Toxicity studies of condensed fuzheng extract in mice and rats

Nutritional supplements have been used to improve immune function. Condensed fuzheng extract (CFE) is a well-known traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formula that is predominantly made from sheep placenta, Astragalus mongholicus Bunge, and Polygonatum kingianum Collett & Hemsl. However, the toxicological profile of CFE has not been determined. In this study, we investigated the acute (14 days) and sub-chronic (90 days) oral toxicities of CFE in mice and rats and the phytochemical composition of CFE.

Materials and methods

For the assessment of acute toxicity, 80 ICR mice of both sexes were randomly divided into four groups. Three groups were treated with 4500, 2250 and 1125 mg/kg/d bw CFE daily (n = 10/group per sex) for 14 days; a separate group was used as control. To test the sub-chronic toxicity, male and female Sprague Dawley rats were orally administered 8150, 4075 or 2037 mg/kg bw of CFE for 90 days; a control group was included. Hematological, biochemical, and histopathological markers were tested at the end of the experiment. The chemical composition of CFE was determined by UPLC-HRMS method.

Results

In both acute and sub-chronic toxicity studies, no mortalities, indications of abnormality, or treatment-related adverse effects were observed. The LD50 of CFE was higher than 4500 mg/kg. There were no significant changes in the hematological and biochemical data in the treatment group compared with the control group (p > 0.05). Histopathological analyses of the heart, liver, spleen, lungs, kidneys, thymus, testes (male rats) and ovaries (female rats) revealed no anatomical changes of each organ. Phytochemical analysis of CFE revealed the presence of flavonoids (highest abundance), phenols and alkaloids. In conclusion, our results showed that CFE is a safe and non-toxic formula. We also reported phytochemicals in CFE that may possess important pharmacological effects.

Bazi Bushen maintains intestinal homeostasis through inhibiting TLR4/NFκB signaling pathway and regulating gut microbiota in SAMP6 mice

BACKGROUND

Bazi Bushen is a Chinese patented medicine with multiple health benefits and geroprotective effects, yet, no research has explored its effects on intestinal homeostasis. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effect of Bazi Bushen on intestinal inflammation and the potential mechanism of gut microbiota dysbiosis and intestinal homeostasis in senescence-accelerated mouse prone 6 (SAMP6). The hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining and immunohistochemistry were performed to assess the function of the intestinal mucosal barrier. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and Western blotting were used to determine the level of intestinal inflammation. The aging-related β-galactosidase (SA-β-gal) staining and Western blotting were used to measure the extent of intestinal aging. The 16S ribosomal RNA (16S rRNA) was performed to analyze the change in gut microbiota composition and distribution.

RESULTS

Bazi Bushen exerted remarkable protective effects in SAMP6, showing a regulated mucosal barrier and increased barrier integrity. It also suppressed intestinal inflammation through down-regulating pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α) and inhibiting TLR4/NFκB signaling pathway (MYD88, p-p65, and TLR4). Bazi Bushen improved intestinal aging by reducing the area of SA-β-gal-positive cells and the expression of senescence markers p16, p21, and p53. In addition, Bazi Bushen effectively rebuilt the gut microbiota ecosystem by decreasing the abundance of Bacteroides and Klebsiella, whiles increasing the ratio of Lactobacillus/Bacteroides and the abundance of Akkermansia.

CONCLUSION

Our study shows that Bazi Bushen could serve as a potential therapy for maintaining intestinal homeostasis. © 2023 The Authors. Journal of The Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.

The immunomodulatory activities of licorice polysaccharides (Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch.) in CT 26 tumor-bearing mice

BACKGROUND

The increasing use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) has kindled the need for scientific evaluation of the mechanism of action of CAMs. Although, licorice, a common ingredient in many Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has attracted great attention for its antitumor and immunomodulatory activities, the mechanism of action of its polysaccharides is still unclear. Here we report the immunomodulatory activity of licorice polysaccharides in vivo.

METHODS

The differential anticancer activities of licorice polysaccharides by tumorigenesis and immunomodulation was evaluated in vivo. Six weeks old, 120 CT-26 tumor bearing BALB/c mice, weighing 20 ± 2 g were used. They were randomly divided into six groups, three groups receiving high molecular weight (fraction A), low molecular weight (fraction B) polysaccharides and crude extract (fraction C); positive, negative and normal groups receiving cytoxin, saline and normal diet respectively. Weight of mice and tumors was determined and tumorigenicity assay calculated to determine the anticancer effects. Immunomodulatory potential was determined by immune organ indices, immune cell population and serum cytokine levels using immune organ weight and index, flow cytometry and cytokine/chemokine bead panel kit respectively.

RESULTS

Licorice polysaccharides exhibited immunomodulatory activities in CT 26 tumor bearing BALB/c mice. The polysaccharides significantly suppressed tumor growth and increased immune organ index. Furthermore, the immunomodulatory effect was evident with activation of CD4+ and CD8+ immune cells population. The polysaccharides also affected the production of various cytokines, by increasing IL 2, IL 6, IL 7 levels and a decreasing TNFα levels.

CONCLUSION

In summary, licorice polysaccharide especially of low molecular weight exhibit anticancer and immunomodulatory activities by suppressing tumor growth and improving general health of mice. They also augment the thymus/spleen index and population of T lymphocytes. Furthermore, the polysaccharides enhance the levels of serum antitumor cytokines, IL 2, IL 6 and IL 7 while decreasing pro-tumor cytokine TNFα.