Incompatibility assessment of Genkwa Flos and Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma with biochemical, histopathological and metabonomic approach

Research progress on the toxicity of toxic Traditional Herbals from Thymelaeaceae

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Plants from the Thymelaeaceae family are widely distributed in tropical and temperate regions, with approximately 113 species used as Traditional Herbals. There are numerous applications for them, such as treating leukemia, AIDS, and liver cancer. It should be noted that around 20% of these plants have shown harmful side effects when used in clinical applications, including solid irritations to the skin and mucous membranes, carcinogenic effects, organ damage, vomiting, and diarrhea.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This paper aims to review the toxic side effects, toxic compounds, toxic mechanisms, and detoxification methods of Traditional Herbals in Thymelaeaceae, guiding their safe clinical uses.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This review employed the keywords "Thymelaeaceae," 48 different "genus," 966 "species," and the combination of "toxicity" to identify the medicinal value and toxicity of plants from Thymelaeaceae in scientific databases (Pubmed, SciFinder Scholar, Elsevier, Web of Science, and CNKI). Information relevant to the toxicity of Traditional Herbals from Thymelaeaceae up to June 2023 has been summarized. The plant names have been checked with "World Flora Online" (www.worldfloraonline.org).

RESULTS

28 toxic Traditional Herbals from 13 genera within the Thymelaeaceae family were categorized. Toxicities were summarized at the cellular, animal, and clinical levels. The toxic substances are primarily concentrated in the Daphne L. and Wikstroemia Endl. genera, with terpenes being the main toxic components. The toxicity mechanism is primarily associated with the mitochondrial pathways. Detoxification and enhanced efficacy can be achieved through processing methods such as vinegar-processing and sweat-soaking.

CONCLUSIONS

Medicinal plants in the Thymelaeaceae exhibit significant pharmacological activities, such as anti-HIV and anti-tumor effects, indicating a broad potential for application. However, their clinical uses are hindered by their inherent toxicity. Researching the toxic components and mechanisms of these Traditional Herbals and exploring more effective detoxification methods can contribute to unveiling the latent value of these medicinal plants from Thymelaeaceae.

Scientific connotation of the compatibility of traditional Chinese medicine from the perspective of the intestinal flora

Revealing the connotation of the compatibility of Chinese medicines (CM) is a requirement for the modernization of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). However, no consensus exists on the specific mechanism of traditional Chinese medicine compatibility (TCMC). Many studies have shown that the occurrence and development of diseases and the efficacy of CM are closely related to intestinal flora (IF), which may provide a new perspective to understand the theory of TCM. This study aimed to summarize the relationship between the changes in IF before and after the compatibility of different drugs and the synergistic, toxicity reduction, and incompatibility effects of drug pairs from the perspective of the effects of CM on the IF and the regulation of microbial metabolites. These studies showed that the effect of drug pairs on the composition of the IF is not a simple superposition of two single drugs, and that the drug pairs also play a specific role in regulating the production of intestinal bacterial metabolites; therefore, it has a different pharmacodynamic effect, which may provide a perspective to clarify the compatibility mechanism. However, research on the interpretation of the scientific connotations of TCMC from the perspective of the IF is still in its infancy and has limitations. Therefore, this study aimed to summarize previous research experience and proposed to conduct a deep and systematic study from the perspective of drug pair dismantling, IF, intestinal bacteria metabolite, organism, and disease to provide a reference for scientific research on the compatibility mechanism of CM.

Hydroxygenkwanin suppresses proliferation, invasion and migration of osteosarcoma cells via the miR‑320a/SOX9 axis

Hydroxygenkwanin (HGK) has an anticancer effect in a variety of tumors, but its role in osteosarcoma has not been explored. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the therapeutic effect of HGK on osteosarcoma and its specific molecular mechanism. Osteosarcoma cells (MG-63 and U2OS) treated with various concentrations of HGK were assigned to the treatment group. MTT, clone formation, wound healing and Transwell assays were performed to assess the viability, proliferation, migration, and invasion of MG-63 and U2OS cells. RT-qPCR was conducted to quantify the expression levels of of microRNA (miR)-320a and SRY-box transcription factor 9 (SOX9) in MG-63 and U2OS cells. The binding sites of miR-320a and SOX9 were predicted by starBase database, and verified using the dual-luciferase reporter assay. The expression levels of SOX9 and EMT-related proteins (N-cadherin, E-cadherin and vimentin) were detected by western blot analysis. HGK inhibited cell proliferation, migration, invasion, but promoted the expression of miR-320a in MG-63 and U2OS cells. Downregulation of miR-320a reversed the effects of HGK on proliferation, migration and invasion of MG-63 and U2OS cells, while upregulation of miR-320a had the opposite effect. HGK inhibited the expression of SOX9 by promoting the expression of miR-320a. Upregulation of SOX9 could partially reverse miR-320a-induced migration and invasion of MG-63 and U2OS cells. In addition, upregulation of miR-320a promoted E-cadherin expression and inhibited the expression of N-cadherin and vimentin, and the effect of miR-320a was also reversed by SOX9. In conclusion, HGK inhibited proliferation, migration and invasion of MG-63 and U2OS cells through the miR-320a/SOX9 axis.

Study on the mechanism of anti-hepatic fibrosis of Glycyrrhiza Uralensis-Salvia miltiorrhiza prescription based on serum and urine metabolomics and network pharmacology

Hepatic fibrosis (HF) is a kind of chronic epidemic liver disease. Glycyrrhiza Uralensis and Salvia Miltiorrhiza (GUSM), traditional Chinese medicine, has the obvious clinical treatment of liver fibrosis. This study aimed to investigate the mechanisms of GUSM against HF by an integrated strategy combining untargeted metabolomics with network pharmacology. The results showed that GUSM prescription can improve the morphology and structure of liver tissue, inhibit the proliferation of collagen fibers and reducing the inflammatory response of the liver and so on. Endogenous metabolites and HF-related potential biomarkers in serum and urine were detected by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF/MS). The metabolic pathways were enriched by MetaboAnalyst. GUSM prescription showed an antifibrotic effect on rats by regulating metabolic pathways, mainly pentose and glucuronate interconversions and arachidonic acid metabolism. Network pharmacology was then applied to find 42 overlapping targets of GUSM-HF. Quercetin was found to be the main active component and STAT3 was the main active target in GUSM prescription. Molecular docking showed high affinities between quercetin and STAT3. Therefore, GUSM has protective effects on HF by regulating the metabolism and different signaling pathways. The work also shows that the metabolomic and network pharmacology methods are promising tools to gain insight into the efficacy and mechanism research of traditional Chinese medicines.

Yuanhuacin and Related Anti-Inflammatory and Anticancer Daphnane Diterpenes from Genkwa Flos—An Overview

The dried flower buds of the plant Daphne genkwa Sieb. et Zucc. have been largely used in traditional Chinese medicine for the treatment of inflammatory diseases. Numerous diterpenoids have been isolated from the Genkwa Flos (yuanhua in Chinese), including a series of daphnane-type diterpene designated as yuanhuacin (YC, often improperly designated as yuanhuacine) and analogues with a patronymic name. The series includes ten daphnane-type diterpenes: yuanhuacin, yuanhuadin (YD), yuanhuafin (YF), yuanhuagin (YG), yuanhuahin (YH), yuanhuajin (YJ), yuanhualin (YL), yuanhuamin (YM), yuanhuapin (YP), and yuanhuatin (YT). They are distinct from the rare flavonoid yuanhuanin. The series comprises several anticancer agents, such as the lead compound YC, which has revealed potent activity in vitro and in vivo against models of lung and breast cancers. The main signaling pathways implicated in the antitumor effects have been delineated. Protein kinase C is a key factor of activity for YC, but in general the molecular targets at the origin of the activity of these compounds remain little defined. Promising anticancer effects have been reported with analogues YD and YT, whereas compounds YF and YP are considered more toxic. The pharmacological activity of each compound is presented, as well as the properties of Genkwa Flos extracts. The potential toxic effects associated with the use of these compounds are also underlined.

Revealing the Toxicity-Enhancing Essence of Glycyrrhiza on Genkwa Flos Based on Ultra-high-performance Liquid Chromatography Coupled With Quadrupole-Orbitrap High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry and Self-Assembled Supramolecular Technology

Researchers often focus on the mechanisms of synergistic agents, a few explore drug combinations that enhance toxicity, while few have studied the internal mechanism of compatibility enhancement in chemical level. Herein, we present a comprehensive analysis based on ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole-Orbitrap high-resolution mass spectrometry (UHPLC-Q-Orbitrap HRMS) and a self-assembled supramolecular strategy, which reveals the toxicity-enhancing essence of glycyrrhizic acid originated in licorice when combined with Genkwa Flos. Through this method, we discovered the toxicity was enhanced through the formation of a supramolecular complex from Genkwa Flos/glycyrrhizic acid. The morphology and size distribution of the self-assembled nanoparticles were characterized by scanning electron microscopy and dynamic light scattering Furthermore, a total of 58 constituents (eight diterpenoids, 35 flavonoids, five phenylpropanoids, four nucleosides, two amino acids, and four other compounds) consisted from the supramolecular complex were identified through accurate-mass measurements in full-scan MS/data-dependent MS/MS mode. Based on the hydrophobic interaction of glycyrrhizic acid with yuanhuacine (one of main ingredients from Genkwa Flos), the supramolecular self-assembly mechanism was revealed with proton nuclear magnetic resonance (¹H-NMR) and NOESY 2D NMR. The toxicity of Genkwa Flos and Genkwa Flos/glycyrrhizic acid supramolecular complex were compared through in vitro studies on L-02 cells using a 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay; and 4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) staining was performed to further confirm the enhancement inhibition of Genkwa Flos/glycyrrhizic acid supramolecular complex than Genkwa Flos. This study provides fundamental scientific evidence of the formation of a self-assembled phytochemical supramolecular when Genkwa Flos and glycyrrhizic acid are combined, enabling to understand their clinical incompatibility and contraindication.

Investigation of the incompatibility of Knoxiae Radix and Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma in rats by 1 H NMR and MS-based untargeted metabolomic analysis

Knoxiae Radix (HDJ, usually used after being processed into CHDJ) is a traditional Chinese herbal medicine that has been recorded in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia for many years. It is said that Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma (GC) is incompatible with HDJ, but this is unproven. In this work, nontargeted metabolomics experiments were performed on rats to evaluate the effect of the combination of the two herbals. For this, we conducted a 28-day administration in rats. The plasma, urine and kidney tissues were collected for a metabolomics study based on ¹ H NMR and LC-MS. The OPLS-DA method was used to screen biomarkers. In addition, the KEGG Pathway database and MetaboAnalyst were used to find metabolic pathways. Twenty-two significant metabolites were identified. These metabolites were related to many metabolic pathways such as amino acid metabolism, synthesis and degradation of ketone bodies. Significant changes in urine creatinine levels revealed that CHDJ is nephrotoxic. When the GC-CHDJ mass ratio was 1, the toxicity was strengthened; when the GC-CHDJ' mass ratio was 3, the toxicity was alleviated. This is the first time that a metabolomics approach has been used to investigate the incompatibility of GC-CHDJ.

Licorice-Yuanhua Herbal Pair Induces Ileum Injuries Through Weakening Epithelial and Mucous Barrier Functions: Saponins, Flavonoids, and Di-Terpenes All Involved

In traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the licorice-yuanhua herbal pair is one of the most representative incompatible herbal pairs recorded in the “eighteen incompatible herbal pairs” theory. Previous studies of our research group have demonstrated several gut-related side-effects induced by the licorice-yuanhua herbal pair. In this study, we investigated whether and why this incompatible herbal pair could induce gut tissue damage. After licorice-yuanhua treatment, the duodenum, ileum, and colon and serum biomarkers of mice were examined by pathological staining, Western blot, and ELISA assays. The IEC-6 cells and LS174T cells were treated with licorice saponins, yuanhua flavonoids, and di-terpenes; iTRAQ-labeled proteomic technology was then used to explore their synergistic effects on mucosa cells, followed by verification of ZO-1 and MUC-2 protein expressions. The results showed that the licorice-yuanhua herbal pair induced ileum tissue injuries, including epithelial integrity loss, inflammation, and edema. These injuries were verified to be related to epithelial and mucous barrier weakening, such as downregulated ileum ZO-1 and MUC-2 protein expressions. Proteomic analysis also suggested that glycyrrhizic acid and genkwanin synergistically influence tight junction pathways in LS174T cells. Furthermore, licorice saponins, yuanhua flavonoids, and di-terpenes dose/structure-dependently downregulate ZO-1 and MUC-2 protein expressions in mucosa cells. Our study provides different insights into the incompatibility mechanisms and material basis of the licorice-yuanhua herbal pair, especially that besides toxic di-terpenes, licorice saponins and yuanhua flavonoids, which are commonly known to be non-toxic compounds, can also take part in the gut damage induced by the licorice-yuanhua herbal pair.

Study on the mechanism of cantharidin-induced hepatotoxicity in rat using serum and liver metabolomics combined with conventional pathology methods

Cantharidin (CTD), a compound secreted from Mylabris species, exhibits strong antitumor properties; however, hepatotoxicity restricts its clinical application. The mechanism by which CTD induces toxicity remains unclear. In the present study, the hepatotoxicity of CTD in the rat was investigated using a metabolomic approach combined with conventional pathology methods. A total of 30 rats were intragastrically treated with two doses of CTD (0.75 and 1.5 mg/kg) for 15 days to evaluate hepatotoxicity. Serum and liver samples were collected for biochemical dynamics analyses, histopathological examination and metabolomic analysis. It was found that liver index and serum biochemical indices were significantly increased. Furthermore, the pathology results showed that hepatocytes and subcellular organelles were damaged. Metabolomics analysis found 4 biomarkers in serum and 15 in the liver that were associated with CTD-induced hepatotoxicity. In addition, these were responsible for CTD hepatotoxicity by glycerophospholipid metabolism, sphingolipid metabolism, and steroid hormone biosynthesis. In conclusion, conventional pathology and metabolomics for exploring hepatotoxicity can provide useful information about the safety and potential risks of CTD.

Research Progress of Male Reproductive Toxicity of Chinese Materia Medicas

In recent years, as the infertility rate in China has been increasing year by year and semen quality decreasing, male reproductive toxicity of drugs attracts more and more attention. There are many factors that cause male reproductive toxicity, among which Chinese materia medica is an important aspect. This article will introduce the male reproductive toxicity of Chinese materia medicas grouped by different effectivenesses such as immunosuppressant, evacuant, diuretic, cardiotonic, anti-infective drug and analgesic.