Huangqin decoction ameliorates DSS-induced ulcerative colitis: Role of gut microbiota and amino acid metabolism, mTOR pathway and intestinal epithelial barrier.

BACKGROUND: The clinical treatment of ulcerative colitis (UC) is limited. A traditional Chinese medicinal formula, Huangqin decoction (HQD), is chronicled in Shang Han Lun and is widely used to ameliorate gastrointestinal disorders, such as UC; however, its mechanism is yet to be clarified. PURPOSE: The present study aimed to investigate the effect of HQD on 7-day colitis induced by 3% dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) in mice and further explore the inhibitory effect of metabolites on DSS-damaged FHC cells. METHODS: The therapeutic efficacy of HQD was evaluated in a well-established DSS-induced colitis mice model. The clinical symptoms were analyzed, and biological samples were collected for microscopic examination, metabolomics, metagenomics, and the evaluation of the epithelial barrier function. The mechanism of metabolites regulated by HQD was evaluated in the DSS-induced FHC cell damage model. The samples were collected to detect the physiological functions of the cells. RESULTS: HQD suppressed the inflammation of DSS-induced colitis in vivo, attenuated DSS-induced clinical manifestations, reversed colon length reduction, and reduced histological injury. After HQD treatment, the DSS-induced gut dysbiosis was modulated, and the gut microbiota achieved a new equilibrium state. In addition, HQD activated the mTOR signaling pathway by upregulating amino acid metabolism. Significant phosphorylation of S6 and 4E-BP1 ameliorated intestinal epithelial barrier dysfunction. Moreover, HQD-regulated metabolites protected the epithelial barrier integrity by inhibiting DSS-induced apoptosis of FHC cells and regulating the proteins affecting apoptosis and cell-cell junction. CONCLUSIONS: These findings indicated that the mechanism of HQD was related to regulating the gut microbiota and amino acid metabolism, activating the mTOR signaling pathway, and protecting the intestinal mucosal barrier integrity.

Effects of Huangqin Decoction on ulcerative colitis by targeting estrogen receptor alpha and ameliorating endothelial dysfunction based on system pharmacology.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Huangqin Decoction (HQD), a traditional Chinese medicinal (TCM) formula chronicled in Shang Han Lun, has been used to treat gastrointestinal diseases for nearly 1800 years. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects and underlying mechanisms of HQD on ulcerative colitis (UC). METHODS: The bioactive compounds in HQD were obtained from the traditional Chinese medicine systems pharmacology database. Then, the HQD and UC-related targets were analyzed by establishing HQD-Compounds-Targets (H-C-T) and protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks. Enrichment analysis was used for further study. The candidate targets for the effects of HQD on UC were validated using a dextran sulfate sodium-induced UC mouse experiment. RESULTS: The results showed that 51 key targets were gained by matching 284 HQD-related targets and 837 UC-related targets. Combined with H-C-T and PPI network analyses, the key targets were divided into endothelial growth, inflammation and signal transcription-related targets. Further experimental validation showed that HQD targeted estrogen receptor alpha (ESR1) and endothelial growth factor receptors to relieve endothelial dysfunction, thereby improving intestinal barrier function. The expression of inflammatory cytokines and signal transducers was suppressed by HQD treatment and inflammation was inhibited. CONCLUSIONS: HQD may acts on UC via the regulation of targets and pathways related to improving the intestinal mucosal barrier and ameliorating endothelial dysfunction. Additionally, ERS1 may be a new target to explore the mechanisms of UC.

Thrombopoietin is associated with a prognosis of gastric adenocarcinoma.

OBJECTIVE Thrombopoietin (THPO) is well-known as a megakaryocyte growth and development factor (MGDF) involved in megakaryocyte proliferation and maturation. To explore the biological effects of THPO in gastric adenocarcinoma, we conducted this study. Methods: By accessing the TCGA database, the expression level of THPO was determined in tumor tissues. The association between THPO expression and clinical features, or prognostic significance was described by Cox regression analysis and Kaplan-Meier. The SiRNA method was used to decline the THPO expression; then cell viability, invasion, and migration were detected to verify the effects of the knockdown of THPO. qPCR and western blotting were implemented to examine the expression level of THPO. Results: The expression of THPO was increased in tumor tissue and cells, its high-regulation was associated with a poor prognosis in patients with gastric adenocarcinoma. Cell viability, invasion, and migration were suppressed in AGS with the down-regulation of THPO. Furthermore, on the basis of si-THPO transfection, E-cadherin was promoted while N-cadherin and Vimentin were attenuated. CONCLUSION Our results revealed that THPO may be a potent marker of gastric adenocarcinoma, providing a novel potential screening method for gastric adenocarcinoma.

Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Huangqin Decoction on Dextran Sulfate Sodium-Induced Ulcerative Colitis in Mice Through Regulation of the Gut Microbiota and Suppression of the Ras-PI3K-Akt-HIF-1α and NF-κB Pathways.

OBJECTIVE: Huangqin decoction (HQD), a classical traditional Chinese medicinal formula, has been commonly used to treat gastrointestinal diseases for thousands of years. We investigated the anti-inflammatory effects and underlying mechanisms of HQD on dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced ulcerative colitis (UC). METHODS: Experimental mice were given 3% DSS, and HQD (2.275, 4.55, and 9.1 g/kg), or mesalazine (ME, 200 mg/kg) orally for 7 days. Body weight loss, disease activity index (DAI), colon length, histology, and levels of inflammatory cytokines were measured to evaluate the effects of HQD on colitis. The effects of HQD on the Ras-phosphoinositide-3-kinase (PI3K)-Akt-hypoxia inducible factor 1 alpha (HIF-1α) and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) pathways were evaluated by Western blot analysis. In addition, the gut microbiota was characterized using high-throughput Illumina MiSeq sequencing. RESULTS: The results showed that HQD significantly reduced the body weight loss, ameliorated DAI, restored colon length, and improved the intestinal epithelial cell barrier in mice with DSS-induced colitis. The messenger RNA (mRNA) expression levels of inflammatory mediators were decreased following HQD treatment. Furthermore, the Ras-PI3K-Akt-HIF-1α and NF-κB pathways were significantly inhibited by HQD. Finally, treatment with HQD resulted in recovery of gut microbiota diversity. CONCLUSIONS: HQD ameliorates DSS-induced colitis through regulation of the gut microbiota, and suppression of Ras-PI3K-Akt-HIF-1α and NF-κB pathways. Our results suggested that HQD may be a potential candidate for treatment of UC.

Baicalein induces the apoptosis of HCT116 human colon cancer cells via the upregulation of DEPP/Gadd45a and activation of MAPKs.

Baicalein has efficient antitumor properties and has been reported to promote the apoptosis of several human cancer cell lines. Decidual protein induced by progesterone (DEPP), a transcriptional target of Forkhead Box O, was originally identified from the human endometrial stromal cell cDNA library. However, the expression and physiological functions of DEPP in human colon cancer cells remain to be fully elucidated. In the present study, it was reported that baicalein stimulated apoptosis and morphological changes of HCT116, A549 and Panc­1 cells in a dose-dependent manner. It also upregulated the mRNA and protein levels of DEPP and growth arrest and DNA damage-inducible 45α (Gadd45a). In addition, the overexpression of DEPP promoted mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) phosphorylation. To further investigate the role of DEPP and Gadd45a in baicalein-induced apoptosis, HCT116 cells were transfected with small interfering RNA against either DEPP or Gadd45a as in vitro models. Through an Annexin V/PI double staining assay, it was observed that baicalein-induced apoptosis was impaired by the inactivation of either DEPP or Gadd45a, which in turn restricted the baicalein-induced activation of caspase­3 and caspase­9 and phosphorylation of MAPKs. In addition, the inhibition of c­Jun N­terminal kinase (JNK)/p38 activity with SP600125/SB203580 decreased the expression of Gadd45a, whereas the inactivation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase with SCH772984 had no effect on the expression of Gadd45a. Taken together, these results demonstrated that baicalein induced the upregulation of DEPP and Gadd45a, which promoted the activation of MAPKs with a positive feedback loop between Gadd45a and JNK/p38, resulting in a marked apoptotic response in human colon cancer cells. These results indicated that baicalein is a potential antitumor drug for the treatment of colon cancer.

A polysaccharide purified from Radix Adenophorae promotes cell activation and pro-inflammatory cytokine production in murine RAW264.7 macrophages.

Radix Adenophorae, a traditional Chinese medicine, has been reported to have a variety of biological functions. In the present study, a polysaccharide component, Radix Adenophorae Polysaccharide (RAPS), was purified from Radix Adenophorae by decoloring with ADS-7 macroporous adsorption resin, DEAE-52 cellulose ion-exchange chromatography, and Sephacryl S-300HR gel chromatography, with the purity of 98.3% and a molecular weight of 1.8 × 10(4) Da. The cell viability assay and microscopic examination revealed that RAPS promoted the proliferation and activation of macrophages. At 400 µg·mL(-1), RAPS stimulated RAW264.7 cell proliferation by 1.91-fold compared with the control. Meanwhile, RAPS significantly increased the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α and IL-6) in a dose-dependent manner in the supernatant of RAW264.7 cell culture as determined by ELISA. At 400 µg·mL(-1), the production of TNF-iα was 20.8-fold higher than that of the control. Simultaneously, the production of nitric oxide (NO) and the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) were increased in RAW264.7 cells incubated with RAPS, as measured by Griess assay and Western blot analysis. The NO production of cells treated with RAPS (400 µg·mL(-1)) reached 15.8 µmol·L(-1), which was 30.4-fold higher than that of the control (0.53 µmol·L(-1)). These data suggested that RAPS may enhance the immune function and protect against exogenous pathogens by activating macrophages.

Discrimination of Citrus reticulata Blanco and Citrus reticulata 'Chachi' by gas chromatograph-mass spectrometry based metabolomics approach.

Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium, mainly including the pericarp of Citrus reticulata Blanco and the pericarp of Citrus reticulata 'Chachi', has been consumed daily as food and dietary supplement for centuries. In this study, GC-MS based metabolomics was employed to compare comprehensively the volatile constituents in Citrus reticulata Blanco and Citrus reticulata 'Chachi'. Principal component analysis and orthogonal partial least squares discrimination analysis indicated that samples could be distinguished effectively from one another. Fifteen metabolites were finally identified for use as chemical markers in discrimination of Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium samples. The antimicrobial activity against Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria of the volatile oil from Citrus reticulata Blanco and Citrus reticulata 'Chachi' was investigated preliminarily.

Receptor-binding domain of SARS-Cov spike protein: soluble expression in E. coli, purification and functional characterization.

AIM: Spike protein of coronavirus is responsible for virus binding, fusion and entry, and is a major inducer of neutralizing antibodies. This paper was to find a soluble and functional recombinant receptor-binding domain of severe acute respiratory syndrome-associated coronavirus (SARS-Cov), and to analyze its receptor binding ability. METHODS: Three fusion tags (glutathione S-transferase, GST; thioredoxin, Trx; maltose-binding protein, MBP), which preferably contributes to increasing solubility and to facilitating the proper folding of heteroprotein, were used to acquire the soluble and functional expression of RBD protein in Escherichia coli (BL21(DE3) and Rosetta-gamiB(DE3) strains). The receptor binding ability of the purified soluble RBD protein was then detected by ELISA and flow cytometry assay. RESULTS: RBD of SARS-Cov spike protein was expressed as inclusion body when fused as TrxA tag form in both BL21 (DE3) and Rosetta-gamiB (DE3) under many different cultures and induction conditions. And there was no visible expression band on SDS-PAGE when RBD was expressed as MBP tagged form. Only GST tagged RBD was soluble expressed in BL21(DE3), and the protein was purified by AKTA Prime Chromatography system. The ELISA data showed that GST/RBD antigen had positive reaction with anti-RBD mouse monoclonal antibody 1A5. Further flow cytometry assay demonstrated the high efficiency of RBD's binding ability to ACE2 (angiotensin-converting enzyme 2) positive Vero E6 cell. And ACE2 was proved as a cellular receptor that meditated an initial-affinity interaction with SARS-Cov spike protein. The geometrical mean of GST and GST/RBD binding to Vero E6 cells were 77.08 and 352.73 respectively. CONCLUSION: In this paper, we get sufficient soluble N terminal GST tagged RBD protein expressed in E.coli BL21(DE3); data from ELISA and flow cytometry assay demonstrate that the recombinant protein is functional and binding to ACE2 positive Vero E6 cell efficiently. And the recombinant RBD derived from E.coli can be used to developing subunit vaccine to block S protein binding with receptor and to neutralizing SARS-Cov infection.