Screening of Active Ingredients from Wendan Decoction in Alleviating Palmitic Acid-Induced Endothelial Cell Injury

Effects of modified Wendan Decoction combined with acupuncture on inflammatory factors and immune function in urticaria patients

This study aimed to explore the effects of modified Wendan Decoction combined with acupuncture on serum inflammatory markers and immune function in patients suffering from urticaria. A total of 150 urticaria patients admitted to our hospital were randomly assigned to two groups: the observation group (n = 75) and the control group (n = 75). The control group received levocetirizine tablets, while the observation group was treated with modified Wendan Decoction along with acupuncture. Following treatment, the observation group demonstrated a higher clinical efficacy compared to the control group, with a statistically significant difference (P < 0.05). Both groups experienced reductions in symptom scores, including erythema, burning sensation, pruritus, wheals, fever accompanied by epigastric pain, nausea and vomiting, fatigue, and poor appetite. However, the observation group showed significantly lower symptom scores than the control group (P < 0.05). Additionally, levels of IL-4, IL-10, IL-25, IL-33, and IFN-γ decreased in both groups after treatment, but the observation group exhibited lower levels than the control group, again with a statistically significant difference (P < 0.05). The recurrence rate was notably lower in the observation group compared to the control group (P < 0.05). The combination of modified Wendan Decoction and acupuncture effectively reduces serum inflammatory markers and enhances immune function in patients with urticaria. This treatment demonstrates significant clinical effectiveness and holds potential for broader application in clinical settings.

Evaluation of the key ingredient from the main production areas of Phellodendri Amurensis Cortex using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry and ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to triple-quadrupole mass spectrometry

Phellodendri Amurensis Cortex (PAC) is a medicinal herb that has been generally used to treat diarrhea and jaundice. In order to comprehensively evaluate the PAC in the main production areas quality, a qualitative and quantitative method with highly effective, sensitive, and reliable was developed. The chemical compositions of PAC were analyzed, and fingerprints were established by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF-MS). Then, the determination of berberine, canthin-6-one, dictamnine, γ-fagarine, and magnoflorine from PAC samples was simultaneously performed using UPLC-QQQ-MS. Furthermore, the chemical components of PAC from different regions were compared and analyzed by combining hierarchical cluster analysis, principal component analysis, and orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis. A total of 58 compounds were identified, including 36 alkaloids, four phenylpropanoids, seven terpenoids, four flavonoids and their glycosides, an organic acid compound, and six other components. The fingerprint results show that samples have good similarity. Meanwhile, the content of the five ingredients in different habitats is quite different. By multivariate statistical analysis, 18 batches of PAC could be divided into three categories, and 20 components were identified as differential markers of various origins. A comprehensive method of PAC quality evaluation and chemical composition difference analysis was established, which provided the scientific basis for quality evaluation and further pharmacological mechanism research.

The in vivo study on antioxidant activity of wendan decoction in treating hyperlipidemia: a pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic (PK-PD) model

Background: Wendan Decoction (WDD) is a six-herb Chinese medicine recipe that was first mentioned in about 652 AD. It is frequently used to treat hyperlipidemic patients' clinical complaints. According to reports, oxidative stress has a significant role in hyperlipidemia. Purpose: There has not yet been a thorough pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic (PK-PD) examination of the clinical efficacy of WDD in the context of hyperlipemia-related oxidative stress. Therefore, the goal of this research is to explore the antioxidant essence of WDD by developing a PK-PD model, ordering to assure its implication in treating hyperlipidemia in medical practice. Methods: The model rats of foodborne hyperlipidemia were established by feeding with high-fat feed, and the lipid-lowering effect of WDD was explored. The plasma drug concentration of rats at different doses were measured by UPL-MS/MS technology, and PK parameters were calculated using Phoenix WinNonlin 8.1 software. The level of lipid peroxide (LPO) in plasma at different time points was measured by enzyme labeling instrument. Finally, the PK-PD model was established by using Phoenix WinNonlin 8.1 software, to explore the lipid-lowering effect of WDD and the relation between the dynamic changes of chemical components and antioxidant effect. Results: The findings suggested that, WDD can reduce the levels of triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) in plasma, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) was related to the dosage. Between the peak drug levels and the WDD's maximal therapeutic response, there existed a hysteresis. WDD's effect-concentration curves displayed a counterclockwise delaying loop. Alternatively, among the ten components of WDD, hesperetin, quercetin, naringenin and tangeretin might exert more significant effects in regulating the LPO levels in hyperlipidemic rats. Conclusion: This study can be helpful for other investigators to study the lipid-lowering effect of WDD.