ERK and HIF-1α levels in CIRI rats.

CONCLUSION

Taken together, the present study systematically revealed the potential targets and signaling pathways of SPD in the treatment of CIRI using in silico prediction and verified the therapeutic effects of SPD against CIRI via ameliorating apoptosis by regulating SIRT1/ERK/HIF-1α.

Rapid analysis of the chemical constituents in Qiangli Dingxuan tablets using ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry

Qiangli Dingxuan (QLDX) tablet is a widely recognized traditional Chinese medicine formula that has been extensively used in China for decades to treat vertigo, tinnitus, and dizziness owing to its outstanding therapeutic outcomes. However, the complexity of the chemical components in this tablet makes it challenging to separate and identify these components. This study presented an effective and sensitive strategy for the rapid separation and simultaneous structural identification of QLDX tablet components using ultra-performance liquid chromatography with quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry and the UNIFI platform. Based on retention times, accurate masses, fragment ions, related literature, and authentic standards, 119 compounds were identified or tentatively characterized; these included 9 iridoids, 12 lignans, 21 phenylpropanoids, 27 flavonoids, 7 phthalides, and 43 others. Among them, 36 were confirmed using reference standards. The representative compounds with various chemical structures were studied by analyzing their fragmentation patterns and characteristic ions. In conclusion, this study established a rapid approach for characterizing the chemical constituents in QLDX tablet. The proposed approach provides a basis for qualitative analysis and quality control in the manufacturing process and is beneficial for advancing investigations into the efficacy and mechanism of action of this tablet.

Phytol from Faeces Bombycis alleviated migraine pain by inhibiting Nav1.7 sodium channels

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Faeces Bombycis (silkworm excrement, called Cansha in Chinese), is the dried faeces of the larvae of silkworm. According to the theories of traditional Chinese medicine recorded in "Compendium of Materia Medica", Faeces Bombycis has often been prescribed in traditional Chinese medicine for the treatment of recurrent headache, rheumatalgia, rubella and itching et al. However, the bioactive components and their exact mechanisms underlying the pain-relieving effects remain to be revealed.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The present study aimed to evaluate the analgesic effect of Faeces Bombycis extract (FBE) on migraine, explore the main active constituents and investigate the pharmacological mechanisms for its pain relief.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The bioactivity of different extracts from Faeces Bombycis was tracked by the nitroglycerin (NTG)-induced migraine model on rats and identified by NMR spectroscopic data. Whole-cell patch clamp technique, an electrophysiological method, was used to screen the potential targets and study the mechanism of action for the bioactive compound. The following targets have been screened and studied, including Nav1.7 sodium channels, Nav1.8 sodium channels, TRPV1 channels and TRPA1 channels. The trigeminal ganglion neurons were further used to study the effects of the identified compound on neuronal excitability.

RESULTS

By testing the bioactivity of the different extracts proceedingly, fraction petroleum ether showed higher anti-migraine activity. Through further step-by-step isolations, 7 compounds were isolated. Among them, phytol was identified with the highest yield and displayed a potent anti-migraine effect. By screening the potential ion channel targets for migraine, phytol was found to preferentially block the inactivated state of Nav1.7 sodium channels with half-inhibition concentration 0.32 ± 0.05 μM. Thus, the effects of phytol on the biophysical properties of Nav1.7 sodium channels were further characterized. Phytol induced a hyperpolarizing shift of voltage-dependent inactivation and slowed the recovery from inactivation. The affinity of phytol became weaker in the inactivation-deficient Nav1.7 channels (Nav1.7-WCW). And such an effect was independent on the local anesthetic site (Nav1.7 F1737A). Consistent with the data from recombinant channels, the compound also displayed state-dependent inhibition on neuronal sodium channels and further decreased the neuronal excitability in trigeminal ganglion neurons. Moreover, besides Nav1.7 channel, phytol also antagonized the activation of TRPV1 and TRPA1 channels at micromolar concentrations with a weaker affinity.

CONCLUSION

Our results demonstrated that phytol is the major anti-migraine ingredient of Faeces Bombycis and alleviates migraine behaviors by acting on Nav1.7 sodium channels in the trigeminal ganglion neurons. This study provided evidences for the therapeutic application of Faeces Bombycis and phytol on migraine disease.

Biomarkers of Migraine: An Integrated Evaluation of Preclinical and Clinical Findings

In recent years, numerous efforts have been made to identify reliable biomarkers useful in migraine diagnosis and progression or associated with the response to a specific treatment. The purpose of this review is to summarize the alleged diagnostic and therapeutic migraine biomarkers found in biofluids and to discuss their role in the pathogenesis of the disease. We included the most informative data from clinical or preclinical studies, with a particular emphasis on calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), cytokines, endocannabinoids, and other biomolecules, the majority of which are related to the inflammatory aspects and mechanisms of migraine, as well as other actors that play a role in the disease. The potential issues affecting biomarker analysis are also discussed, such as how to deal with bias and confounding data. CGRP and other biological factors associated with the trigeminovascular system may offer intriguing and novel precision medicine opportunities, although the biological stability of the samples used, as well as the effects of the confounding role of age, gender, diet, and metabolic factors should be considered.

Emerging Promise of Phytochemicals in Ameliorating Neurological Disorders

BACKGROUND

The field of medicine and synthetic drug development have advanced rapidly over the past few decades. However, research on alternative medicine such as phytochemicals cannot be ignored. The main reason for prominent curiosity about phytochemicals stems from the belief that usage of natural compounds is safer and has lesser detrimental side effects.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the present review was to discuss in detail with several phytochemicals that have been studied or are being studied in the context of various neurological disorders including depression, Alzheimer's disease, Huntington's disease and even neuroinflammatory disorders such as encephalitis.

METHODS

The potential role of phytochemicals in the treatment or management of symptoms associated with neurological disorders have been included in this article. All data included in this paper has been pooled from various databases including Google Scholar, PubMed, Science Direct, Springer and Wiley Online Library.

RESULTS

Phytochemicals have been widely studied for their therapeutic properties associated with neurological disorders. Using various experimental techniques for both in vivo and in vitro experiments, studies have shown that phytochemicals do have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective activities which play major roles in the treatment of neurological diseases.

CONCLUSION

Even though there has been compelling evidence of the therapeutic role of phytochemicals, further research is still required to evaluate the safety and efficacy of these medicines. Using previously published papers as foundation for additional research such as preclinical studies and clinical trials, phytochemicals can become a safer alternative to synthetic drugs for treating a spectrum of neurological diseases.

Effect of Xiongmatang Extract on Behavioral and TRPV1-CGRP/CGRP-R Pathway in Rats With Migraine

Migraine is a complex neurovascular disease, which seriously affects the quality of life in patients. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of Xiongmatang (XMT) extract on rats with migraine induced by inflammatory soup and the underlying mechanisms. First, 1 week after dural catheterization, inflammatory soup was injected through a microsyringe to stimulate the dura of rats for 6 times (12 days), once every 2 days, 10 μL each time, to establish a migraine model. According to pain threshold analysis, behavioral change detection, and pathological analysis, the effects of XMT extract on rats with migraine were evaluated. The positive, mRNA and protein expression of related factors were detected by immunohistochemistry, RT-QPCR, and Western blot analysis to elucidate the underlying mechanism. XMT extract improved the behavioral performance of rats, and improve the pathological changes in the trigeminal nerve in rats. Further experimental results show that XMT extract regulated the expression of migraine-related factors in the trigeminal nerve, manifested as transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1), calcitonin-gene-related peptide (CGRP), calcitonin receptor-like receptor (CRLR), and receptor activity-modifying protein 1 (RAMP1) positive expression, mRNA expression, and protein expression reduction. XMT extract can significantly improved the behavioral performance of rats with migraine, and its mechanism of action might involve regulating the activity of TRPV1-CGRP/CGRP-R pathway.

Reveal the Antimigraine Mechanism of Chuanxiong Rhizoma and Cyperi Rhizoma Based on the Integrated Analysis of Metabolomics and Network Pharmacology

Migraine is a common neurological disorder that manifests as recurrent attacks of unilateral and throbbing headache. Conioselinum anthriscoides “Chuanxiong” (Apiaceae; Chuanxiong rhizoma) and Cyperus rotundus L. (Cyperaceae; Cyperi rhizoma) (CRCR), is a classic prescription for treating migraine. This study aimed to reveal the potential mechanisms of CRCR extract against migraine using integrated analysis of metabolomics and network pharmacology. Behavioral changes in the nitroglycerin rat migraine model were determined from von Frey withdrawal response. Untargeted serum metabolomics was used to identify the differentially expressed metabolites and metabolic pathways. The differentially expressed metabolites were analyzed to obtain the corresponding targets by a compound–reaction–enzyme–gene network. Network pharmacology was used to construct a compound–target–pathway network. The common targets of metabolomics and network pharmacology were further analyzed. Metabolomics analysis identified 96 differentially expressed metabolites and 77 corresponding targets. Network pharmacology analysis identified 201 potential targets for CRCR against migraine. By intersecting 77 targets with 201 targets, monoamine oxidase A (MAO-A), monoamine oxidase B (MAO-B), and catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) were identified as the common targets, and MAO-A, MAO-B, and COMT were involved in the tyrosine metabolism pathway. Further experiments demonstrated that the contents of MAO-A and COMT were significantly increased in serum and brainstem tissue of the migraine rats. CRCR extract significantly decreased the contents of MAO-A and COMT, while no significant difference was found in MAO-B. Metabolomics analysis indicated that the contents of 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetate (DOPAC) and 3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)pyruvate (HPP) were significantly increased in the migraine rats, and CRCR extract caused significant decreases in DOPAC and HPP. Interestingly, DOPAC and HPP were two differentially expressed metabolites involved in the tyrosine metabolism pathway. Correlation analysis showed that DOPAC and HPP were highly positively correlated with MAO-A and COMT. Taken together, two key differentially expressed metabolites (DOPAC and HPP), two key targets (MAO-A and COMT), and one relevant metabolic pathway (tyrosine metabolism) showed great importance in the treatment of migraine. This research could provide a new understanding of the potential mechanism of CRCR against migraine. More attentions should be paid into the tyrosine metabolism pathway in future studies.

A Reasonable Evaluation of Chuanxiong Rhizoma Processing with Wine through Comparative Pharmacokinetic Study of Bioactive Components: Dominant Effect on Middle Cerebral Artery Occlusion Model Rats

According to the ancient documents and Chinese herbal medicine processing experience, Chuanxiong Rhizoma was usually processed with yellow rice wine to improve efficacy. However, the relevant mechanisms are still unclear so far. In this study, a validated ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry method was used to compare the pharmacokinetics of four representative components in middle cerebral artery occlusion rats after oral administration of raw and wine-processed Chuanxiong Rhizoma. The neurobehavioral scores and 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride staining were employed to evaluate the model. Biological samples were prepared by protein precipitation with methanol. All analytes were separated on an ACQUITY BEH C₁₈ column through gradient elution using acetonitrile and 0.01% of formic acid as mobile phase, and the flow rate was 0.3 mL/min. The results showed that the maximum plasma concentrations, the area values under the concentration-time curves of senkyunolide A, and ferulic acid in wine-processed Chuanxiong Rhizoma were all higher than in raw Chuanxiong Rhizoma, which were completely opposite to our previous studies in normal rats. Compared with normal rats, the theory that wine processing could enhance the efficacy of Chuanxiong Rhizoma may be better reflected in model rats.

Anti-anger Effects of Herbal Medicine: A Mini-Review of Rat Studies

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the available data on the anti-anger effects of herbal medicines (HMs) as well as their underlying mechanisms in rat models.

METHODS

From 6 electronic databases [PubMed, EMBASE, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang, Oriental Medicine Advanced Searching Integrated System (OASIS), and Research Information Sharing Service (RISS)], relevant animal experiments were searched by using "anger," "rats," and "animal" as search keywords. The last search was conducted on November 22, 2019, and all experiments involving rat models of anger and treatment using HMs published until the date of the search were considered.

RESULTS

A total of 24 studies with 16 kinds of HMs were included. Most studies have used the "tail irritating method" and "social isolation and resident intruder" method to establish anger models. According to the included studies, the therapeutic mechanisms of HMs for anger regulation and important herbs by their frequency and/or preclinical evidence mainly incladed regulation of hemorheology (Bupleuri Radix, Paeoniae Radix Alba, and Glycyrrhizae Radix), regulation of sex hormones (Bupleuri Radix, Cyperi Rhizoma, and Paeoniae Radix Alba), regulation of neurotransmitters (Cyperi Rhizoma), regulation of anger-related genes (Bupleuri Radix, Glycyrrhizae Radix, and Paeoniae Radix Alba), and other effects. Overall, Liver (Gan) qi-smoothing herbs including Bupleuri Radix and Cyperi Rhizoma were the most frequently used.

CONCLUSIONS

This review found the frequent methods to establish an anger model, and major mechanisms of anti-anger effects of HMs. Interestingly, some Liver qi-smoothing herbs have been frequently used to investigate the anti-anger effects of HM. These findings provide insight into the role and relevance of HMs in the field of anger management.

Exploring the Potential Mechanism of Chuanxiong Rhizoma Treatment for Migraine Based on Systems Pharmacology

Migraine is a disease whose aetiology and mechanism are not yet clear. Chuanxiong Rhizoma (CR) is employed in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) to treat various disorders. CR is effective for migraine, but its active compounds, drug targets, and exact molecular mechanism remain unclear. In this study, we used the method of systems pharmacology to address the above issues. We first established the drug-compound-target-disease (D-C-T-D) network and protein-protein interaction (PPI) network related to the treatment of migraine with CR and then established gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analyses. The results suggest that the treatment process may be related to the regulation of inflammation and neural activity. The docking results also revealed that PTGS2 and TRPV1 could directly bind to the active compounds that could regulate them. In addition, we found that CR affected 11 targets that were more highly expressed in the liver or heart but were the lowest in the whole brain. It also expounds the description of CR channel tropism in TCM theory from these angles. These findings not only indicate that CR can be developed as a potential effective drug for the treatment of migraine but also demonstrate the application of systems pharmacology in the discovery of herbal-based disease therapies.

Role of herbal medicine for prevention and treatment of migraine

Migraine is a disabling neurovascular disease with unilateral or bilateral pulsatile headache, which intensively affects human health and quality of life due to high morbidity worldwide. Migraine is commonly accompanied by abnormal pain sensitization, neuroinflammatory response, and vasomotor dysfunction. Owing to the management dilemmas of migraine, there is an urgent need to develop effective and low-cost therapies. In recent years, herbal medicines as a promising strategy with analgesic activity and minor side effect, have been proposed for the prevention and treatment of migraine. Considering the lack of a review integrating experimental studies regarding the herbal treatment of migraine, this review systematically summarizes the important potential applications of herbal medicines in ameliorating migraine via multiple therapeutic targets and pathways, as well as provides a reference for further development of novel antimigraine drugs.

Correlation Analysis of Huayu Tongmai Decoction Intervention and Prognosis Indexes of Patients with Carotid Atherosclerosis

Background

Carotid atherosclerosis (CAS) is a common disease which seriously threatens the health of senile patients. The studies have indicated that traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) may effectively improve the symptom of CAS, while the therapeutic effect of Huayu Tongmai decoction on CAS remains unclear. Thus, this study aimed to explore the correlation between traditional Chinese medicine Huayu Tongmai decoction intervention and prognosis indexes of patients with CAS.

Methods

Ninety CAS patients admitted to Zibo TCM-Integrated Hospital from September 2018 to September 2020 were selected as the research object and randomly divided into the control group and the observation group according to the male-female ratio of 1 : 1. Patients in the control group accepted the atorvastatin intervention, and on this basis, patients in the observation group were further intervened with TCM Huayu Tongmai decoction. Before and after treatment, patients' levels of total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) were measured by the enzyme photometric colorimetry; hypersensitive c-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels were measured by the ELISA method; nitric oxide (NO) levels were measured by the nitrate reductase assay and endothelin-1 (ET-1) levels were measured by radioimmunoassay; and the right and left carotid internal diameter (CAD), intima-media thickness (IMT), and plaque volume were measured by carotid ultrasonography.

Results

The TC, TG, and LDL-C levels significantly decreased in patients compared to those before intervention; compared with the control group, patients who accepted Huayu Tongmai decoction combined with atorvastatin saw more significant improvement in their blood lipid indexes (P < 0.01); after intervention, patients' hs-CRP and ET-1 levels dropped significantly while the NO level rose remarkably, and between the two groups, the improvement in levels of hs-CRP, ET-1, and NO of patients in the observation group was significantly better (P < 0.01); it was concluded from the imaging diagnosis results that compared with using atorvastatin alone, the combined intervention could better improve patients' CAD, IMT, and plaque volume.

Conclusion

Huayu Tongmai decoction can effectively improve patients' blood lipid, reduce inflammatory response, enhance levels of relevant regulatory factors of CAS, and alleviate the symptoms.

Antiarrhythmic Mechanisms of Chinese Herbal Medicine Dingji Fumai Decoction

Background

Dingji Fumai decoction (DFD) is used to treat ventricular arrhythmia, and it has provided a very good curative effect. However, its cellular electrophysiological mechanism is unknown.

Methods

Electrocardiogram was recorded, and oxidative stress response and ion-channel-related molecules were detected in rats with barium chloride- and aconitine-induced ventricular arrhythmia. Moreover, whole-cell patch-clamp assay was used to investigate the inhibitory effect of DFD on Nav_1.5 in Chinese hamster ovary cells.

Results

DFD prolonged the occurrence time and shortened the duration of ventricular arrhythmia, decreased the malondialdehyde and increased the superoxide dismutase, and alleviated the activation of Na⁺-K⁺-ATPase and connexin-43. DFD suppressed Nav_1.5dose-dependently with an IC₅₀ of 24.0 ± 2.4 mg/mL.

Conclusions

The clinical antiarrhythmic mechanisms of DFD are based on its antioxidant potential, alleviation of Na⁺-K⁺-ATPase and connexin-43, and class I antiarrhythmic properties by suppressing Nav_1.5dose-dependently with an IC₅₀ of 24.0 ± 2.4 mg/mL.

Effect of Traditional Chinese Medicine on Long-Term Outcomes of Snakebite in Taiwan

Herein, we review the characteristics of the six predominant venomous snakes in Taiwan and the effects of traditional Chinese medicine on the long-term outcomes of snakebite venom. We electronically searched databases, including PubMed, ClinicalKey, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, National Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations in Taiwan, and Airiti Library, from their inception to November 2019 by using the following Medical Subject Headings' keywords: snakebite, long-term, chronic, Chinese medicine, CAM, herb, and Taiwan. The most common long-term effects of snakebite envenomation include "migraine-like syndrome", brain injuries caused by hypoxia or intracranial hemorrhage, and chronic kidney disease. In addition, hypopituitarism is also worth mentioning. Traditional Chinese medicine can potentially be used in a complementary or alternative treatment for these effects, but additional studies are needed.

Identification and quantification of the quality markers and anti-migraine active components in Chuanxiong Rhizoma and Cyperi Rhizoma herbal pair based on chemometric analysis between chemical constituents and pharmacological effects

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Chuanxiong Rhizoma and Cyperi Rhizoma (CRCR), an ancient and classic herbal pair, has been used in herbal medicines for treating migraine, but its effective components are not clear.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The present study aimed to identify and quantify the quality markers and anti-migraine active components in CRCR based on chemometric analysis between chemical constituents and pharmacological effects.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The HPLC fingerprints of eight batches of CRCR samples were obtained, and their characteristic common peaks were identified by HPLC-ESI-Q-TOF-MS/MS. The therapeutic effects of eight batches of CRCR samples on nitroglycerin-induced migraine rats were evaluated by migraine-related neurotransmitters and neuropeptides. Similarity analysis, hierarchical cluster analysis and principal component analysis were applied to screen the quality markers. Artificial neural network and partial least squares regression models were used to screen the anti-migraine compounds by correlating the chemical constituents in HPLC fingerprints and pharmacological indicators.

RESULTS

Eighteen characteristic common peaks were found in the HPLC fingerprints, including eleven known compounds and seven unknown compounds. Ferulic acid (FA), senkyunolide I (SI), senkyunolide A (SA), 3-n-butylphthalide (NBP), Z-ligustilide (LIG), Z-3-butylidenephthalide (BDPH), nookatone (NKT), levistilide A (LA), α-cyperone (CYP) and other five unknown compounds (P1, P2, P7, P8 and P9) were identified as quality markers. SA, NBP, LIG, NKT, CYP and other three unknown compounds (P1, P4 and P9) can be considered as anti-migraine prototype compounds. The quality markers and anti-migraine active components were further quantified in CRCR extract, rat serum and cerebral cortex by UPLC-MS/MS, which gives a clue to track the dynamic changes of the contents of the main constituents.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study explored the anti-migraine material basis, and could lay a foundation for the improvement of the quality control of CRCR in practice.