The multi-herbal decoction SH003 alleviates LPS-induced acute lung injury by targeting inflammasome and extracellular traps in neutrophils.

BACKGROUND: Acute lung injury (ALI) is a devastating condition caused by sepsis, pneumonia, trauma, and more recently, COVID-19. SH003, an herbal formula consisted of Astragalus membranaceus, Angelica gigas and Trichosanthes kirilowii, is known for its effects on cancer and immunoregulation. HYPOTHESIS/PURPOSE: Previous studies show SH003 exerts a promising anti-inflammatory effect. This study investigates the effect of modified SH003 on ALI using in silico, in vivo, and in vitro models. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: We performed in silico-based analysis of SH003 on ALI-related pathways. C57BL/6 mice were intraperitoneally subjected to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to induce septic ALI, followed by oral administration of SH003 for 2 weeks. Dexamethasone was used as the positive control. Human peripheral blood-derived polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) were used to investigate the effect and mechanisms of SH003 on neutrophil extracellular trap (NET) formation. RESULTS: Network pharmacology analysis suggested SH003 regulates lung inflammation by modulating NET formation. SH003 significantly reduced mortality in sepsis in vivo by inhibiting local and systemic inflammation, likely via nuclear factor kappa B and mitogen-activated protein kinase pathways-mediated inflammasome suppression. SH003 also decreased NET-related markers in lung tissues and inhibited LPS- and phorbol myristate acetate-induced NET formation in PMN. Cytometry time-of-flight analysis confirmed regulation of NETosis-related pathways by SH003. CONCLUSION: SH003 effectively inhibits excessive immune responses in the lung by suppressing inflammasome activation and NET formation. These findings suggest SH003 as a potential therapeutic agent for septic ALI.

Bee venom acupuncture and herbal medicine for hand eczema: Two case reports and an in vivo study.

INTRODUCTION: Eczema and contact dermatitis are relatively common, non-life-threatening disease, but can reduce the patient's quality-of-life when it becomes chronic. This study describes two cases of bee venom acupuncture (BVA) and herbal medicine (San Wu Huangqin decoction; SWH) co-treatment for hand eczema and contact dermatitis, then confirms the effect of the combination therapy in an in vivo model of eczema. CASE PRESENTATION: A 56-year-old female (case 1) and a 33-year-old male (case 2) presented to the clinic with symptoms of itching and erythema (case 1), and scaliness (case 2) on both hands. Both were diagnosed with hand eczema and contact dermatitis based on examination of the erythema and scaliness. They were treated with BVA and SWH for three months. The lesions were healed and had not recurred after 1 and 3 years of follow-up. A mouse study was conducted by repeated application of 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB) to induce eczema-like contact dermatitis in Balb/c mice. In a DNCB-induced eczema-like contact dermatitis model, BVA and SWH co-administration synergistically improved clinical symptoms seen in eczema. Also, they improved histological changes of the skin, suppressed immune cell infiltration, and decreased inflammatory cytokines and immunoglobulin E in the serum. CONCLUSION: This study suggests BVA and SWH could be an alternative treatment for eczema and contact dermatitis.

Immune-Enhancing Effect of Sargassum horneri on Cyclophosphamide-Induced Immunosuppression in BALB/c Mice and Primary Cultured Splenocytes.

Sargassum horneri (SH) is a seaweed that has several features that benefit health. In this study, we investigated the immune-enhancing effect of SH, focusing on the role of spleen-mediated immune functions. Chromatographic analysis of SH identified six types of monosaccharide contents, including mannose, rhamnose glucose, galactose xylose and fucose. SH increased cell proliferation of primary cultured naïve splenocytes treated with or without cyclophosphamide (CPA), an immunosuppression agent. SH also reversed the CPA-induced decrease in Th1 cytokines. In vivo investigation revealed that SH administration can increase the tissue weight of major immune organs, such as the spleen and thymus. A similar effect was observed in CPA-injected immunosuppressed BALB/c mice. SH treatment increased the weight of the spleen and thymus, blood immune cell count and Th1 cytokine expression. Additionally, the YAC-1-targeting activities of natural killer cells, which are important in innate immunity, were upregulated upon SH treatment. Overall, our study demonstrates the immune-enhancing effect of SH, suggesting its potential as a medicinal or therapeutic agent for pathologic conditions involving immunosuppression.

Anmyungambi Decoction Ameliorates Obesity through Activation of Non-Shivering Thermogenesis in Brown and White Adipose Tissues.

Obesity is a burden to global health. Non-shivering thermogenesis of brown adipose tissue (BAT) and white adipose tissue (WAT) is a novel strategy for obesity treatment. Anmyungambi (AMGB) decoction is a multi-herb decoction with clinical anti-obesity effects. Here, we show the effects of AMGB decoction using high-fat diet (HFD)-fed C57BL6/J mice. All four versions of AMGB decoction (100 mg/kg/day, oral gavage for 28 days) suppressed body weight gain and obesity-related blood parameters in the HFD-fed obese mice. They also inhibited adipogenesis and induced lipolysis in inguinal WAT (iWAT). Especially, the AMGB-4 with 2:1:3:3 composition was the most effective; thus, further studies were performed with the AMGB-4 decoction. The AMGB-4 decoction displayed a dose-dependent body weight gain suppression. Serum triglyceride, total cholesterol, and blood glucose decreased as well. In epididymal WAT, iWAT, and BAT, the AMGB-4 decoction increased lipolysis markers. Additionally, the AMGB-4 decoction-fed mice showed an increased non-shivering thermogenic program in BAT and iWAT. Excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) and suppressed antioxidative factors induced by the HFD feeding were also altered to normal levels by the AMGB-4 decoction treatment. Overall, our study supports the clinical use of AMGB decoction for obesity treatment by studying its mechanisms. AMGB decoction alleviates obesity through the activation of the lipolysis-thermogenesis program and the elimination of pathological ROS in thermogenic adipose tissues.