A Network Pharmacology Approach to Explore the Potential Mechanisms of Huangqin-Baishao Herb Pair in Treatment of Cancer.

BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to identify the bioactive ingredients of Huangqin-Baishao herb pair and to reveal its anti-cancer mechanisms through a pharmacology approach. MATERIAL AND METHODS Detailed information on compounds in the HQ-BS herb pair was obtained from the Traditional Chinese medicine systems pharmacology (TCMSP) and screened by the criteria of OB ≥30% and DL ≥0.18. A systematic drug targeting model (SysDT) was used for compound targets prediction, and then the targets were analyzed for Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment. The protein-protein interaction (PPI) network of HQ-BS targets was constructed, after identifying core networks through Cytoscape plugins. RESULTS We found 47 bioactive compounds of HQ-BS and 107 human-derived targets. A compound target network and a target signal pathway network were constructed and used for topological analysis. Kaempferol, beta-sitosterol, stigmasterol, wogonin, and oroxylin-a were identified as core compounds and pathways in cancer. The calcium signaling pathway, PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, TNF signaling pathway, chemical carcinogenesis, estrogen signaling pathway, proteoglycans in cancer, HIF-1 signaling pathway, thyroid hormone signaling pathway, VEGF signaling pathway, small cell lung cancer, prostate cancer, colorectal cancer, NOD-like receptor signaling pathway, and T cell receptor signaling pathway were found to be potential signals of HQ-BS in treating cancer. Through PPI network analysis, TNF signaling pathway, tryptophan metabolism, proteoglycans in cancer, cell cycle, and chemical carcinogenesis sub-networks were obtained. CONCLUSIONS HQ-BS contains various bioactive compounds, including flavonoids, phytosterols, and other compounds, and these compounds can inhibit or activate multiple targets and pathways against cancer.

Separate and Combined Response to UV-B Radiation and Jasmonic Acid on Photosynthesis and Growth Characteristics of Scutellaria baicalensis.

The negative effects of enhanced ultraviolet-B (UV-B) on plant growth and development have been reported with many species. Considering the ability of jasmonic acid (JA) to improve plant stress tolerance, the hypothesis that JA pretreatment could alleviate the adverse effects of UV-B on S. baicalensis was tested in this study with photosynthesis and growth characteristics. The results showed that UV-B or JA alone both induced photosynthesis inhibition and decreased biomass in stems and leaves. However, the photosynthetic reduction caused by increased UV-B was mainly related to the effect of nonstomatal-limitation, while that of JA was a stomatal-limitation effect. JA pretreatment prior to UV-B could remit the photosynthetic inhibition via the recovery of chlorophyll content, stomatal conductance; and intercellular CO2 concentration (especially the maximum electron transport rate increase). Furthermore, the coaction of JA and enhanced UV-B alleviated some disadvantageous effects on the leaf and did not aggravate the growth damage induced by their separate actions.

Autotetraploidy induced in nianmaohuangqin (Radix Scutellariae Viscidulae) with colchicine in vitro.

OBJECTIVE: To establish and optimize the propagation of Nianmaohuangqin (Radix Scutellariae Viscidulae) and induce and characterize polyploidy of Nianmaohuangqin (Radix Scutellariae Viscidulae). METHODS: Buds from germinating seed-derived explants were induced by tissue culture. With an orthogonal test, different concentrations of 6-benzyl-aminopurine (BAP), indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) and kinetin (KT) were used to determine the optimal concentrations for the propagation of Nianmaohuangqin (Radix Scutellariae Viscidulae). The different concentrations of IAA and rooting powder (ABT) were used to induce rooting. A 0.3% w/v colchicine solution was used to induce polyploidy and the induced buds was identified by root-tip chromosome determination and stomatal apparatus observation. RESULTS: A large number of buds could be induced directly from epicotyl and hypocotyl explants on Murashige and Skoog (MS) (Murashige and Skoog 1962) medium supplemented with 1.1-1.3 mg/L BAP and 0.2 mg/L IAA. Root induction and development could be observed within 20 days of inoculation on 1/2 MS medium supplemented with 0.2 mg/L IAA and 0.1 mg/L ABT. Furthermore, 27 lines of autotetraploid individuals were obtained with a plantlet chromosome number of 2n = 4x = 36. CONCLUSION: Autotetraploid lines could be obtained through induction with colchicine in vitro, proving that this method might be used for plant selection and breeding.