Characteristics and comparative study of medicinal materials between China and India based on data mining from literatures.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: China and India have unique traditional medicine systems with vast territory and rich medical resources. Traditional medicines in China include traditional Chinese medicine, Tibetan medicine, Mongolian medicine, Uyghur medicine, Dai medicine, etc. In the third national survey of Chinese medicine resources, 12694 medicinal materials were identified. Traditional medicines in India include Ayurveda, Unani, Siddha, Homoeopathy, etc. There are 7263 medicinal materials in India. AIM OF THE STUDY: To reveal the characteristics of medicinal materials between China and India respectively, and to compare the similarities and differences in terms of properties, tastes, medicinal parts and therapeutic uses and to promote the exchange of traditional medicine between China and India and the international trade of traditional medicine industry. METHODS: The information of medicinal materials between China and India was extracted from The Chinese Traditional Medicine Resource Records and Pharmacopoeia of the People's Republic of China, as well as from 71 Indian herbal monographs. The information of each medicinal material, such as types, families, genera, properties, distribution, medicinal parts, efficacy, therapeutic uses, dosage form and dosage, was recorded in Excel for statistical analysis and visual comparison. RESULTS: A total of 12694 medicinal materials in China and 5362 medicinal materials in India were identified. The medicinal materials were mostly distributed in Southwest China and northern India. Plants were the main sources of medicinal materials. The common medicinal parts in China were whole medicinal materials, roots and rhizomes, and India used more renewable fruits, seeds and leaves. They are commonly used in the treatment of digestive system diseases. There were 1048 medicinal materials used by both China and India, which were distributed in 188 families and 685 genera. The Chinese and Indian pharmacopoeias had a total of 80 species of medicinal materials used by both China and India. CONCLUSIONS: The characteristics of medicinal materials between China and India were somewhat different, which was conducive to provide a reference basis for traditional medicine in China or India to increase the medicinal parts and indications when using a certain medicinal material, as well as to expand the source of medicine and introduce new resources. However, there were certain similarities and shared medicinal materials, which can tap the potential of bilateral trade of medicinal materials between China and India, so as to promote the medical cultural exchange and economic and trade cooperation between the two countries.

Optimized Antimicrobial Peptide Jelleine-I Derivative Br-J-I Inhibits Fusobacterium Nucleatum to Suppress Colorectal Cancer Progression.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a major health burden worldwide due to its high morbidity, mortality, and complex etiology. Fusobacterium nucleatum (Fn), a Gram-negative anaerobe found in 30% of CRC patients, promotes CRC carcinogenesis, metastasis, and chemoresistance. Effective antimicrobial treatment is an unmet need for the rising CRC burden. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) represent a new class of antimicrobial drugs. In our previous study, we did the structure-activity study of Jelleine-I (J-I) and identified several halogenated J-I derivatives Cl-J-I, Br-J-I, and I-J-I. To determine whether those J-I derivatives can be a new therapy for bacterial-associated CRC, here we tested the antibacterial activities of these AMPs against Fn and their effects on CRC development. We found that Br-J-I showed the highest anti-Fn activity and Br-J-I may target membrane-associated FadA for Fn membrane disruption. More importantly, Fn promoted the growth of CRC cells-derived xenograft tumors. Br-J-I suppressed Fn load, colon inflammation, and Fn-induced CRC growth. Of note, Br-J-I induced better anti-CRC effects than common antibiotic metronidazole and Br-J-I sensitized the cancer-killing effect of chemotherapy drug 5-fluorouracil. These results suggest that Br-J-I could be considered as an adjunctive agent for CRC treatment and AMPs-based combination treatment is a new strategy for CRC in the future.

Sodium New Houttuyfonate Inhibits Cancer-Promoting Fusobacterium nucleatum (Fn) to Reduce Colorectal Cancer Progression.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Recent studies showed that the common anaerobe Fusobacterium nucleatum (Fn) is closely associated with a higher risk for carcinogenesis, metastasis, and chemoresistance of CRC. However, there is no specific antimicrobial therapy for CRC treatment. Herbal medicine has a long history of treating diseases with remarkable effects and is attracting extensive attention. In this study, we tested six common phytochemicals for their antimicrobial activities against Fn and whether anti-Fn phytochemicals can modulate CRC development associated with Fn. Among these antimicrobials, we found that SNH showed the highest antimicrobial activity and little cytotoxicity toward cancer cells and normal cells in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, SNH may target membrane-associated FadA, leading to FadA oligomerization, membrane fragmentation and permeabilization. More importantly, SNH blocked the tumor-promoting activity of Fn and Fn-associated cancer-driven inflammation, thus improving the intestinal barrier damaged by Fn. SNH reduced Fn load in the CRC-cells-derived mice xenografts with Fn inoculation and significantly inhibited CRC progression. Our data suggest that SNH could be used for an antimicrobial therapy that inhibits Fn and cancer-driven inflammation of CRC. Our results provide an important foundation for future gut microbiota-targeted clinical treatment of CRC.

Catalpol Attenuates Pulmonary Fibrosis by Inhibiting Ang II/AT1 and TGF-ß/Smad-Mediated Epithelial Mesenchymal Transition.

Background: Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a progressive and devastating chronic lung condition affecting over 3 million people worldwide with a high mortality rate and there are no effective drugs. Angiotensin II (Ang II), as a major effector peptide of the renin angiotensin aldosterone system, has been shown to act in tandem with the transforming growth factor-ß (TGF-ß) signaling pathway to promote the infiltration of inflammatory cells, production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and profibrotic factors after lung injury, and to participate in the process of epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT). Catalpol (CAT) has been shown to have anti-inflammatory and antifibrotic effects. However, the effects and mechanisms of CAT on pulmonary fibrosis are not clear. Purpose: To assess the effects and mechanisms of catalpol on bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis in mice. Methods: We used bleomycin-induced mouse model of pulmonary fibrosis to evaluate the alleviation effect of CAT at 7, 14, 28d, respectively. Next, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, hematoxylin-eosin staining, immunofluorescence, Masson trichrome staining and western blotting were used to study the underlying mechanism of CAT on bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis. Results: It's demonstrated that CAT exerted a potent anti-fibrotic function in BLM-induced mice pulmonary fibrosis via alleviating inflammatory, ameliorating collagen deposition, reducing the level of Ang II and HYP and alleviating the degree of EMT. Moreover, CAT attenuate BLM-induced fibrosis by targeting Ang II/AT1 and TGF-ß/Smad signaling in vivo. Conclusion: CAT may serve as a novel therapeutic candidate for the simultaneous blockade of Ang II and TGF-ß pathway to attenuate pulmonary fibrosis.

Exploring the Anti-Pulmonary Fibrosis Mechanism of Jingyin Granule by Network Pharmacology Strategy.

Pulmonary fibrosis (PF) is a clinically common disease caused by many factors, which will lead to lung function decline and even respiratory failure. Jingyin granule has been confirmed to have anti-inflammatory and antiviral effects by former studies, and has been recommended for combating H1N1 influenza A virus (H1N1) infection and Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in China. At present, studies have shown that patients with severe COVID-19 infection developed lung fibrotic lesions. Although Jingyin granule can improve symptoms in COVID-19 patients, no study has yet reported whether it can attenuate the process of PF. Here, we explored the underlying mechanism of Jingyin granule against PF by network pharmacology combined with in vitro experimental validation. In the present study, the active ingredients as well as the corresponding action targets of Jingyin granule were firstly collected by TCMSP and literature data, and the disease target genes of PF were retrieved by disease database. Then, the common targets were subjected to Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses, and then a PPI network and an ingredient-target network were constructed. Next, UPLC-MS was used to isolate and identify selected representative components in Jingyin granule. Finally, LPS was used to induce the A549 cell fibrosis model to verify the anti-PF effect of Jingyin granule in vitro. Our results indicated that STAT3, JUN, RELA, MAPK3, TNF, MAPK1, IL-6, and AKT1 were core targets of action and bound with good affinity to selected components, and Jingyin granule may alleviate PF progression by Janus kinase 2/signal transducers and activators of transcription (JAK2/STAT3), the mammalian nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt), tumor necrosis factor (TNF), and the extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1 and 2 (ERK1/2) signaling pathways. Overall, these results provide future therapeutic strategies into the mechanism study of Jingyin granule on PF.

Evaluating the Therapeutic Mechanisms of Selected Active Compounds in Houttuynia cordata Thunb. in Pulmonary Fibrosis via Network Pharmacology Analysis.

Pulmonary fibrosis, a common outcome of pulmonary interstitial disease of various different etiologies, is one of the most important causes of respiratory failure. Houttuynia cordata Thunb. (family: Saururaceae) (H. cordata), as has been reported, is a Chinese herbal medicine commonly used to treat upper respiratory tract infection and bronchitis. Our previous study has proven that sodium houttuyfonate (an additional compound from sodium bisulfite and houttuynin) had beneficial effects in the prevention of pulmonary fibrosis (PF) induced by bleomycin (BLM) in mice. In the present study, network pharmacology was used to investigate the efficiency and potential mechanisms of H. cordata in PF treatment. Upon manual collection from the literature and databases such as TCMSP and TCM-ID, 10 known representative ingredients of H. cordata species were screened. Then, the prediction of the potential active ingredients, action targets, and signaling pathways were conducted through the Gene Ontology (GO), protein-protein interaction (PPI),and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses. The results of network pharmacology prediction suggested that H. cordata may act through multiple signaling pathways to alleviate PF, including the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-protein kinase B (PI3K/AKT) pathways, mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways, the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) pathways, and interleukin-17 (IL-17) signaling pathways. Molecular docking experiments showed that the chemical constituents of H. cordata had good affinity with TNF, MAPK1, and AKT1, and using lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced A549 cells, a model was established to verify the anti-pulmonary fibrosis effects and related mechanisms of H. cordata-relevant constituents. Finally, these evidences collectively suggest H. cordata may alleviate PF progression via PI3K/Akt, MAPK, and TNF signaling pathways and provide novel insights to verify the mechanism of H. cordata in the treatment of PF.

Sodium Houttuyfonate Inhibits Bleomycin Induced Pulmonary Fibrosis in Mice.

Pulmonary fibrosis (PF) could severely disrupt the normal lung architecture and function with fatal consequences. Currently, there is no effective treatment for PF or idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of Sodium Houttuyfonate (SH) on bleomycin (BLM) induced PF mice model. Our results indicated that SH could attenuate BLM induced lung injury by reducing the inflammation, fibrogenesis and lung/body weight ratio. The proposed mechanisms for the protective effects of SH include: 1) improvement of pulmonary function in BLM mice, for instance, it can elevate the vital capacity (VC), increase the forced expiratory flow at 50% of forced vital capacity (FEF50) and improve other pulmonary function indices; 2) inhibition of collagen formation in BLM mice; 3) attenuation of the elevation of inflammatory cytokines, such as interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß), IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), which are triggered by BLM administration; 4) reduction of the mRNA level and protein production of transforming growth factor-ß1 (TGF-ß1) in BLM mice. Furthermore, it was found that the protective effects of SH against BLM induced PF in mice was comparable to that of prednisone acetate (PA) tablets, a widely used drug for immunological diseases. Although Houttuynia Cordata Thunb has been widely used in China for lung infection and inflammation, the mechanism has not yet been fully elucidated. Our study provides the evidence that SH is an effective compound against pulmonary injury, irritation and fibrogenesis.

Suppression of miR-21 and miR-155 of macrophage by cinnamaldehyde ameliorates ulcerative colitis.

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a major form of inflammatory bowel disease which involved mucosal immune dysfunction. Cinnamaldehyde (CA) is major active compound from cinnamon, a useful traditional medicine in Asia which shows superior antibacterial and anti-inflammatory activity. In this study, we investigated the effects of CA on UC both in vivo and in vitro. We showed that CA attenuated the symptoms of DSS-induced colitis, including loss of body weights, disease activity index (DAI), shortening of the colon lengths and infiltration of inflammatory cells. Moreover, CA decreased the pro-inflammatory cytokines and NLRP3 inflammasome, miR-21 and miR-155 in colon tissues, in addition, the percentage of macrophages was reduced based on the surface marker F4/80 and IL-10 secretion in CA-treated group, suggesting that the CA ameliorate the UC via activation of macrophage. Herein, the effects of CA on macrophage cells were examined in vitro. We found that CA reduced the level of proinflammatory cytokines, such as TNF-α, IL-1ß, IL-6, in the activation of RAW264.7, human macrophage-like cells U937, and primary peritoneal macrophages. Furthermore, the suppression of NLRP3 inflammasome, miR-21 and miR-155 was also found in CA-treated LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells. CA also reduced the production of reactive oxygen species, the phosphorylation of AKT, mTOR and COX2 protein level in the RAW264.7. Meanwhile, data revealed that transferred miR-21 or miR-155 inhibitor suppressed levels of IL-1ß and IL-6, whereas miR-21 or miR-155 mimics increased expressions of these, and CA suppressed these expressions. Our results indicate that CA could ameliorate DSS-induced colitis through inhibition of NLRP3 inflammasome activation and miR-21 and miR-155 levels in colons and macrophage, suggesting that CA might be a potentially effective drug for UC.

Molecularly Imprinted Polymers for Selective Extraction of Oblongifolin C from Garcinia yunnanensis Hu.

Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) were synthesized and applied for the selective extraction of oblongifolin C (OC) from fruit extracts of Garcinia yunnanensis Hu. A series of experiments and computational approaches were employed to improve the efficiency of screening for optimal MIP systems in the study. The molar ratio (1:4) was eventually chosen based on the comparison of the binding energy of the complexes between the template (OC) and the functional monomers using density functional theory (DFT) at the RI-PBE-D3-gCP/def2-TZVP level of theory. The binding characterization and the molecular recognition mechanism of MIPs were further explained using the molecular modeling method along with NMR and IR spectra data. The reusability of this approach was demonstrated in over 20 batch rebinding experiments. A mass of 140.5 mg of OC (>95% purity) was obtained from the 5 g extracts, with 2 g of MIPs with the best binding properties, through a gradient elution program from 35% to 70% methanol-water solution. At the same time, another structural analog, 46.5 mg of guttiferone K (GK) (>88% purity), was also obtained by the gradient elution procedure. Our results showed that the structural analogs could be separated from the crude extracts by the molecularly imprinted solid-phase extraction (MISPE) using a gradient elution procedure for the first time.

Relationships between pharmacokinetics and efficacy of Xie-xin decoction in rats with experimental ulcerative colitis.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Xie-xin decoction (XXD) has been used as a classic formula in China for the treatment of gastrointestinal dysfunction such as ulcerative colitis (UC). However, no potential action mechanisms and active compounds had been systematically investigated. AIM OF THE STUDY: To explore the effectiveness and the material basis of XXD in trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS)-induced UC rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: XXD was administered orally for 8 days at a dosage of 2 or 4g/kg/day. Plasma pharmacokinetic properties and colon tissue concentrations of multiple compounds from XXD were detected. Tissue damage scores, production of interleukin (IL)-10 and myeloperoxidase (MPO), expression of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and nuclear factor-kappa Bp65 (NF-κBp65) in colon tissues were examined. Canonical correlation analysis was performed to evaluate the relationships between pharmacokinetics and efficacy to elucidate significantly active compounds of XXD. RESULTS: XXD promoted the recovery of colitis and inhibited the colonic inflammation damage in UC rats by reducing the level of MPO and the expression of TNF-α and NF-κBp65, and increasing the production of IL-10 in colon tissues. Efficacy of XXD was positively related with AUC of five plasma compounds (baicalin, berberine, wogonoside, wogonin, and rhein) and concentrations of six colon tissue compounds (coptisine, jatrorrhizine, palmatine, berberine, baicalein and emodin), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The multiple compounds in plasma and colon tissues from XXD might be the main material basis for therapeutic potentials in UC rats.

[Influence of Tinglizi on collagen volume fraction and perivascular collagen area in left ventricle tissue of cardiac hypertrophy induced by abdominal aortic banding in rats].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the influence of Tinglizi on collagen volume fraction (CVF) and perivascular collagen volume area (PVCA ) in left ventricle tissue of cardiac hypertrophy induced by abdominal aortic banding in rats. METHOD: Ventricular remodeling was induced by abdominal aortic banding (AAB) in rats. After 30 day treatment, the systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP); heart rate (HR) were measured. The histological assay consisted of the HE stain for determining the myo-cardium cell cross section and collagen stain (Van Gieson' method) for determining collagen content, including collagen volume fracton (CVF) and perivascular collagen volume area (PVCA). RESULT: The experimental data demonstrated that Tinglizi decreased SBP, DBP, HR and could significantly reduce the total collagen content (CVF, PVCA) and lessen the myocardium cell cross section (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Tinglizi may decrease the total collagen content of ventricle and attenuate the ventricular remodeling induced by abdominal aortic banding.

[Semen descurainiae inhibits CYP11B1, CYP11B2 and TGF-beta1 mRNA expression in left ventricular].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of Semen descurainiae and Captopril on CYP11B1, CYP11B2 and TGF-beta1 mRNA expression of heart tissue in rats treated with Abdominal Aortic Banding. METHODS: Ventricular remodeling was induced by abdominal aortic banding (AAB) in rats. After 30 days' treatment, the ratios of LVW/BW (left ventricle weight/body weight), HW/BW (heart weight/body weight) were calculated; Then the CYP11B, CYP11B2 and TGF-beta1 mRNA expression of left ventricle were detected by Real-time PCR, respectively. RESULTS: The experimental data demonstrated that Semen descurainiae decreased the indexes of LVW/BW and HW/BW, down-regulated CYP11B, CYP11B2 and TGF-beta1 mRNA expression in left ventricle (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Semen desceurainiae can significantly inhibit the experimental ventricular remodeling; the mechanism is related to its ability to attenuate the mRNA expression of CYP11B1, CYP11B2 and TGF-beta1 in left ventricle. The inhibition of aldosterone key gene expression by Semen descurainiae may contribute to its effect on restraint cardiac remodeling.

[Experimental research of Shuanghuang Shengbai granule on hematopoietic cells of leucopenia model mice].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the leukogenic function of Shuanghuang Shengbai (SHSB) granule and the related mechanisms. METHOD: Mouse leukopenic models were induced by radiation. Mice were divided into normal control group, model control group, positive control group-Li kejun tablet group and three different dose (high, middle, low-dose) groups of SHSB granule. The peripheral hemogram, thymus index (TI), spleen index (SI), bone marrow nucleated cell (BMNC) and colony forming unit-spleen (CFU-S) were evaluated. The proliferation of bone marrow cells was determined. The in vitro cultured colony forming unit granulocyte macrophage (CFU-GM) was estimated. The index of CD34+ cell in BMNC were determined by flow cytometry. The ultra-micro structure of bone marrow were observed by electromicroscope. RESULT: (1)SHSB rranule could increase the WBC of model mice; (2)SHSB granule could increase BMNC and promote the proliferation of bone marrow cell; (3)SHSB granule could increase CFU-S, CFU-GM and CD34+ cell index in BMNC of model mice significantly; (4)SHSB Granule could also protect the bone marrow hemotopoietic microenvironment from the harm of radiation; (5)SHSB granule could increase the SI of model mice, indicating the enhancement of immunological function. CONCLUSION: SHSB granule has apparent leukogenic function. The mechanism may be related to enhancing the proliferation of hematopoietic cells and protecting the bone marrow hemotopoietic microenvironment.

[Effect of Shuanghuang Shengbai granule on radiotherapy or chemotherapy induced leukopenia in mice].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of Shuanghuang Shengbai granule on mice leukopenia induced by ip cyclophosphamide (CTX) or radiation. METHOD: Mice leukopenia models were induced by ip CTX or radiation, and then treated with Shuanghuang Shengbai granule per oral. The peripheral hemogram, thymus index, spleen index, bone marrow nucleated cell (BMNC) and colony forming unit-spleen (CFU-S) were detected. The bone marrow cell differentiation was examined. The pathological slices of bone marrow were observed. RESULT: Shuanghuang Shengbai granule could increase the WBC, BMNC, CFU-S of model mice significantly; Shuanghuang Shengbai granule could make the granulocyte and erythrocyte index recovered to normal level and it could also protect the bone marrow hemotopoietic microenvironment from the harm of radiation. CONCLUSION: Shuanghuang Shengbai granule has apparent leukogenic function.

[The bioactivity of angiotensin II and the effects of related Chinese Herbs].

OBJECTIVE: To review the bioactivity of angiotensin II and the effects of Chinese herbs on it. METHOD: The correlative documents published in recent years were summarized. RESULT: Angiotensin II plays an important role in the development of many diseases, such as hypertension, arteriosclerosis, myocardial lesion due to ischemia and reperfusion, cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis, dysfunction of fibrinolytic system, thrombosis, renal failure etc. Some Chinese herbs inhibit the actions of angiotensin II. CONCLUSION: Further researches must be done to investigate the bioactivity of angiotensin II and the effects of Chinese herbs on preventing the body tissue from being impaired by it.