Effect of Rhei Radix et Rhizoma and Eupolyphaga Steleophaga on liver protection mechanism based on pharmacokinetics and metabonomics

Objective

Based on metabonomics technology of high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) and hydrogen nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H NMR), the pharmacokinetic characteristics and therapeutic mechanism of Rhei Radix et Rhizoma (RhRR, Dahuang in Chinese), Eupolyphaga Steleophaga (EuS, Tubiechong in Chinese) combined with RhRR acting on acute liver injury were explored.

Methods

Models of acute liver injury were established, and the pharmacokinetic methods of five components of RhRR-EuS in rats were found by HPLC-MS/MS. The liver tissues of different groups of mice were analyzed by 1H NMR spectroscopy combined with multivariate statistical analysis to investigate the metabolomics of RhRR-EuS and RhRR.

Results

Pharmacokinetic results showed there were different levels of bimodal phenomenon in different groups, and the absorption of free anthraquinone in RhRR increased after compatibility with EuS. In addition, the pathological state of acute liver injury in rats can selectively promote the absorption of emodin, chrysophanol, physcion and aloe emodin. Through 15 differential metabolites in the liver tissue of acute liver injury mice, it was revealed that RhRR-EuS and RhRR could protect the liver injury by regulating the metabolism of glutamine and glutamic acid, alanine, aspartic acid and glutamic acid, and phosphoinositide. However, the regulation of RhRR was weaker than that of RhRR-EuS.

Conclusion

For the first time, we studied the pharmacokinetics and metabolomics differences of RhRR-EuS and RhRR in rats and mice with acute liver injury, in order to provide theoretical reference for clinical treatment of liver disease by DHZCP.

[Comparative study of purgative pharmacological effects and mechanisms of Moringa oleifera leaves and Rhei Radix et Rhizoma]

Moringa oleifera leaves are known for their "Virechana"(purgative) effect in Ayurvedic medicine in India. This study compared the purgative effects and mechanisms of M. oleifera leaves with the reference Rhei Radix et Rhizoma to establish a foundation for the further application of M. oleifera leaves in traditional Chinese medicine(TCM). Using network pharmacology and molecular docking methods, this study identified the material basis, common targets, and signaling pathways through which Rhei Radix et Rhizoma and M. oleifera leaves exerted their purgative pharmacological effects. A low-fiber diet-induced constipation mouse model was established to measure fecal parameters and small intestinal propulsion rate, and histological changes in the colon were observed using HE staining. Relative expression levels of relevant genes and target proteins were assessed using RT-qPCR and immunohistochemistry, respectively. The results showed that mapping the targets of Rhei Radix et Rhizoma and M. oleifera leaves onto the biological process network of constipation revealed close proximity, indicating that they may exert their therapeutic effects on constipation through similar biological processes. Molecular docking results indicated that compounds such as sennoside C and isoquercitrin could target serine/threonine protein kinases(AKT1) and mitogen-activated protein kinase 3(MAPK3), thereby affecting MAPK and calcium signaling pathways to promote defecation. Animal experiments demonstrated that both M. oleifera leaves and Rhei Radix et Rhizoma increased the number of fecal pellets and water content in constipated mice, improved small intestine motility, colon mucosal thickness, and muscle layer thickness, upregulated the gene expression levels of AKT1 and MAPK3 in the colon, and downregulated the expression of AQP3 protein. These findings suggest that M. oleifera leaves and Rhei Radix et Rhizoma share similarities in their therapeutic efficacy and mechanisms for treating constipation. Using Rhei Radix et Rhizoma as a reference can provide a better understanding of the characteristics of the "Virechana"(purgative) effect of M. oleifera leaves in TCM.

Separation and purification of glycosides from medicinal plants based on strong polar separation medium with online closed-loop mode

Natural glycosides widely distributed in medicinal plants are valuable sources of therapeutic agents, showing various pharmacological effects. The separation and purification of natural glycosides are meaningful for their pharmacological research, which face with great challenges due to the complex of medicinal plants samples. In this work, two kinds of functional monolithic separation mediums A and S were fabricated and fully applied in the online extraction, separation and purification of active glycoside components from medicinal plants with a simple-procedure closed-loop mode. Chrysophanol glucoside and physcion glucoside were detected and separated from Rhei Radix et Rhizoma using separation medium A as a solid-phase extraction adsorbent. Rhapontin was isolated and purified from Rheum hotaoense C. Y. Cheng et Kao using separation medium S as the stationary phase of high-performance liquid chromatography. Compared to the reported literatures, high yield of 5.68, 1.20 and 4.76 mg g-1 of these three products were obtained with high purity. These two online closed-loop mode methods were carried out using high-performance liquid chromatography system, in which the sample injection, isolation and purification procedures are all online mode, and reduced loss compared to offline extraction and purification procedures, thus achieving high recovery and high purity.

[Material basis of Rhei Radix et Rhizoma-Coptidis Rhizoma combination in alleviating "bitter-cold" properties based on supramolecular chemistry of Chinese medicine]

The present study aimed to explore the material basis of Rhei Radix et Rhizoma-Coptidis Rhizoma combination in alleviating "bitter-cold" properties based on the supramolecular chemistry of Chinese medicine.Dynamic light scattering and scanning/transmission electron microscopy were used to characterize the morphological characteristics of supramolecules in the decoction of Rhei Radix et Rhizoma and Coptidis Rhizoma.The chemical composition of supramolecules, as well as the dissolution and release processes of supramolecules and the medicinal components of Coptidis Rhizoma decoction, was determined by the high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry.The differences in "bitter-cold" medicinal properties between Rhei Radix et Rhizoma decoction, Coptidis Rhizoma decoction, and co-decoction were analyzed by sensory evaluation, electronic tongue, mouse diarrhea model, and pathological indicators.The anthraquinones/tannins and alkaloids interacted to form supramolecules with a scale of about 400 nm when Rhei Radix et Rhizoma and Coptidis Rhizoma were decocted together, which delayed the dissolution and release of the active components represented by berberine. Compared with the consequence of single drug administration at 4 g·kg~(-1), the combination of the two drugs at 8 g·kg~(-1) significantly alleviated the "bitter-cold" properties.The effective components interacted to form supramolecules in the co-decoction of Rhei Radix et Rhizoma and Coptidis Rhizoma, which affected the dissolution and release of the effective components of Chinese medicinal decoction, thereby alleviating the "bitter-cold" properties.The findings of this study provide a new idea for revealing the scientific compatibility of Rhei Radix et Rhizoma and Coptidis Rhizoma.

Application of DNA barcoding to the entire traditional Chinese medicine industrial chain: A case study of Rhei Radix et Rhizoma

BACKGROUND

Safety concerns, caused by complex and unpredictable adulterants, run through the entire industrial chain of traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs). However, the conventional circulation traceability system only focuses on a certain end or link at the back end of the TCM industrial chain, ignoring the integrity of the links cross the entire industrial chain and lacking traceability. In consequence, a strict and rational supervision system is urgently required for the entire industrial chain.

HYPOTHESIS/PURPOSE

We hypothesize that DNA barcoding would be a suitable measure for the traceability of adulterants in the entire TCM industrial chain.

METHODS

In this study, Rhei Radix et Rhizoma was selected as a model to establish a traceability system for the entire TCM industrial chain. A total of 110 samples, including leaves, seeds, roots, decoction pieces, and traditional Chinese patent medicines (TCPMs), were collected upstream, midstream, and downstream of the entire industrial chain of Rhei Radix et Rhizoma. The ndhF-rpl32 fragment rather than the universal DNA barcodes, which could not distinguish the three original species of Rhei Radix et Rhizoma, was selected as a specific DNA barcode to evaluate the practical application of DNA barcoding in the chain.

RESULTS

The results showed that the ndhF-rpl32 fragment in all samples could be amplified and bi-directionally sequenced. Based on the standard operating procedures of DNA barcoding, the ndhF-rpl32 fragment clearly distinguished the seven Rheum species collected upstream of the entire industrial chain. For the samples collected midstream and downstream of the entire industrial chain, 25% of the 36 commercial decoction pieces samples were identified as adulterants, whereas the eight TCPM samples were all derived from genuine Rhei Radix et Rhizoma.

CONCLUSIONS

This study shows that DNA barcoding is a powerful and suitable technology that can be applied to trace TCMs in the entire industrial chain, thereby assuring clinical medication safety.

HRPIF data mining based on data-dependent/independent acquisition for Rhei Radix et Rhizoma metabolite screening in rats

In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), components with identical nuclei often share structural similarity, indicating the possibility of similar second-level mass spectrometry (MS/MS) fragments. High-resolution product-ion filter (HRPIF) technique can be utilized to identify metabolites, with similar fragments, in vivo. In principle, this technique applies to TCM; however, its application has been restricted due to the limitations of traditional MS/MS data acquisition. Therefore, a novel analysis strategy, based on data-dependent acquisition (DDA) and data-independent acquisition (DIA) datasets, has been developed for the determination of template product ions and efficient non-targeted identification of TCM-related components in vivo by HRPIF and background subtraction (BS). This DDA-DIA combination strategy, taking Rhei Radix et Rhizoma as a test case, identified 71 anthraquinone prototype components in vitro (36 of which were discovered for the first time), and 45 related components in vivo, confirming glucuronidation and sulfation as the main reactions. The developed strategy could rapidly identify TCM-related components in vivo with high sensitivity, indicating the immense importance of this novel HRPIF data mining technology in TCM analysis.

Screen of anti-migraine active compounds from Duijinsan by spectrum-effect relationship analysis and molecular docking

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Duijinsan (DJS) is a famous Chinese medicine prescription composed of Radix scutellariae (RS) and Rhei Radix (RRR), which has been mainly used for treating migraine.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This study aimed to uncover the anti-migraine active compounds from DJS and preliminary predicted the pharmacological mechanism by evaluating the spectrum-effect relationship between high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) fingerprints and anti-migraine effects of Duijinsan (DJS) extract combined with molecular docking.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

HPLC and LC-MS were applied for chemical analyses of DJS extracts in different proportions. Inhibition of DJS extracts on trigeminal nerve cell releasing calcitonin gene related peptide (CGRP) experiment was performed. The active compounds were screened by spectrum-effect relationship analysis and confirmed by molecular docking and the activities of major predicted compounds were validated in vitro.

RESULTS

Twenty-six common peaks were assigned and identified from the fingerprints of different proportions DJS extracts. In vitro experimental results showed that DJS extracts inhibited inflammation and release of CGRP from trigeminal nerve cells. Five predicted active compounds, Chrysin 6-C-arabinoside 8-C-glucoside, Chrysin 6-C-glucoside 8-C-arabinoside, baicalin, Chrysin-7-O-Beta-D-glucoronide and Oroxylin A 7-O-glucuronide were sorted out according to spectrum-effect relationship analysis and molecular docking comprehensively. In vitro validation experiments showed that all the predicted compounds inhibited the CGRP releasing and the activation of TRPV1 channel. Baicalin, chrysin-7-O-β-D-glucuronide and Oroxylin A-7-glucoronide significantly inhibited the activation of TRPV1 channel.

CONCLUSION

Chrysin 6-C-arabinoside 8-C-glucoside, Chrysin 6-C-glucoside 8-C-arabinoside, baicalin, Chrysin-7-O-Beta-D-glucoronide and Oroxylin A 7-O-glucuronide which can inhibit the CGRP releasing and the activation of TRPV1 channel were screened as the anti-migraine active compounds by spectrum-effect relationship analysis and molecular docking.

[Research progress in original species identification in industry chain of Rhei Radix et Rhizoma]

Rhei Radix et Rhizoma is a kind of commonly used Chinese medicinal materials. Due to the overharvesting, the wild resource is endangering. Large market demand caused severely adulterant of commercial Rhei Radix et Rhizoma medicinal materials and decoction pieces. This manuscript reviewed the advances of the original species authentication in the industrial chain of Rhei Radix et Rhizoma during the latest decade, including characteristics and microscopic features, phytochemical analysis on anthraquinones, and molecular authentication based on DNA barcoding. Accordingly, an original species authentication route for the industrial chain of Rhei Radix et Rhizoma was summarized:(1)the identification of seeds and seedlings by DNA barcoding;(2) the selection of high variable sites based on the chloroplast genome;(3)biomonitoring of the Rhei Radix et Rhizoma medicinal materials and decoction pieces by two-dimensional DNA barcode;(4)traceability of Chinese patent medicines by third-generation sequencing. In conclusion, the combination of molecular identification and traditional identification methods provides a new idea for the identification of the original species of Rhei Radix et Rhizoma in the industrial chain and a essential guidance for the research of drug safety and efficacy of Rhei Radix et Rhizoma.

[Research progress on processing history evolution as well as effect on chemical compositions and traditional pharmacological effects of Rhei Radix et Rhizoma]

Rhei Radix et Rhizoma(RRR) is a commonly used traditional Chinese medicine, with extensive pharmacological effects and clinical applications. This paper summarized processing history evolution of RRR and its effect on chemical compositions and pharmacological effects, and provided feasible insights for further studies on the chemical compositions and pharmacological effects of RRR before and after processing. Relevant information demonstrated that RRR has a long history of processing and various methods. At pre-sent, Chinese Pharmacopoeia mainly records four processing methods: cleaning(raw RRR), wine processing(RRR stir-fried with wine), steaming processing(RRR wine steaming), fried charcoal(RRR charring). RRR has a good effect in clearing heat effect, hemostatic effect and blood promoting effect, and its main chemical components are anthraquinone/anthrones, stilbene, phenylbutanone, chromogens, flavonoids and tannin compounds. This paper reviewed the history evolution of RRR and its effect on chemical composition and pharmacological changes, and put forward further study ideas, with the aim to provide a basic reference for processing mechanism, effective material basis and clinical application of RRR.

[Research progress of effect of Rhei Radix et Rhizoma and its anthraquinone in treatment of autoimmune diseases]

Rhei Radix et Rhizoma was first recorded in Shennong Ben Cao Jing, with a wide range of pharmacological activities. Autoimmune disease is a kind of disease that damages the tissue structure and function of immune cells and their components due to the impairment of immune tolerance function, including atherosclerosis, multiple sclerosis, gout, rheumatoid arthritis, autoimmune thyroiditis, ulcerative colitis, type 1 diabetes and IgA nephropathy. In recent years, clinical and experimental studies show that Rhei Radix et Rhizoma has potential therapeutic effects on autoimmune diseases. Under the guidance of the theory of traditional Chinese medicine, this paper reviews therapeutic and intervening effects of Rhei Radix et Rhizoma and its main active ingredient anthraquinone on autoimmune diseases. It also puts forward new study directions in view of the existing problems in studies of rhubarb and its anthraquinone, with the aim to provide reference for clinical treatment and scientific studies of effect of Rhei Radix et Rhizomaon autoimmune diseases.

[Botanical origin identification of Rhei Radix et Rhizoma based on color digitalization]

The color characteristic information of Rhei Radix et Rhizoma powder was obtained by spectrophotometer, the feasibility of rapid identification of Rhei Radix et Rhizoma origin based on chromaticity value was studied by statistical analysis. The results of rank correlation analysis showed that a~*(P<0.01), b~*(P<0.01) had significantly correlation with the origin of medicinal herbs, which could be used as two important parameters to distinguish the origin of Rhei Radix et Rhizoma, the larger the a~* value, the more red the powder color,and the greater the b~* value, the more yellow the powder color. Meanwhile, through Fisher discriminant analysis, the linear discriminant functions of different genus Rhei Radix et Rhizoma were established, which was Rheum tanguticum=40.666a~*+0.019b~*-213.303, Rh. palmatum=34.121a~*+0.061b~*-151.770, Rh. officinale=28.071a~*+0.113b~*-104.604 3, the coincidence rate of cross-validation was over 95%, among them, the discriminant rate of Rh. tanguticum and Rh. officinale reached 100%;In addition, using the percentile method to analyze the 90% reference value range of three different origin of Rhei Radix et Rhizoma, as a result, Rh. tanguticum a~*(10.236 5-10.604 7), b~*(32.294 8-34.841 7); Rh. palmatum a~*(8.602 7-8.770 0), b~*(27.534 8-28.968 6), and Rh. officinale a~*(6.825 7-7.464 3),b~*(21.001 6-27.716 4). According to this study, rank correlation analysis and Fisher discriminant analysis are feasible to distinguish the base of Rhei Radix et Rhizoma in a certain range, and provide some theoretical basis for the identification of Rhei Radix et Rhizoma. It also provides a new method and idea for the identification of other multi-base Chinese medicine.

Exploration of the Two-Way Adjustment Mechanism of Rhei Radix et Rhizoma for Cardiovascular Diseases

AIM AND OBJECTIVE

Myocardial infarction, cerebral infarction, and other diseases caused by vascular obstruction have always jeopardized human life and health. Several reports indicate that Rhei Radix et Rhizoma has a good clinical effect in the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases. Owing to the complexity of herbal medicine, the pharmacodynamic mechanism of Rhei Radix et Rhizoma is still unclear. The objectives of this study were to explore the two-way adjustment mechanism of Rhei Radix et Rhizoma and provide a new solution for the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This study used data mining, reverse pharmacophore matching, network construction, GO and KEGG Analysis, and molecular docking to investigate the two-way adjustment mechanism of Rhei Radix et Rhizoma. The methods used were based on systems pharmacology and big data analysis technology.

RESULTS

The results suggest that Rhei Radix et Rhizoma uses a two-way adjustment of activating blood circulation, as well as blood coagulation in the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases. The components involved in activating blood circulation are mainly anthraquinone components. The corresponding targets are NOS2, NOS3, CALM1, and the corresponding pathways are calcium signaling pathway, VEGF signaling pathway, platelet activation, and the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway. For blood coagulation, the components are mainly tannin components; the corresponding targets are F2, F10, ELANE, and the corresponding pathways are the neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction, complement and coagulation cascades.

CONCLUSION

This study indicated that Rhei Radix et Rhizoma exerts the two-way adjustment of activating blood circulation and blood coagulation in the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases. It can make up for the side effects of the existing blood circulation drugs for cardiovascular disease, only activating blood circulation, and the uncontrollable large-area bleeding due to the long-term use of the drugs. This study provides a material basis for the development of new blood-activating drugs based on natural medicine.

[Study on potential hepatotoxicity of rhein in Rhei Radix et Rhizoma based on liver metabolism]

The bilirubin metabolism mediated by the phase Ⅱ metabolizing enzyme UGT1A1 in the liver was evaluated to study the potential hepatotoxicity risk based on investigation on the inhibitory effect of rhein and its metabolites on the UGT1A1 enzyme in Rhei Radix et Rhizoma. Firstly, in vitro liver microsomes incubation was used to initiate the phase Ⅱ metabolic reaction to investigate the inhibitory effect of rheinon UGT1A1 enzyme. Secondly, the phase Ⅰ and phase Ⅱ metabolic reactions were initiated to investigate the hepatotoxicity risk of rhein metabolites. It was found that the rhein and its phase Ⅱ metabolites had no significant inhibitory effect on UGT1A1 enzyme, but its phase Ⅰ metabolites significantly reduced UGT1A1 enzyme activity. Based on the metabolites analysis, it is speculated that the rhein phase Ⅰ metabolite rheinhydroxylate and its tautomers have certain hepatotoxicity risks, while the toxicity risk induced by the prototype and phase Ⅱ metabolites of rheinglucoside, rheinglucuronic acid and rhein sulfate is small.

[Quality evaluation of Rhei Radix et Rhizoma decoction]

Decoction of single medicinal herb is a reference for the standardization of different dosage forms of Chinese medicine and it provides a new direction for solving the problems existing in the quality of Chinese medicinal granules such as no uniform dosage form and no clear quality standard. In this paper, the quality evaluation method of standard decoction of rhubarb was established to provide reference for the quality control of common dosage forms such as clinical decoction and formula granule. 10 batches of representative Rhei Radix et Rhizoma were collected to establish UPLC fingerprints were established. The chemical structures of main peaks were identified with ultra-performance liquid chromatography with quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF-MS) and the main components in the decoction were Anthraquinones. The extraction ratio of the standard decoction was (28.1±3.8)% and the transfer rate was (19.9±6.3)%. The method for the quality evaluation of standard decoction of Rhei Radix et Rhizoma was established in this study, providing reference for the quality control method of terminal products from decoction of Rhei Radix et Rhizoma.

Characterization of the Principal Constituents of Danning Tablets, a Chinese Formula Consisting of Seven Herbs, by an UPLC-DAD-MS/MS Approach

Danning Tablets are a traditional Chinese formula showing broad clinical applications in hepatobiliary diseases and containing a diversity of bioactive chemicals. However, the chemical profiling of the formula, which serves as the material foundation of its efficacy, is really a big challenge as Danning Tablets consist of seven herbs from different origins. An ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled to diode array detection and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (UPLC-DAD-ESI-MS/MS) approach was developed to characterize the principal polyphenol constituents in the formula. As a result, a total of 32 constituents, including 14 anthraquinones and their glucosides, four anthrones, two naphthalene glycosides, two stilbenes and 10 flavonoids were identified based on their retention time, UV absorption and MS/MS fragmentation patterns. The sources of these compounds were also illustrated. Most of the bioactive anthraquinone derivatives were found in Rhei Radix et Rhizoma or Polygoni Cuspidati Rhizoma et Radix, which are the Emperor drugs in the formula for its clinic usage. These findings indicate the merit of using this integrated UPLC-DAD-ESI-MS/MS approach to rapidly illustrate the chemical foundation of complex formulas. The present study will facilitate the quality control of Danning Tablet formulas as well as the individual herbs.