Catalpol and Mannitol, Two Components of Rehmannia glutinosa, Exhibit Anticonvulsant Effects Probably via GABAA Receptor Regulation

Progress of research into the pharmacological effect and clinical application of the traditional Chinese medicine Rehmanniae Radix

The traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) Rehmanniae Radix (RR) refers to the fresh or dried root tuber of the plant Rehmannia glutinosa Libosch of the family Scrophulariaceae. As a traditional Chinese herbal medicine (CHM), it possesses multiple effects, including analgesia, sedation, anti-inflammation, antioxidation, anti-tumor, immunomodulation, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular regulation, and nerve damage repair, and it has been widely used in clinical practice. In recent years, scientists have extensively studied the active components and pharmacological effects of RR. Active ingredients mainly include iridoid glycosides (such as catalpol and aucuboside), phenylpropanoid glycosides (such as acteoside), other saccharides, and unsaturated fatty acids. In addition, the Chinese patent medicine (CPM) and Chinese decoction related to RR have also become major research subjects for TCM practitioners; one example is the Bolus of Six Drugs, which includes Rehmannia, Lily Bulb and Rehmannia Decoction, and Siwu Decoction. This article reviews recent literature on RR; summarizes the studies on its chemical constituents, pharmacological effects, and clinical applications; and analyzes the progress and limitations of current investigations to provide reference for further exploration and development of RR.

Serotonin 2C receptors are also important in head-twitch responses in male mice

RATIONALE

Serotonergic psychedelics exert their effects via their high affinity for serotonin (5-HT) receptors, particularly through activating 5-HT2A receptors (5-HT2AR), employing the frontal cortex-dependent head-twitch response (HTR). Although universally believed to be so, studies have not yet fully ascertained whether 5-HT2AR activation is the sole initiator of these psychedelic effects. This is because not all 5-HT2AR agonists exhibit similar pharmacologic properties.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to identify and discriminate the roles of 5-HT2AR and 5-HT2CR in the HTR induced by Methallylescaline (MAL) and 4-Methyl-2,5,β-trimethoxyphenethylamine (BOD) in male mice. Also, an analysis of their potential neurotoxic properties was evaluated.

METHODS

Male mice treated with MAL and BOD were evaluated in different behavioral paradigms targeting HTR and neurotoxicity effects. Drug affinity, pharmacological blocking, and molecular analysis were also conducted to support the behavioral findings. The HTR induced by DOI has been extensively characterized in male mice, making it a good positive control for this study, specifically for comparing the pharmacological effects of our test compounds.

RESULTS

The activation of 5-HT2CR, alone or in concert with 5-HT2AR, produces a comparable degree of HTRs (at a dose of 1 mg·kg-1), with divergent 5-HT2CR- and 5-HT2AR-Gqα11-mediated signaling and enhanced neurotoxic properties (at a dose of 30 mg·kg-1) coupled with activated pro-inflammatory cytokines. These findings show these compounds' potential psychedelic and neurotoxic effects in male mice.

CONCLUSION

These findings showed that while 5-HT2AR is the main initiator of HTR, the 5-HT2CR also has a distinct property that renders it effective in inducing HTR in male mice.

Jiawei Yanghe Decoction suppresses breast cancer by regulating immune responses via JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Jiawei Yanghe Decoction (JWYHD) is a widely used traditional Chinese medicine prescription in the clinical setting for the treatment of autoimmune diseases. Many studies showed that JWYHD has anti-tumor activities in cell and animal models. However, the anti-breast cancer effects of JWYHD and the underlying mechanisms of action remain unknown.

AIM OF STUDY

This study aimed to determine the anti-breast cancer effect and reveal the underlying mechanisms of action in vivo, in vitro and in silico.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Orthotopic xenograft breast cancer mouse model and inflammatory zebrafish model were used to observe the anti-tumor effect and immune cell regulation of JWYHD. Moreover, the anti-inflammatory effect of JWYHD were evaluated by the expression of RAW 264.7 cells. JWYHD active ingredients were obtained by UPLC-MS/MS and potential targets were screened by network pharmacology. The therapeutic targets and signaling pathways predicted by computer were assessed by Western blot, real-time PCR (RT-PCR), immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining, and Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) to explore the therapeutic mechanism of JWYHD against breast cancer. At last, Colivelin and Stattic were used to explore the effect of JWYHD on JAK2/STAT3 pathway.

RESULTS

JWYHD significantly decreased the tumor growth in a dose-dependent manner in the orthotopic xenograft breast cancer mouse model. Flow cytometry and IHC results indicated that JWYHD decreased the expressions of M2 macrophages and Treg while increasing M1 macrophages. Meanwhile, ELISA and Western blot results showed a decrease in IL-1β, IL-6, TNFα, PTGS2 and VEGFα in tumor tissue of JWYHD groups. The results were also verified in LPS-induced RAW264.7 cells and zebrafish inflammatory models. TUNEL assay and IHC results showed that JWYHD significantly induced apoptosis. Seventy-two major compounds in JWYHD were identified by UPLC-MS/MS and Network pharmacology. It was found that the significant binding affinity of JWYHD to TNFα, PTGS2, EGFR, STAT3, VEGFα and their expressions were inhibited by JWYHD. IHC and Western blot analysis showed that JWYHD could decrease the expression of JAK2/STAT3 pathway. Furthermore, Colivelin could reverse the decrease effect of JWYHD in vitro.

CONCLUSION

JWYHD exerts a significant anti-tumor effect mainly by inhibiting inflammation, activating immune responses and inducing apoptosis via the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway. Our findings provide strong pharmacological evidence for the clinical application of JWYHD in the management of breast cancer.

Ionones and lignans from the fresh roots of Rehmannia glutinosa

Nine undescribed compounds, together with 21 known components, were isolated from the fresh roots of Rehmannia glutinosa. Their structures were elucidated based on spectroscopic data analysis, and the absolute configurations of undescribed compounds were determined by comparison of their calculated and experimental electronic circular dichroic (ECD) spectra and interpretation of their optical rotation data. The α-glucosidase inhibitory effects of the isolated compounds were investigated and all of them exhibited slightly inhibitory activities.

Recent Advances in Traditional Chinese Medicine for Treatment of Podocyte Injury

Podocyte is also called glomerular epithelial cell, which has been considered as the final gatekeeper of glomerular filtration barrier (GFB). As a major contributor to proteinuria, podocyte injury underlies a variety of glomerular diseases and becomes the challenge to patients and their families in general. At present, the therapeutic methods of podocyte injury mainly include angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers, steroid and immunosuppressive medications. Nevertheless, the higher cost and side effects seriously disturb patients with podocyte injury. Promisingly, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has received an increasing amount of attention from different countries in the treatment of podocyte injury by invigorating spleen and kidney, clearing heat and eliminating dampness, as well enriching qi and activating blood. Therefore, we searched articles published in peer-reviewed English-language journals through Google Scholar, PubMed, Web of Science, and Science Direct. The protective effects of active ingredients, herbs, compound prescriptions, acupuncture and moxibustion for treatment of podocyte injury were further summarized and analyzed. Meanwhile, we discussed feasible directions for future development, and analyzed existing deficiencies and shortcomings of TCM in the treatment of podocyte injury. In conclusion, this paper shows that TCM treatments can serve as promising auxiliary therapeutic methods for the treatment of podocyte injury.

Two newly-emerging substituted phenethylamines MAL and BOD induce differential psychopharmacological effects in rodents

BACKGROUND

Recently, the recreational use of substituted phenethylamines has grown rapidly. Among these are 2-(3,5-dimethoxy-4-((2-methylallyl)oxy)phenyl)ethanamine (MAL) and 2-(2,5-dimethoxy-4-methylphenyl)-2-methoxyethan-1-amine (BOD). However, studies characterizing their abuse potential are still lacking.

AIM

The purpose of this study was to investigate the abuse potential of MAL and BOD.

METHODS

The psychostimulant, reinforcing, and rewarding properties of MAL and BOD were analyzed using locomotor sensitization, self-administration, and conditioned place preference tests. Dopamine antagonists (i.e. SCH23390, haloperidol) were administered during conditioned place preference to evaluate the involvement of the mesolimbic dopamine system. Furthermore, dopamine-related protein expression in the nucleus accumbens and the ventral tegmental area was measured along with dopamine concentrations in the nucleus accumbens. Electroencephalography was conducted to determine effects of MAL and BOD on brain wave activity.

RESULTS

MAL induced psychostimulant effects and sensitization, while BOD induced locomotor depression in mice. Only MAL was self-administered by rats. Both drugs induced conditioned place preference in mice at different doses; dopamine receptor antagonists blocked MAL- and BOD-induced conditioned place preference. Both the compounds altered the expression of dopamine receptor D₁ and D₂ proteins in the nucleus accumbens and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and dopamine transporter in the ventral tegmental area, enhanced dopamine levels in the nucleus accumbens, and increased delta and gamma wave activities in the brain.

CONCLUSIONS

MAL may induce abuse potential via the mesolimbic dopaminergic system and possibly accompanied by alterations in brain wave activity. Moreover, the lack of rewarding and reinforcing effects in BOD suggest that this drug may have little to no capability to engender compulsive behavior, though having found to induce alterations in dopaminergic system and brain wave activities.