Historical and pharmacological studies on rehmannia root processing- Trends in usage and comparison of the immunostimulatory effects of its products with or without steam processing and pretreatment with liquor

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.

Rgl-exomiR-7972, a novel plant exosomal microRNA derived from fresh Rehmanniae Radix, ameliorated lipopolysaccharide-induced acute lung injury and gut dysbiosis

Plant-derived exosome-like nanoparticles (ELNs) have been proposed as a novel therapeutic tool for preventing human diseases. However, the number of well-verified plant ELNs remains limited. In this study, the microRNAs in ELNs derived from fresh Rehmanniae Radix, a well-known traditional Chinese herb for treating inflammatory and metabolic diseases, were determined by using microRNA sequencing to investigate the active components in the ELNs and the protection against lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced acute lung inflammation in vivo and in vitro. The results showed that rgl-miR-7972 (miR-7972) was the main ingredient in ELNs. It exerted stronger protective activities against LPS-induced acute lung inflammation than catalpol and acteoside, which are two well-known chemical markers in this herb. Moreover, miR-7972 decreased the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α), reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nitric oxide (NO) in LPS-exposed RAW264.7 cells, thereby facilitating M2 macrophage polarization. Mechanically, miR-7972 downregulated the expression of G protein-coupled receptor 161 (GPR161), activating the Hedgehog pathway, and inhibited the biofilm form of Escherichia coli via targeting virulence gene sxt2. Therefore, miR-7972 derived from fresh R. Radix alleviated LPS-induced lung inflammation by targeting the GPR161-mediated Hedgehog pathway, recovering gut microbiota dysbiosis. It also provided a new direction for gaining novel bioactivity nucleic acid drugs and broadening the knowledge on cross-kingdom physiological regulation through miRNAs.

Comparing steamed and wine-stewed Rehmanniae Radix in terms of Yin-nourishing effects via metabolomics and microbiome analysis

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Rehmanniae Radix Praeparata (RRP), the processed root of Rehmannia glutinosa, has been widely used to treat Yin deficiency syndrome in traditional Chinese medicine. RRP is available in two forms: processed by steaming with water (SRR) or processed by stewing with yellow rice wine (WRR). Previous work has documented chemical differences in the secondary metabolomes and glycomes of SRR and WRR.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This study aimed to compare SRR and WRR in terms of Yin-nourishing effects via metabolomics and microbiome analysis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

ICR mice were orally administered with thyroxine for 14 d to induce Yin deficiency. Changes in biochemical indices and histopathology were detected. Serum metabolomics analysis and microbial 16S rRNA sequencing were performed to compare the therapeutic effects and mechanisms between SRR and WRR in treating thyroxine-induced Yin deficiency.

RESULTS

Both SRR and WRR decreased serum T3, T4 and MDA levels, and increased SOD activity. SRR more effectively decreased serum Cr, and ameliorated kidney injury, while WRR showed better regulation on ratio of cAMP/cGMP and serum TSH, and relieved thyroid injury. Both SRR and WRR regulated tyrosine, glycerophospholipid, and linoleic acid metabolism and the citric acid cycle. Additionally, SRR regulated fatty acid metabolism, while WRR influenced alanine, aspartate and glutamate metabolism, and bile acid biosynthesis. SRR significantly enriched the genera Staphylococcus and Bifidobacterium in the gut microbiome, while WRR significantly enriched the genera Akkermansia, Bacteroides and Parabacteroides, and decreased the abundance of Lactobacillus.

CONCLUSIONS

SRR displayed better protective effects on kidney, while WRR showed stronger effects on thyroid in thyroxine-induced Yin deficient mice. These differences might be due to different regulating effects of SRR and WRR on the metabolome and gut microbiota.

Characterization of macrophage activation after treatment with polysaccharides from ginseng according to heat processing

The worldwide persistence of infectious diseases is a significant public health issue. Consequently, studying immunomodulatory ingredients present in natural products, such as ginseng, is important for developing new treatment options. Here, we extracted three different types of polysaccharides from white (P-WG), red (P-RG), and heat-processed (P-HPG) ginseng and analyzed their chemical properties and immunostimulatory activity against RAW 264.7 murine macrophages. Carbohydrates were the main components of all three polysaccharide types, while uronic acid and protein levels were relatively low. Chemical analysis indicated that the content of carbohydrates (total sugar) increased with processing temperature, while that of uronic acid decreased. Treatment with P-WG, P-RG or P-HPG stimulated nitric oxide (NO) production and increased tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin (IL)-6 levels in RAW 264.7 macrophages, with P-WG showing the highest activity among the three polysaccharides. The expression of inducible NO synthase, which affects NO secretion, was highest in the macrophages treated with P-WG. Analysis of intracellular signaling pathways showed that mitogen-activated protein kinases (ERK, JNK, and p38) and NF-kB p65 were strongly phosphorylated by P-WG in macrophages but were only moderately phosphorylated by P-RG and P-HPG. Collectively, these results suggest that the polysaccharides isolated from ginseng undergo different changes in response to heat processing and display different chemical compositions and immune-enhancing activities.

Zhuanggu Guanjie herbal formula mitigates osteoarthritis via the NF-κB transduction mechanism

The Zhuanggu Guanjie herbal formula has been a famous Chinese prescription for treating bone diseases since time immemorial. The anti-osteoarthritis (OA) properties of this botanical prescription are well documented in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia. However, the detailed mechanisms behind the phenomenon have not been elucidated. Hence, we aimed to investigate the anti-OA efficacy of the Zhuanggu Guanjie herbal formula and its underlying mechanism. The anti-OA properties of Zhuanggu Guanjie capsule (ZGC) were determined by the cytokine contents and inflammatory-related proteins, which were measured by RT-PCR, flow cytometry, Western blot, and laser confocal assay in ATDC5 cells. The levels of interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-α, inducible nitric oxide synthase, cyclooxygenase-2, and prostaglandin synthesis E2 have been markedly reduced after being treated with ZGC for 48 h in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, ZGC prevented the translocation of NF-κB from the cytosol to the nucleus. On the other hand, we used the mono-iodoacetate (MIA)-induced OA model to confirm the in vivo efficacies of this herbal formula. Oral administration of ZGC attenuated MIA-induced OA damage through changes in histopathological and knee joint volumes. The serum matrix metalloproteinase-13 contents in the ZGC treatment group declined as compared to those in the MIA model group. Through our in vitro and in vivo studies, we confirmed the anti-OA efficacy of ZGC and uncovered its detailed mechanism, and this treatment shed light on OA pathophysiology.

The anti-aging effects of Renshen Guben on thyrotoxicosis mice: Improving immunosenescence, hypoproteinemia, lipotoxicity, and intestinal flora

With the rapid aging of the population, the control of age-related disease susceptibility and prognosis faces greater challenges. There is an urgent need for a strategy to maintain the vitality of elderly people. In this study, the effect of Renshen Guben (RSGB) oral liquid was investigated on an accelerated aging mice model of thyrotoxicosis by conventional detection methods combined with multiomics technology. The results showed that RSGB increased the number of neutrophils and lymphocytes, enhanced the function of lymphocytes, and increased the levels of complement and antimicrobial peptides, which indicated that RSGB improved the immunity of thyrotoxicosis mice at the cellular and molecular levels. RSGB corrected malnutrition in thyrotoxicosis mice by improving anemia, hypoalbuminemia, ion transporters, and vitamin-binding proteins. RSGB significantly reduced the lipotoxicity by reducing the level of fatty acids, triglyceride, sphingolipids, and glucocorticoids, thus increasing the level of docosapentaenoic acid (DPA) and bile acids, which contributed to improve immunosenescence. The intestinal defense ability of thyrotoxicosis mice was enhanced with the increase of bile acids and lactic acid bacteria by the RSGB treatment. The plant metabolomics analysis showed that there were various active components in RSGB oral liquid and medicated serum, including terpenoids, phenolic acids, flavonoids, tannin, alkaloids, organic acids, phenolamines, amino acids, and others. They have antioxidant, immune regulation, and anti-aging effects, which was the material basis of RSGB. Totally, RSGB protected the thyrotoxicosis mice against aging by improving immunosenescence, hypoproteinemia, lipotoxicity, and the intestinal flora. It will be beneficial for improving the disease susceptibility and prognosis of the elderly.

Correlation between the redox activity of Polygonum multiflorum extract and its extraction technology with Chinese liquor (Baijiu): An electrochemistry-based study

Elucidating the pharmaceutical mechanisms behind traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is the key to promote its modernization process. In China, soaking TCM in liquor has a history of thousands of years, and many TCMs have to be processed into liquor before they can be used to treat diseases. Chinese liquor (Baijiu) contains more than 2,000 trace components, the interaction mechanism between TCM and Baijiu still remains unclear, making TCM a "mystery". The TCM industry commonly employs chromatographic and spectrographic technology to investigate the redox activity of TCM substances. However, only investigating the redox differences in specific active substances cannot provide a complete understanding of the redox activity of TCM substances. Thus, we employed the electrochemical approach to study the overall redox activity of substances in TCM in situ. The key result is that the redox substances in Baijiu function as a mediator for the redox reaction of Polygonum multiflorum extract. The redox efficiency of the extract is enhanced because of the faster electron transferability of the redox mediator in Baijiu.

Structural changes, and anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer potential of polysaccharides from multiple processing of Rehmannia glutinosa

Polysaccharides play important roles in the bioactivities of Rehmannia glutinosa. This study examined the physiochemical structure and biological activity of the polysaccharides of R. glutinosa during nine steps of processing. Characteristic study showed galactose, glucose, and fructose were the major sugars in the polysaccharides. The percentage of the high-molecular weight polysaccharide increased after processing. In addition, polysaccharides from repeated steam and dry processing of R. glutinosa can effectively increase the anti-inflammatory activity. Secretions of tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-6, and transforming growth factor (TGF)β after lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation were detected in RAW264.7 macrophages because of its anti-inflammatory activity. RG-B9, a polysaccharide of the ninth steam and dry processing, showed the strongest inhibitory activity on bacterial LPS-induced macrophage IL-6 and TGFβ production. Mechanically, RG-B9 down-regulated the phosphorylation of AKT/ERK. The anti-inflammation of RG-B9 involved AKT/ERK/JNK signaling. In addition, RG-B9 inhibited the viability of lung cancer cells via EGFR/AKT signaling.

Effect of steam-processing of the Panax ginseng root on its inducible activity on granulocyte-colony stimulating factor secretion in intestinal epithelial cells in vitro

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Panax ginseng root has been used as tonic in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and traditional Japanese Kampo medicine. Steam processing of Panax ginseng root is carried out to enhance its nourishing effects on qi.

AIM OF THE STUDY

In order to explore the mechanism of these beneficial effects behind the steam processing of the P. ginseng root, we evaluated effectiveness of processing on the granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) secretion in intestinal epithelial cell-like MCE301 cells.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We collected P. ginseng root samples in the markets of China and Japan. Fresh or dried samples were steamed for different time lengths and subsequently dried and extracted. MCE301 cells were incubated with the medium containing various P. ginseng root extracts, while the concentration of G-CSF in the medium was measured. We also investigated the active ingredients by size exclusion HPLC.

RESULTS

The extracts of fresh P. ginseng hairy root samples steamed for more than 6 h significantly induced G-CSF secretion, and the maximum activity was recorded at a 9-h steaming. The same activity was noted when already dried P. ginseng hairy root samples were steamed. The extracts of fresh P. ginseng hairy root without steam processing and those of fresh P. ginseng root body samples with steam processing exhibited no activities. The active ingredients of steamed P. ginseng hairy root samples were high-molecular-weight compounds with an average molecular weight of 758 kDa, and the activity was mediated by the toll-like receptor (TLR) 9.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results shed on more light on the mechanism underlying the appearance of immunostimulatory activity of the P. ginseng hairy root induced by steam processing.

Research on the effect of spleen-invigorating and anti-swelling active ingredients in crude and processed coix seed based on Spectrum - Effects relationship combined with chemometrics

Coix seed (CS) is the dry mature seed kernel of Coix lacrma-jobi L. var. mayuen (Roman.) Stapf, which has the effect of spleen-invigorating and anti-swelling. However, research reports on the main active ingredients of CS were minimal. The purpose of this study was to find the main active ingredients that affect the efficacy of CS to invigorate the spleen and reduce swelling through the spectrum-effect relationship, combined with chemometrics, grey relational analysis (GRA) and entropy method, and to compare the differences between the effects of crude and processed CS. First of all, the HPLC-ELSD method was used to establish the chromatographic fingerprint of CS, and 12 batches of CS samples were analyzed through chemometrics in this study. Then, we studied the effect of spleen-invigorating and anti-swelling in CS. Finally, through grey relational analysis and entropy method, the spectrum-effect relationship between the chromatographic fingerprint and the seven pharmacodynamic effect indexes was studied. The results showed that the main pharmacologically active ingredients were 1,3-Dioleoyl-2-palmitoylglycerol (peak 8), 1,2-dilinoleoyl-3-oleoyl-rac-glycerol (peak 2), 1,3-Dipalmitoyl-2-Linolein (peak 5), 1,2-Dilinoleoyl-3-palmitoyl-rac-glycerol (peak 3), 1,2-Dioleoyl-3-linoleoyl-rac-glycerol (peak 4), and glycerol trioleate (peak 7), and the comprehensive efficacy of bran-fried CS was better than that of raw CS. In summary, we have identified the main active ingredients related to the efficacy of CS. As far as we know, this is the first time that the crude and processed CS spectrum-effect relationship has been established and compared, which provides a theoretical basis for subsequent studies on the material basis and molecular mechanism of CS pharmacodynamics.

A Song of Ice and Fire: Cold and Hot Properties of Traditional Chinese Medicines

The theory of cold and hot properties is the basic theory of traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs) and has been successfully applied to combat human diseases for thousands of years. Although the theory of cold and hot is very important to guide the clinical application of TCMs, this ancient theory remains an enigma for a long time. In recent years, more and more researchers have tried to uncover this ancient theory with the help of modern techniques, and the cold and hot properties of a myriad of TCMs have been studied. However, there is no review of cold and hot properties. In this review, we first briefly introduced the basic theories about cold and hot properties, including how to distinguish between the cold and hot properties of TCMs and the classification and treatment of cold and hot syndromes. Then, focusing on the application of cold and hot properties, we take several important TCMs with cold or hot property as examples to summarize their traditional usage, phytochemistry, and pharmacology. In addition, the mechanisms of thermogenesis and antipyretic effect of these important TCMs, which are related to the cold and hot properties, were summarized. At the end of this review, the perspectives on research strategies and research directions of hot and cold properties were also offered.

Honey isomaltose contributes to the induction of granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) secretion in the intestinal epithelial cells following honey heating

We have previously discovered that heated honey but not unheated honey could induce the secretion of granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) in the MCE301 intestinal epithelial cells. The objective of this study was to identify compounds in honey that could contribute to this activity. We bought several kinds of commercial honey samples derived from different flowers, as well as corn syrup samples, in the markets of China and Japan, and heated them at 180 °C for 30 min. MCE301 cells were treated with the medium containing the samples, and G-CSF levels in the medium were measured by ELISA. By comparing their activities and sugar contents, we discovered that isomaltose was primarily implicated. The optimum heating conditions for isomaltose were at 180 °C for 60 min or at 200 °C for 15-30 min, and these time- and temperature-dependencies were similar to those of honey in our previous study. When heated isomaltose was partitioned by dialysis, the active ingredients were transferred into a high-molecular-weight fraction. By size-exclusion HPLC analysis, the average molecular weight of heated isomaltose was 790 kDa. When heated isomaltose was hydrolyzed by acids, glucose was subsequently produced. Maltose, sucrose, turanose, and trehalose did not exhibited any activity when heated at 180 °C for 60 min, indicating that the glucose groups with α(1 → 6)-binding in the isomaltose molecule play important roles in its activity when oxidatively polymerized by heat. The stimulating activity of heated isomaltose was inhibited by toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) inhibitor, suggesting that heated isomaltose activates TLR4 to induce G-CSF. Since G-CSF is clinically used for cancer patients to accelerate their recovery from neutropenia following chemotherapy or accompanied with aplastic anemia, these findings indicate that honey which contains high level of isomaltose could improve immunosuppressive conditions when honey is heated, and that heated isomaltose might be of potential therapeutic use in patients with compromised immunity caused by chemotherapeutic agents.