ABSTRACT
Objective:To explore the potential synergistic protective mechanism of Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma-Granati Pericarpium formula compound by using the methods and tools of network pharmacology，and provide a basis for the modernization of traditional Chinese medicine（TCM） compounds and the discovery of new drugs. Method:Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform （TCMSP） was used to obtain the active components of Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma-Granati Pericarpium formula and their corresponding targets. The obtained targets were input to the UniProt database to inquire the gene names corresponding to the targets. By searching the CTD database，Genecards database and OMIM database of disease-related websites，the anti-sunburn targets were obtained. The interaction of the active targets was analyzed with online STRING database to screen the predicted core targets. The gene ontolog（GO） gene function enrichment analysis and Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes（KEGG） pathway enrichment analysis of the predictive targets were performed by using DAVID database. Cytoscape 3.6.1 software was used to make "drug-component-target" network diagram，"protein-protein interaction" network diagram and "component-target-pathway" network diagram. Online website Draw Venn Diagram was used to show the relationship between disease targets and drug predicted targets. R Studio software was used to draw the functional enrichment analysis diagram of GO gene and KEGG pathway. Molecular docking between the active ingredients and the core targets was performed using GOLD software. Result:The 16 active compounds were collected，such as liquiritin，glycyrrhizin，kaempferol and quercetin. The active components mainly acted on 5 core targets：protein kinase B1（AKT1），interleukin（IL）-6，vascular endothelial growth factor（VEGFA），tumor necrosis factor（TNF） and tumor suppressor gene （TP53） and played a role in anti-sunburn effect primarily through these pathways such as hepatitis B，pathways in cancer，toxoplasmosis，chagas disease（American trypanosomiasis），and TNF signaling pathway. Conclusion:Based on the method of network pharmacology，the present study has preliminarily explored the anti-sunburn targets and pathways of Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma-Granati Pericarpium formula，and further verified the characteristics of multi-component and multi-target treatment of diseases in TCM，so as to provide certain scientific ideas for the modernization research of Chinese herbal compound prescriptions.
ABSTRACT
Objective: To investigate the metabolism effect of tannins from Granati Pericarpium in intestinal flora for elucidating the metabolic pathway of tannins from Granati Pericarpium in the intestinal flora. Methods: Pomegranate tannins were incubated with rats intestinal flora for 4, 6, 8, 12, 24, and 48 h. The content was then detected at different times. Results: A total of 10 metabolites were detected in the rats intestinal flora by LC-MS, namely urolithin B, gallic acid, pyrogallic acid, 3-O-methylgallic acid, urolithin A, methyl-urolithin A, urolithin C, urolithin-M6, urolithin A-glucuronidation, urolithin C-glucuronidation. Conclusion: Tannins from Granati Pericarpium in intestinal flora could generate physiological activity of small molecule compounds through hydrolysis of metabolic enzymes, and these compounds may be the material basis of tannins from Granati Pericarpium and play the role of pharmacological activities in the body.
ABSTRACT
Objective: Processing technology and antioxidant activity in vivo of pomegranate superfine powder were investigated. Methods: Processing technology of superfine powder of Granati Pericarpium was optimized using single-factor tests and response surface methodology (RSM). The antioxidant effect in vivo of superfine powder of Granati Pericarpium with different particle, vitamin E, and normal saline were studied. Results: The optimally grinding conditions for Granati Pericarpium were grinding time of 25 min, grinding temperature of -17℃, and input quantity of 198 g. Under the optimally grinding conditions, the minimum particle size of superfine powder of Granati Pericarpium was 7.68 μm which was close to the predicted value of 7.96 μm. Therefore, the established regression model has good prediction capability. Experimental results show that the superfine powder and vitamin E groups compared with the coarse powder and blank groups could significantly improve the activity of SOD, CAT, and GSH-Px, and reduce the content of MDA in serum of mice. Conclusion: The ability of superfine powder group on the protection of membrane lipid peroxidation and scavenge free radical is quite superior. It indicates that the active ingredients in the superfine powder of Granati Pericarpium could be dissolved better and more quickly in solvent than those in coarse powder. Therefore, the superfine powder of Granati Pericarpium has the better anti-oxidant effect in vivo.
ABSTRACT
This study was aimed to establish quality standards of Granati pericarpium and Granati semen. The microscopy and thin layer chromatography (TLC) were used in the identification of Granati semen. According to the 2010 Chinese Pharmacopoeia, the content of moisture, total ash, acid-insoluble ash and alcohol-soluble extract were determined. And the HPLC was used in the content determination of ellagic acid in Granati semen and Granati pericarpium. The results showed that the microscopic characteristics of Granati semen were identified. And TLC identification of Granati semen was established. The content determination method of ellagic acid in Granati pericarpium and Granati semen were established. It was concluded that the established qualitative and quantitative method can be used for quality control of Granati pericarpium and Granati semen.
ABSTRACT
Objective: To study the improvement of tannins from Granati Pericarpium on renal fibrosis in rat. Methods: SD rats were randomly divided into five groups, Sham operation, model, Valsartan, high-dose (60 mg/kg), and low-dose (20 mg/kg) tannins groups. Renal fibrosis model of rats was constructed using left ureter ligation method except the rats in the Sham operation group in which the left side ureter of rats was not ligated or cut. The ig administration started at the day of operation, Urinary protein of 24 h, the concentration of Ca2+ and P3+ in urine, and the levels of Scr and BUN in serum were detected in 1-3 week after the operation. The staining of HE and Masson to the kidney tissue was carried out to investigate how tannins from Granati Pericarpium could impact the indexes of renal fibrosis in rats on the morphological basis. Results: The results of urine and blood test showed that the levels of urine protein, Scr, and BUN were deviated from the normal level. The concentration of Ca2+ was increased, while the concentration of P3+ was reduced. The staining of HE and Masson showed that the renal tissue was damaged, the left side of kidney was found renal fibrosis, tannins from Granati Pericarpium could improve the renal fibrosis in rats in some extent. Conclusion: Tannins from Granati Pericarpium have the great improvement on the renal fibrosis in rats and are able to adjust the disorders of Ca2+ and P3+ in rats.