The therapeutic potential of Ziziphi Spinosae Semen and Polygalae Radix in insomnia management: Insights from gut microbiota and serum metabolomics techniques.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Ziziphi Spinosae Semen and Polygalae Radix (ZSS-PR) constitute a traditional Chinese herbal combination with notable applications in clinical and experimental settings due to their evident sedative and calming effects. Aligned with traditional Chinese medicine principles, Ziziphi Spinosae Semen supports cardiovascular health, nourishes the liver, and induces mental tranquillity. Simultaneously, Polygalae Radix elicits calming effects, fosters clear thinking, and reinstates proper coordination between the heart and kidneys. ZSS-PR is commonly employed as a therapeutic intervention for various insomnia types, demonstrating distinct clinical efficacy. Our previous study findings provide evidence that ZSS-PR administration significantly reduces sleep onset latency, increases overall sleep duration, and improves abnormal neurotransmitter levels in a murine insomnia model. AIM OF STUDY: This investigation aimed to scrutinize the intrinsic regulatory mechanism of ZSS-PR in managing insomnia using gut microbiota and serum metabolomics techniques. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Mice were given DL-4-Chlorophenylalanine to induce insomnia and then treated with ZSS-PR. The open-field test assessed the animals' spontaneous activity. Concentrations of neurotransmitters, endocrine hormones, and cytokines in the duodenum were measured using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay, and brain histopathology was evaluated with H&E staining. The impact of ZSS-PR on the metabolic profile was examined by liquid chromatography couped to high resolution mass spectrometry, and 16S rDNA sequencing was used to study the influence of ZSS-PR on the gut microbiota. Additionally, the content of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) was analyzed by GC-MS. Finally, correlation analysis investigated relationships between biochemical markers, metabolites, SCFAs, and gut microbiota. RESULTS: ZSS-PR treatment significantly increased movement time and distance in mice with insomnia and improved pathological impairments in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus. It also restored abnormal levels of biochemical markers in the gut of insomnia-afflicted mice, including 5-hydroxytryptamine, dopamine, gastrin, melatonin, tumour necrosis factor-α, and interleukin-1ß. Metabolomics findings showed that ZSS-PR had a significant restorative effect on 15 endogenous metabolites in mice with insomnia. Furthermore, ZSS-PR primarily influenced five metabolic pathways, such as phenylalanine, tyrosine, and tryptophan biosynthesis, glutamine, and glutamate metabolism. Additionally, gut microbiota analysis revealed notable alterations in both diversity and microbial composition after ZSS-PR treatment. These changes were primarily attributed to the relative abundances of microbiota, including Firmicutes, Bacteroidota, Fusobacteriota, Muribaculaceae_unclassified, and Ligilactobacillus. The results of SCFAs analysis demonstrated that ZSS-PR effectively restored abnormal levels of acetic acid, propionic acid, isobutyric acid, butyric acid, isovaleric acid, and valeric acid in insomniac mice. Subsequent correlation analysis revealed that microbiota show obvious correlations with both biochemical markers and metabolites. CONCLUSIONS: The results provide compelling evidence that ZSS-PR effectively mitigates abnormal activity, reduces cerebral pathological changes, and restores abnormal levels of neurotransmitters, endocrine hormones, and cytokines in mice with insomnia. The underlying mechanism is intricately linked to the modulation of gut microbiota and endogenous metabolic pathways.

Glycosides constituents from Codonopsis pilosula.

A new glycoside (1) along with six known analogues (1-7) were isolated from Codonopsis pilosula collected at Shanxi in China. The structure of 1 was established based on comprehensive spectroscopic data and literature comparison. The anti-inflammatory effects of isolated compounds were further investigated in LPS-induced RAW264.7 macrophage.

Two New Amides from Physochlainae Radix.

In this article, two undescribed amides (1-2) with an unusual (2-formyl-5-hydroxymethyl)pyrroyl-butylamine moiety were obtained from the Physochlainae Radix. Comprehensive spectroscopic studies, including NMR and HR-ESI-MS, coupling with spectroscopic data comparisons were used to determine structures. Anti-inflammatory assay results showed that new amides possessed significant inhibitory activities of the NO production of LPS-induced RAW 264.7 cells, with IC50 values of 17.52±1.68 µM and 20.37±2.42 µM, respectively.

The Chemical Constituents of Diaphragma Juglandis Fructus and Their Inhibitory Effect on α-Glucosidase Activity.

In our current investigation, 37 constituents (1-37), including 11 megastigmanes (1-11), 17 flavonoids (12-28) and 9 phenylpropanoids (29-37), were isolated from a 70%-EtOH extract of Diaphragma juglandis Fructus. Among them, compounds 1-3, 12 and 29 were new compounds and their structures were elucidated on the basis of physicochemical evidence and meticulous spectroscopic analysis (NMR, HRESIMS and CD). Compounds 13, 16, 21 and 28 showed moderate inhibitory effect on α-glycosidase inhibitory activities, with IC50 values being in the range of 29.47-54.82 µM and stronger than the positive control (acarbose, 60.01 ± 4.82 µM).

Seven new glycosides from the leaves of Datura metel L.

Seven new glycosides (1-7) and seventeen known analogues (8-24) were isolated from the leaves of Datura metel L. The structures of these compounds were all elucidated by detailed spectroscopic analyses and comparison with literature values. All isolates were evaluated for cytotoxicity against Hela, MGC-803, Ishikawa cell lines and compounds 6, 7, 14-17 and 24 exhibited different degrees of antiproliferative effects.

Chemical constituents from the aerial part of Polygala tenuifolia.

Three new compounds, polygalapyrone A (1), tenuiside G (2) and polygalapyrrole A (3), together with two known compounds (4-5) were isolated by silica gel, ODS and preparative HPLC from the aerial part of Polygala tenuifolia. Their structures were elucidated by spectrum analysis and compared with findings from the literature. The anti-inflammatory effects of those compounds were investigated in vitro.

Sol-gel-derived hard coatings from tetraethoxysilane and organoalkoxysilanes bearing zwitterionic and isothiazolinone groups and their antifouling behaviors.

Current environmentally friendly marine antifouling (AF) coatings are mainly polymeric with a relatively low hardness. Hard sol-gel-derived AF coatings for underwater robot-cleaning are seldom used. In this work, two new organoalkoxysilanes, i.e., (N-methoxyacylethyl)-3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane and 2-(2-hydroxy-3-(3-(trimethoxysilyl)propoxy)propyl)benzo[d]isothiazol-3(2H)-one, were synthesized by a facile method. These two precursors were used with tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) to produce three series of hybrid AF coatings with zwitterionic group (Z-χ), antibacterial group (1,2-benzisothiazolin-3-one) (A-χ) and zwitterionic and antibacterial groups (S-χ) by a sol-gel process. The hardness of the coatings was measured using a pencil hardness tester and the AF behaviors of the coatings were examined by laboratory and field assays. A pencil hardness up to 5 H was achieved and slight deterioration was observed after 9 months of immersion in artificial seawater for the A-χ and S-χ coatings at a sufficiently high TEOS content. A synergistic effect between the zwitterion and antimicrobial agents existed but was not obvious. A higher TEOS content led to a higher hardness and better AF performance regardless of the type of AF group. Even with the same biofilm formation after field assay, coatings with a higher TEOS content exhibited a better resistance to mussel settlement.

Seven undescribed steroids from the leaves of Datura metel L.

Extraction of Datura metel L. leaves with ethanol as a solvent gave a group of steroids, including two unique 1,10-seco-withanolides (1, 4), an unusual nitrogen-containing withanolides (2), one undescribed saponin (3), two withanolides with a carbohydrate (5, 6), and one C21 steroid (7). These compounds' structures were identified based on HR-ESI-MS and 1H, 13C NMR data analyses, also compared with data from the document. Some compounds showed moderate inhibition on NO production in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells.

Spleen and thymus metabolomics strategy to explore the immunoregulatory mechanism of total withanolides from the leaves of Datura metel L. on imiquimod-induced psoriatic skin dermatitis in mice.

Our previous work demonstrated that total withanolides of Datura metel L. leaves (TWD) exhibited excellent therapeutic effects on psoriasis. However, current knowledge of its mechanisms is incomplete. In this study, integrated spleen and thymus untargeted metabolomics were used to analyze the changes in endogenous metabolites underlying the immunosuppressive activity of TWD on psoriasis animal models induced by imiquimod. The results suggested that TWD treatment markedly attenuated imiquimod-induced psoriasis and showed significant immunosuppressive activity as evidenced by decreased elevation index of spleen and thymus. Meanwhile, TWD significantly reversed the elevation of immunoregulatory factors, including IL-10, IL-17, IL-22 and IL-23. Multivariate trajectory analysis revealed that TWD treatment could restore the psoriasis-disturbed spleen and thymus metabolite profiles towards the normal metabolic status. A total of 25 and 27 metabolites associated with the immunomodulatory effects for which levels changed markedly upon treatment have been identified in spleen and thymus, respectively. These differential metabolites were mainly involved in amino acid metabolism, nucleotide metabolism, fatty acid metabolism and lipid metabolism. Our investigation provided a holistic view of TWD for intervention in psoriasis through immunoregulation and provided further scientific information in vivo about a clinical value of TWD for psoriasis.

Integrated serum metabolomics and network pharmacology approach to reveal the potential mechanisms of withanolides from the leaves of Datura metel L. on psoriasis.

Psoriasis is a chronic, immune-mediated inflammatory skin disease and highly depends on inflammation and angiogenesis as well as other pathways. Our previous study showed that the withanolides from the leaves of Datura metel L. exhibited significant therapeutically effect on psoriasis, but the mechanisms concerning this effect have not been systematically studied. The purpose of this paper was to investigate the possible mechanism of withanolides for treating psoriasis using an integrated metabolomics and network pharmacology strategy. Untargeted metabolomics profiling of serum with UHPLC/Orbitrap MS and a multivariate data method were performed to discover the potential biomarkers and metabolic pathways. Afterward, the compound-target-pathway network of withanolides for psoriasis was constructed by virtue of network pharmacology. Finally, the crucial pathways were selected by integrating the results of metabolomics and network pharmacology, and then validated by ELISA and western blot analysis. The results showed that withanolides could exert excellent effects on psoriasis through regulating two types of pathways, angiogenesis and inflammation, including sphingolipids metabolism and HIF-1α/VEGF pathway, reflected by inhibiting the production of inflammatory cytokines (IL-1ß, IL-6, IL-8, IFN-γ, TNF-α, HIF-1α and VEGF), as well as reducing the protein expressions of HIF-1α and VEGF. Our study successfully explained the polypharmcological mechanisms underlying the efficiency of withanolides from the D. metel L. leaves on treating psoriasis. Meanwhile, it was also valuable for performing a systematical investigation of herb medicines, as well as for efficiently predicting the therapeutic mechanisms of traditional Chinese medicine.

Anti-inflammatory sesquiterpenoids from the leaves of Datura metel L.

Nine new (1-9) and three known (10-12) sesquiterpenoids were isolated from the ethanol-water (7:3, v/v) extract of the Datura metel L. leaves. The structures of 1-9 were elucidated by detailed spectroscopic analyses, including 1D and 2D NMR, HR-ESI-MS. All isolates (1-12) were evaluated for anti-inflammatory activity against the production of nitrogen oxide in lipopolysaccharide-induced RAW264.7 cells and compound 5 possessed the best inhibitory effect among them, with the IC50 value reaching 9.33-11.67 µM, which was lower than positive control, L-NMMA, with IC50 range from 13.64 to 17.02 µM.

Daturmetesides A-E, five new ergostane-type C28 sterols from the leaves of Datura metel L.

Five undescribed ergostane-type C28 sterols, daturmetesides A-E (1-5), were isolated from the leaves of Datura metel L. The chemical structures of these new compounds were characterized through extensive spectroscopic analysis and comparison with literatures. Among them, the absolute structures of daturmetesides A and C were unambiguously determined by X-ray crystallography. The anti-inflammatory effect of daturmetesides A-E was all tested by measuring nitric oxide production in lipopolysaccharide-activated RAW264.7 cells. Daturmetesides A, C and D moderatelylowered the NO production with IC50 values ranging from 17.05 ± 0.35 to 24.88 ± 0.93 µM.

New withanolides with anti-inflammatory activity from the leaves of Datura metel L.

Twenty three undescribed withanolides, daturmetelides A-W (1-23), were isolated from 70% EtOH extract of the leaves of Datura metel L. The structural characterizations and relative configurations of 1-23 were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic analysis as well as by comparison with literature values. The absolute configurations of 1 and 3 were determined by X-ray crystallography. Bioassay results showed that 1 and 7 exhibited moderate inhibitory effects against NO production in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells (IC50 values of 13.74 µM and 13.92 µM, respectively). In addition, 1 and 7 showed significant anti-inflammatory activities against the production of TNF-α, IL-1ß, IL-6 and COX-2. Western blot analysis was further performed to reveal the mechanism of anti-inflammatory action via inhibition of the NF-κB activation.

Datura Metel L. Ameliorates Imiquimod-Induced Psoriasis-Like Dermatitis and Inhibits Inflammatory Cytokines Production through TLR7/8-MyD88-NF-κB-NLRP3 Inflammasome Pathway.

BACKGROUND: Psoriasis is a chronic, immune-mediated inflammatory skin disease, and the inflammatory response plays an important role in its development and progression. Datura metel L. is a traditional Chinese medicine that exhibited a significant therapeutic effect on psoriasis in our previous study due to its remarkable anti-inflammatory effect. Meanwhile, the mechanism underlying its effects on psoriasis is still unclear. METHODS: An imiquimod-induced psoriasis-like dermatitis mouse model was constructed to evaluate the protective effect of the effective part of Datura metel L. (EPD), which was verified by evaluations of the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) score. Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining, immunohistochemical examination, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and Western blot were used to measure the inflammatory cytokines and the protein expression associated with the Toll-like receptor 7- myeloid differentiation primary response gene 88-nuclear Factor-κB-nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain (Nod)-like receptor family pyrin domain-containing 3 (TLR7/8-MyD88-NF-κB-NLRP3) inflammasome pathway. RESULTS: EPD significantly decreased the PASI, reduced epidermal thickness, and decreased the proliferation and differentiation of epidermal cells in psoriasis-like dermatitis C57BL/6 mice induced by imiquimod (IMQ). Furthermore, EPD reduced the infiltration of CD3+ cells to psoriatic lesions, as well as ameliorated the elevations of intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1) and inhibited the production of imiquimod-induced inflammatory cytokines, including IL-1ß, IL-2, IL-6, IL-10, IL-12, IL-17, IL-22, IL-23, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), monocyte chemotactic protein 1 (MCP-1), and interferon-γ (IFN-γ). Besides, EPD decreased the imiquimod-induced expression levels of TLR7, TLR8, TRAF6, MyD88, p-IKKα, p-IKBα, p-NF-κB, NLRP3, apoptosis-associated speck-like protein contained a caspase recruitment domain (ASC), cysteinyl aspartate specific proteinase 1 (caspase-1), and IL-1ß. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that EPD exhibited a protective effect on an imiquimod-induced psoriasis mice model by inhibiting the inflammatory response, which might be ascribed to the inhibition of the TLR7/8-MyD88-NF-κb-NLRP3 inflammasome pathway.

Cardioprotective effects of total flavonoids from Jinhe Yangxin prescription by activating the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway in myocardial ischemia injury.

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the cardioprotective effects of total flavonoids of Jinhe yangxin prescription (JHTF) on myocardial ischemia (MI) injury rats induced by Isoproterenol (ISO) and explore the potential mechanisms underlying these effects. 128 male rats were randomized into 8 groups: Control, Model, Positive, JHTF-H (2.64 g/kg/d), JHTF-M (1.32 g/kg/day), JHTF-L (0.66 g/kg/d), LY + JHTF (JHTF-H plus LY294002, an inhibitor of PI3K/Akt) and LY groups. Electrocardiogram, histopathological examination and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nickend labeling (TUNEL) assay were performed. Heart weight index, markers of cardiac marker enzymes [creatine kinase (CK), creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and cardiac troponin I (cTnI)], oxidative stress [superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and nitric oxide (NO)] and inflammation [tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6)] were also measured in each group. Proteins involved in PI3K/Akt pathway were detected by Western blot. JHTF decreased the ST elevation induced by MI, decreased serum levels of CK, CK-MB, cTnI, LDH, MDA, IL-6 and TNF-α, and increased serum SOD, GSH-Px and NO activities. Furthermore, JHTF inhibited myocardial apoptosis, which may be related to downregulated caspase-3 and Bax, upregulated Bcl-2, and increased the protein levels of phosphorylated Akt, GSK-3ß and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS). However, all the previously mentioned effects of JHTF were blocked when JHTF was coadministered with LY294002. In conclusion, these observations indicated that JHTF has cardioprotective effects against MI, and these effects seem to be related to the activation of PI3K/Akt signaling pathway in the myocardium.

A UPLC-TOF/MS-based metabolomics study of rattan stems of Schisandra chinensis effects on Alzheimer's disease rats model.

A UPLC-TOF/MS-based metabolomics method was established to explore the therapeutic mechanisms of rattan stems of S. chinensis (SCS) in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Experimental AD model was induced by intra-hippocampal Aß1-42 injection in rats. Cognitive function and oxidative stress condition in brain of AD rats were assessed using Morris water maze tests and antioxidant assays [malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px)], respectively. UPLC-TOF/MS combined with multivariate statistical analysis were conducted to study the changes in metabolic networks in serum of rats. The results indicated that the AD model was established successfully and the inducement of Aß1-42 caused a decline in spatial learning and memory of rats. The injection of Aß1-42 in rat brains significantly elevated the level of MDA, and reduced SOD and GSH-Px activities. In addition, SCS showed significant anti-AD effects on model rats. A total of 30 metabolites were finally identified as potential biomarkers of AD and 14 of them had a significant recovery compared with the AD model after SCS administration. Changes in AD metabolite profiling were restored to different levels through the regulation of 13 pathways. This is first report on the use of the UPLC-TOF/MS-based serum metabolomics method to investigate therapeutic effects of SCS on AD, and enrich potential biomarkers and metabolic networks of AD.

Root bark of Sambucus Williamsii Hance promotes rat femoral fracture healing by the BMP-2/Runx2 signaling pathway.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Sambucus Williamsii Hance (SWH) is a plant from a family of Caprifoliaceae, which has a long medical history of use as an effective folk treatment for fracture bruises. AIM OF THE STUDY: To evaluate the effects of 50% ethanol extracts of root-bark of Sambucus Williamsii Hance(EE-rbSWH) on fracture healing of rats and explore its mechanism of actions related to the BMP-2 signaling pathway. MATERIALS AND METHODS: EE-rbSWH was orally administered at the doses of 340 and 680mg/kg to adult Sprague-Dawley rats with operation of open femur fracture completely for 2, 4 and 8 weeks. And the rats of sham operation and Model groups were administered Vehicle (distilled water 0.8mL/200g/day). Firstly, the bone X-ray morphology and bone mineral density(BMD) of the fracture site were observed and measured after anesthesia the rats at weeks 2, 4, and 8 after surgery, then the serum levels of alkaline phosphatase(ALP) and osteocalcin (BGP) were measured; Secondly, the tissue morphology of the fracture site was observed after sacrificed the rats; Thirdly, the formation of mineralized nodules in bone marrow stromal cells(BMSC) were evaluated at week 2; Lastly, the genes levels of BMP-2 and Runx2 in the femur were detected at week 2 and 4, and the proteins expression of BMP-2 signaling pathway (BMP-2, BMPRIB, BMPRII and Runx2) in the femur also were detected at week 2. RESULTS: EE-rbSWH remarkably accelerated fracture healing by promoting bone formation at all the time points of fracture healing. Mainly by increasing the BMD level at the fracture site, the levels of serum ALP and BGP, and also the numbers increasing of calcified nodules in BMSC. The mechanism studies, EE-rbSWH can promote fracture healing by enhancing the expressions of BMP-2 and Runx2 mRNA, and also the proteins of BMP-2, BMPRIB, BMPRII and Runx2 at the fracture site of rats. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggested that 50% ethanol extracts of root-bark of Sambucus Williamsii Hance can accelerate fracture healing by recruitment of osteoblasts at the fracture site and through up-regulation of the BMP-2 signaling pathway.

Sambucus Williamsii Hance Promotes MC3T3-E1 Cells Proliferation and Differentiation via BMP-2/Smad/p38/JNK/Runx2 Signaling Pathway.

The 50% ethanol elution fractions of root-bark of Sambucus Williamsii Hance (rbSWH) evaluated the effect of proliferation and differentiation on preosteoblast MC3T3-E1 cell, and the mechanism of actions. We found that rbSWH(30, 60, and 90 µg/mL) can enhance cell proliferation by MTT assay and promote alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and bone Gla protein (BGP) activities, type I collagen (Col-I) synthesis, and mineralization nodule formation in primary cultured osteoblasts. The results showed that rbSWH can increase mRNA levels of BMP-2 and Runx2 using real-time reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction, whereas the BMP-2 antagonist Noggin attenuated the increase of ALP activity induced by rbSWH, indicating that BMP-2 expression was required for the action of rbSWH in osteoblastic. We also found that rbSWH can enhance the expressions of BMP-2, BMPRIB, BMPRII, phosphorylation of Smad, JNK and p38, and Runx2 proteins by western blotting. In addition, pretreatment of cells with p38 inhibitor (SB203580) or JNK inhibitor (SP600125) can antagonize the elevation of BMP-2 expression, ALP activity, and cell viability induced by rbSWH. Taken together, our results provided an evidence that rbSWH can promote MC3T3-E1 cell proliferation and differentiation via BMP-2/Smad/p38/JNK/Runx2 signaling pathway.