Journal of Holistic Integrative Pharmacy最新文献

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a non-specific inflammatory bowel disease that has a high rate of recurrence, development of novel therapeutic approaches with high efficacy and few adverse effects are still needed. Dioscoreae persimilis is an edible plant that has been widely consumed as a remedy for gastrointestinal diseases in traditional Chinese medicine. Polysaccharides have been proven to have protective effects on UC. However, the role of polysaccharides from D. persimilis in UC has not been studied yet. The refined D. persimilis Polysaccharide (DP), which consists of glucose and galactose, was extracted and purified using three-phase partitioning (TPP) method. The primary chemical and structural characteristics of DP were investigated by UV, FT-IR, molecular weight, and monosaccharide composition. Based on dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) induced UC in mice, the alleviatory effect of DP on UC was explored. DP was found to alleviate histopathological changes of colon, improve colonic antioxidant capacity and ameliorate inflammation response in colitis mice. Moreover, 16S rDNA sequencing of fecal revealed that DP could restore the diversity and composition of gut microbiota, especially up-regulates the abundance of Acetatifactor, Lachnospiraceae, and Lactobacillus, and increase the ratio of Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes. According to this study, DP has the potential to serve as an effective nutritional supplement for improving colitis.

Objective

Tianhuang Formula (THF) is a hospital formula summarized by Professor Jiao Guo's 30 years of clinical experience. Some studies have shown that it can alleviate dyslipidemia in the body. The purpose of this study is to confirm whether THF can improve non-alcoholic fatty liver diseases (NAFLD) in type 2 diabetic mice induced by high-fat diet (HFD)/streptomycin (STZ) and to clarify its potential mechanism.

Methods

After induction of diabetes, mice were administrated with THF (60 ​mg/kg or 120 ​mg/kg) once daily for 10 weeks. Blood glucose (FBG), glucose tolerance, and insulin resistance (IR) were assayed by oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) and insulin tolerance test (ITT). Blood lipids, alanine transaminase (ALT), and aspartate transaminases (AST) were detected. Serum fasting insulin (INS) and adiponectin (APN) levels were measured using ELISA. Histological changes in liver and pancreatic islets were observed by H&E staining, followed by Oil Red O staining for liver lipid quantification and periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) staining to detect glycogen accumulation. Western blotting detected the levels of fatty cardiolipin synthase 1 (CRLS1), transcription factor activator 3 (ATF3), and carbohydrate-responsive element binding protein (ChREBP) in the liver. The mRNA transcripts of hepatic inflammatory factors, lipogenesis and lipolysis-related genes, and gluconeogenic enzyme-phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK), CRLS1, ATF3, and ChREBP mRNA levels were evaluated by RT-qPCR.

Results

THF restored impaired glucose tolerance and insulin resistance, respectively. There was an improvement in HFD/STZ-induced liver and islet damage, high serum HDL-C and ANP levels, and a significant decrease in FBG, total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), FFA, INS, ALT, and AST, and lipid droplet counts in the T2DM mice treated with THF. CREBBP binding protein ATF3 mediated the insulin resistance signaling pathway, which regulated glucose and lipid metabolism in the liver. THF upregulated CRLS1, and ChREBP downregulated the expression of downstream ATF3 in the liver. RT-qPCR analysis also systemically indicated that THF suppressed the pathway and key regulators related to inflammation, lipid accumulation, and gluconeogenesis.

Conclusion

Our findings demonstrated that THF ameliorated lipid profile and attenuated liver steatosis in T2DM mice through CRLS1-ATF3/ChREBP pathway activation.

Sonneratia is an important mangrove plant, and its fruit has been used as traditional medicine and food in southeast China. With recent research focusing on its compounds and activities, an increasing number of compounds with novel structures and excellent antitumor, antioxidant, and other activities have been discovered. This review covered the compounds and activities of six species of the genus Sonneratia and their endophytes. To date, 116 compounds of Sonneratia have been reported, including 26 terpenoids, 9 flavonoids, 17 phenols, 9 lignans, 27 acid lipids, 16 steroids, and 12 other compounds. The main activities of the compounds in Sonneratia are antioxidant, antitumor, liver protection, antibacterial, and antidiabetic. Research on the compounds of endophytes from Sonneratia was first reported in 2009, and 56 compounds have been isolated, which mainly include sesquiterpenes, peptides, phenanthropyran ring-structured acids, pyrones, and anthracene derivatives. Individual compounds have been produced in Sonneratia and their endophytes that have the same structural fragments, and their interactions with small molecules and sources require further study. Recent advances in the bioactivities and compounds in the Sonneratia genus and their endophytes were summarized in this review, which is useful for the future isolation and discovery of active compounds and research regarding chemical ecology from the perspective of secondary metabolites.

Prunella vulgaris is a traditional Chinese herbal medicine with many pharmacological effects, among which the anti-inflammatory effect is more significant. It is widely reported that Prunella vulgaris has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, immune regulation, intestinal flora regulation and intestinal barrier protection effects on ulcerative colitis (UC). This paper collected relevant reports to further summarize the mechanisms and effective parts of Prunella vulgaris and its monomers in the treatment of UC and provided theoretical basis and reference for the application of Prunella vulgaris in UC.

Objective

Forsythiae Fructus (lian qiao in Chinese), the dried fruit of Forsythia suspensa (Thunb.) Vahl, is a commonly used traditional Chinese medicine known for its diverse biological activities, including antiemetic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiviral, and neuroprotective properties. This study investigated the protective effects of Forsythiae Fructus and its primary components, phillyrin and forsythoside A, against cisplatin-induced cytotoxicity in vitro, specifically focusing on the intestinal epithelial cells (IEC-6) and the J774A.1 macrophage cell line.

Methods

Cisplatin and tert-butyl hydroperoxide (tBHP) were used to induce stress in IEC-6 ​cells, while cisplatin and lipopolysaccharides (LPS)/adenosine triphosphate (ATP) were employed for J774A.1 macrophages. The protective effects of Forsythiae Fructus aqueous extract (FAE), phillyrin, and forsythoside A against cytotoxicity in these cultured cells were evaluated. Cell viability was assessed using the Cell Counting Kit-8 assay, while cell membrane permeability was determined through Hoechst 33342 and propidium iodide staining. Intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were investigated using DCFH-DA, and the expression of mRNA and protein related to the NLRP3 inflammasome and GSDMD-induced pyroptosis was quantified through qRT-PCR and western blotting.

Results

In IEC-6 ​cells, combining FAE, phillyrin, or forsythrin A with a subthreshold dose of the antioxidant N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) significantly mitigated cisplatin- or tBHP-induced cell necrosis and restored impaired cell viability. Additionally, the upregulation of NF-κB, ASC, NLRP3, caspase-1, GSDMD, and HMGB1 at both mRNA and protein levels induced by cisplatin or tBHP was markedly reversed with the joint intervention of FAE, phillyrin, or forsythrin A with NAC. Similarly, in cisplatin- or LPS/ATP-treated J774A.1 macrophages, the effects on cell necrosis, cell viability, and the NLRP3/caspase-1/GSDMD pathway mirrored our previous findings in IEC-6 ​cells.

Conclusion

The study suggests that the alleviating effect of Forsythiae Fructus and its primary components, phillyrin and forsythoside A, against cisplatin-induced cytotoxicity may be attributed to inhibiting oxidative stress, downregulating the NLRP3/caspase-1/GSDMD pathway, and inhibiting pyroptosis.

Objective

Transition metal ruthenium(II) complex was used to prepare a dual-functional phosphorescent probe for the detection of Cu²⁺ ion and pH.

Methods

The ligand (E)-6-((thiazol-2-yl methylene)amino)-1,10-phenanthrolin-5-amine (tmpa) was prepared by condensation of 5,6-diamine-1, 10-phenanthroline with 2-formylthiazole, and then ruthenium(II) complex [Ru(bpy)₂tmpa](PF₆) (Ru-tmpa, bpy ​= ​2,2′-bipyridine) was synthesized by the coordination of tmpa with cis-Ru(bpy)₂Cl₂. Phosphorescence spectra were measured to investigate its response to metal ions (Li⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺, Mn²⁺, Pb²⁺, Cr²⁺, Co²⁺, Ni²⁺, Cu⁺, Cu²⁺, Fe³⁺, Fe²⁺ and Zn²⁺). The binding affinity and detecting limit of Ru-tmpa to copper ions were tested by titration experiment. The ability of the probe to monitor copper ion levels inside cells was tested by confocal microscopy imaging.

Results

Ru-tmpa can rapidly, sensitively and selectively detect Cu²⁺ in water and biological sample, and shows a sensitive phosphorescence response to pH. Ru-tmpa can penetrate cell membrane, enter the cell, and monitor the level of copper ions inside cell.

Conclusion

A novel fluorescent probe Ru-tmpa was synthesized to provide a powerful tool for the detection of Cu²⁺ and pH in biological and environmental systems.

Computing technology plays a crucial role in the field of drug discovery and development. With the rapid development of genomics and the improvement of databases, the application of genomics-based tools is important in drug discovery and development. These tools can deeply explore the information in gene expression profile databases, revealing the connections and interactions between drugs, diseases and genes, and providing strong support for drug discovery and development. This paper introduces various significant genomics-based tools for drug discovery and development, discusses the advantages of deep learning and artificial intelligence in utilizing large-scale genomic data, and reveals the development trends and future prospects of drug genomics tools. The continuous progress of these tools will provide more accurate and efficient support for drug discovery and development.

Objectives

Croton Crassifolius Geisel of the genus Croton in the Euphorbia family is a widely distributed herb in South China. It has medicinal value for the treatment of a sore throat, soothing tendons, activating collateral, and treating rheumatoid arthritis. Although it has been traditionally used in Chinese medicine, there has been no systematic study on its identification and classification of the authenticity of this plant. The purpose of this study is to provide a scientific basis for the identification and classification of the authenticity of this plant.

Methods

An accurate and effective identification system was established through morphological characteristics, microscopic characteristics, physical and chemical parameter determination, phytochemical screening, and DNA barcoding analysis.

Results

The physicochemical results revealed that this plant might contain flavonoids, cardiac glycosides, and alkaloids. The ITS locus in the nuclear genome in the chloroplast genome was screened and evaluated and Neighbor-Joining phylogenetic trees can effectively identify Croton Crassifolius Geisel to a certain extent.

Conclusion

This research contributed to the development of species identification.

A diabetic foot ulcer is defined as the ulceration of tissues brought on by trauma and some peripheral neurological abnormalities, primarily as a result of the bacterial infection. The infection of the toe's surrounding tissue is the primary cause of the infectious diabetic toe ulcer. In this case report, a 58-year-old male patient with a deep foot ulcer was admitted to the emergency ward on October 15, 2022, due to pus discharge at the right big toe of the foot. Antibiotics like Vancomycin 30mg per kg twice per day and Ciprofloxacin 400mg twice per day were suggested, along with enzymatic debridement therapy, which helps stop infections faster. A decrease in wound size and an improvement in overall health showed that the patient's response to the combination therapy was encouraging. The use of collagenase-santyl dressings, along with suitable antibiotics, can play a crucial role in the successful treatment of foot ulcers by facilitating wound healing and preventing complications like cellulitis or osteomyelitis.

Objective

This study aimed to observe the inhibitory effects of xiaochaihu decoction (XCHD) on human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells resistant to 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) (Bel-7402/5-FU) in vitro and in vivo and investigate its possible mechanisms.

Methods

Bel-7402 ​cells and their resistant cells to 5-FU (Bel-7402/5-FU) were cultured, and a xenograft was established in nude mice. MTT assays were used to detect the cell viability after XCHD treatment, and an inverted phase contrast microscope was used to observe the morphology and flow cytometry and TUNEL assays were used to determine XCHD-induced apoptosis. Western blot was used to detect Bax and Bcl-2 expressions. Cyto-ID staining was used to assess XCHD-induced autophagy, and the autophagy-related protein (LC3, p62, and beclin) was determined. Finally, the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway was detected.

Results

Bel-7402/5-FU cells were more resistant to 5-FU compared with Bel-7402 ​cells (P ​< ​0.05), thus XCHD could inhibit the viability of Bel-7402/5-FU cells. Further, XCHD promoted Bel-7402/5-FU cell apoptosis via inducing Bax expression and deducing Bcl-2 expression in vitro and in vivo. Similarly, XCHD promoted autophagy of Bel-7402/5-FU cells by regulating related protein expression. Finally, XCHD blocked the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway.

Conclusion

XCHD induces Bel-7402/5-FU cell apoptosis and autophagy via blocking the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway which is one of the important mechanisms by which XCHD reverses the multidrug resistance of HCC.