Jiawei Kongsheng Zhenzhong Pill: marker compounds, absorption into the serum (rat), and Q-markers identified by UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS

Background: The Jiawei Kongsheng Zhenzhong pill (JKZP), a Chinese herbal prescription comprised of eight Chinese crude drugs, has been historically employed to treat neurological and psychological disorders. Nevertheless, the ambiguous material basis severely hindered its progress and application. Purpose: The current study aimed to establish a rapid analytical method for identifying the chemical components of the JKZP aqueous extract and the components absorbed into the rat serum to investigate the quality markers (Q-markers) responsible for the neuroprotective effects of JKZP. Methods: The qualitative detection of the chemical components, prototype components, and metabolites of the aqueous extracts of JKZP, as well as the serum samples of rats that were administered the drug, was performed using the ultra-performance liquid chromatography- quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS) technology. This analysis combined information from literature reports and database comparisons. Moreover, the study was conducted to anticipate the potential Q-markers for the neuroprotective effects of JKZP based on the "five principles" of Q-marker determination. Results: A total of 67 compounds and 111 serum components (comprising 33 prototypes and 78 metabolites) were detected and identified. Combining the principles of quality transmission and traceability, compound compatibility environment, component specificity, effectiveness, and measurability, the study predicted that five key compounds, namely, senkyunolide H, danshensu, echinacoside, loganin, and 3,6'-disinapoyl sucrose, may serve as potential pharmacological bases for the neuroprotective effects of JKZP. Conclusion: To summarize, the UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS technique can be employed to rapidly and accurately identify compounds in JKZP. Five active compounds have been predicted to be the Q-markers for the neuroprotective effects of JKZP. This discovery serves as a reference for improving quality, advancing further research and development, and utilizing Chinese herbal prescriptions.

Protective effects of Yiqi jiedu decoction on ionizing radiation-induced spermatogenic cell injury

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Ionizing radiation (IR) has found widespread application in modern medicine. As a result, radiotherapy inevitably causes spermatogenic cell injury. Many Chinese herbal prescriptions or natural extracts have the potential to protect against radiation injury.

AIM OF THE STUDY

We used GC-2spd cells to investigate the effects and potential mechanisms of YQJD decoction on protecting spermatogenic cells from ionizing radiation injury.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Firstly, the GC-2spd cells were irradiated with 60Co γ-rays (1 Gy, 2 Gy, 4 Gy and 8 Gy) to establish an in vitro model of radiation injury. After that, Cells were divided into six groups: negative control group (NC group), model group (IR group), positive drug group (IRA group), high-dose YQJD decoction (IRH group), medium-dose YQJD decoction (IRM group), and low-dose YQJD decoction group (IRL group). DNA damage, oxidative damage and inflammatory factors were measured. Cell apoptosis and cell cycle were detected by Flow cytometry. Transmission electron microscopy was performed to observe the morphological changes.

RESULTS

After irradiation with 60CO γ-ray, the results indicated that the damage of spermatocyte was significantly induced by radiation exposure over 4 Gy. Furthermore, ionizing radiation could make DNA damage and oxidative stress in in GC-2spd cells. In addition, 60CO γ-ray also caused the increase of IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α and the change of cell cycle. However, the application of YQJD decoction inhibited the damage and apoptosis of GC-2spd cells in the aspects of anti-oxidation, promoting DNA damage repair and regulating inflammatory reaction.

CONCLUSIONS

Taken together, the protective effects of YQJD decoction on 60CO γ-ray induced spermatocyte injury were confirmed in this study. This exploration might provide a new strategy for the application of Chinese herbs in radioprotection.

Yiqi Jiedu herbal decoction attenuates the 2 Gy 60Co γ ray induced spleen injury by inhibiting apoptosis and modulating the immune balance

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Irradiation-induced immunosuppression often occurs during radiotherapy in patients, which would increase the risk of opportunistic infections. Many Chinese herbal prescriptions or natural extracts have recently attracted increased radiation protection and therapy attention due to their low toxicity.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The present study aimed to investigate the protective effects of Yiqi Jiedu (YQJD) decoction on spleen injury induced by 2 Gy ⁶⁰Co γ ray in mice.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 180 Balb/c mice were randomly divided into five groups: blank control (Ctrl), model (IR), positive drug (IRA), low-dose YQJD decoction (IRL), and high-dose YQJD decoction (IRH). After a ten-day intervention, mice were exposed to a single dose of total body irradiation (2 Gy) and sacrificed on the 1^st, 3^rd, and 7^th day after irradiation. The indicators include general observations and body weight, changes in peripheral hemogram, index and histopathology examination of the spleen, distribution of lymphocyte subsets, cytokine levels, and apoptosis in the spleen.

RESULTS

In comparison to the Ctrl group, the body weight, spleen index, peripheral blood cell, and splenocyte quantities decreased significantly after exposure, accompanied by a notable increase of apoptosis in spleen cells. Moreover, ionizing radiation also broke the balance of CD4+/CD8+, Th1/Th2, and Th17/Treg, triggering immune imbalance and immunosuppression. The above injuries occurred on the 1^st day after exposure, worsened on the 3^rd, and were relieved on the 7^th day. However, the pretreatment of YQJD decoction increased the spleen index, improved the spleen structure, and inhibited radiation-induced apoptosis after exposure. Additionally, YQJD decoction has shown its ability to promote immunological balance recovery following exposure by regulating CD4+/CD8+, Th1/Th2, and Th17/Treg ratios, which may minimize the risk of infection. In addition, the high-dose of YQJD decoction showed a better protective effect than the low-dose group.

CONCLUSION

The protective effects of YQJD decoction on 2 Gy ⁶⁰Coγray induced spleen injury were confirmed in this study. This mechanism may be related to inhibiting apoptosis and modulating immune balance. This exploration might provide new insights into the use of Chinese herbs on radioprotection of the immune system.

Efficacy of Chinese herbal prescriptions containing Ejiao or Velvet antler for management of uterine fibroids: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

BACKGROUND

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of the controversial Chinese herbal prescriptions containing Ejiao or Velvet antler (VA) in the treatment of uterine fibroids.

METHODS

We searched 4 famous Chinese databases, the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, PubMed, Cochrane Central, Google Scholar, Embase, and J-STAGE up to July 2019. We included all eligible randomized controlled trials (RCTs) which compared Chinese herbal prescriptions containing Ejiao or VA (E/VA) with placebo, pharmaceutical intervention, surgery, or other traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs) for uterine fibroids and assessed the risk of bias according to the Cochrane Collaboration's tool. The software Review Manager (RevMan) 5.1 was used for data analysis.

RESULTS

A total of 9 RCTs involving 844 patients were identified. Meta-analyses demonstrated that TCM (E/VA) plus mifepristone reduced the volume of uterine fibroids to a greater degree than mifepristone alone [standardized mean difference (SMD): 0.59, 95% CI: 0.33 to 0.85, P<0.00001, I2=50%]; TCM (E/VA) did not enlarge the volume of fibroids when menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) significantly increased the volume (SMD: 1.06, 95% CI: 0.73 to 1.38, P<0.00001, I2=0. The uterine volume change difference was larger via combination therapy of TCM (E/VA) and mifepristone than that of mifepristone (SMD: 0.29, 95% CI: 0.09 to 0.49, P=0.005, I2=0%). The TCM (E/VA) group of had an advantage over the control group in the improvement of fibroid-related symptoms [relative risk (RR): 1.24, 95% CI: 1.15 to 1.35, P<0.00001, I2=0%]. It was found that TCM (E/VA) plus mifepristone could lower estradiol (E2) levels to a greater degree than mifepristone alone (SMD: 1.63, 95% CI: 0.42 to 2.83, P=0.008, I2=97%), as well as progesterone (P) level (SMD: 0.79, 95% CI: 0.55 to 1.04, P<0.00001, I2=43%) in non-menopausal women. A total of 5 studies reported adverse events (AEs), the TCM (E/VA) group was potentially safer than the control group, with lower incidence of AEs (RR: 0.24, 95% CI: 0.15 to 0.40, P<0.00001, I2=25.8%).

DISCUSSION

TCM prescriptions containing E/VA seemed superior to the control group in shrinking the volume of uterine fibroids and uterus, improving related symptoms, and reducing non-menopausal women's E2 and P levels, with lower incidence of AEs.

A Chinese herbal prescription Yiqi Jiedu decoction attenuates irradiation induced testis injury in mice

OBJECTIVE

Yiqi Jiedu (YQJD) decoction is a Chinese herbal prescription, based on an experienced expert of traditional Chinese medicine. It is used for the injuries caused by radiotherapy. The current study was designed to investigate the protective effects of YQJD decoction on radiation damage of testis in mice, and to explore its potential mechanisms.

METHODS

Mice were randomly divided into blank control group (Ctrl), model group (IR), positive drug group (IRA), and YQJD decoction group (IRY). After 10-day period intervention, they were whole-body irradiated with 2 Gy ⁶⁰Co γ-rays and sacrificed on 7^th day after irradiation. The indicators including the index and histopathology examination of testis, spermatogenic cell types and apoptosis, and the expression of TLR5, MyD88, NF-κB, TNF-α, IL-6 and Bcl-2 in testis.

RESULTS

The testis atrophied significantly on 7^th day of exposure to radiation, while YQJD decoction promoted the recovery of testis index and structure. Moreover, spermatogenic cell types and apoptosis had significant changes after irradiation. YQJD decoction protected the testicular function of spermatogenesis, as while as reduced the apoptosis rate of spermatogenic cells. In addition, RT-PCR and immunohistochemical analysis showed that YQJD decoction up-regulated the expression of TLR5 in testis. The levels of TLR5's downstream factors were also up-regulated in YQJD decoction group, which indicated that TLR5 signaling pathway might play an important role in the protective effects of YQJD decoction.

CONCLUSIONS

The results showed that YQJD decoction attenuated irradiation induced testis injury in mice. Its potential mechanism was related to TLR5 signaling pathway.