Different processed products of Polygonati Rhizoma treat Alzheimer's disease in rats: urine metabolomics based on UPLC-Q/TOF-MS / 中国中药杂志

The study investigated the effects of different processed products of Polygonati Rhizoma(black bean-processed Polygonati Rhizoma, BBPR; stewed Polygonati Rhizoma, SPR) on the urinary metabolites in a rat model of Alzheimer's disease(AD). Sixty SPF-grade male SD rats were randomized into a control group, a model group, a donepezil group, a BBPR group, and a SPR group, with twelve rats in each group. Other groups except the control group were administrated with D-galactose injection(100 mg·kg~(-1)) once a day for seven weeks. The control group was administrated with an equal volume of normal saline once a day for seven consecutive weeks. After three weeks of D-galactose injection, bilateral hippocampal Aβ_(25-35) injections were performed for modeling. The rats were administrated with corresponding drugs(10 mL·kg~(-1)) by gavage since week 2, and the rats in the model and control group with an equal volume of double distilled water once a day for 35 continuous days. The memory behaviour and pathological changes in the hippocampal tissue were observed. The untargeted metabolites in the urine were detected by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry(UPLC-Q/TOF-MS). Principal component analysis(PCA) and orthogonal partial least square-discriminant analysis(OPLS-DA) were employed to characterize and screen differential metabolites and potential biomarkers, for which the metabolic pathway enrichment analysis was conducted. The results indicated that BBPR and SPR increased the new object recognition index, shortened the escape latency, and increased the times of crossing the platform of AD rats in the Morris water maze test. The results of hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining showed that the cells in the hippocampal tissue of the drug administration groups were closely arranged. Moreover, the drugs reduced the content of interleukin-6(IL-6, P<0.01) and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α) in the hippocampal tissue, which were more obvious in the BBPR group(P<0.05). After screening, 15 potential biomarkers were identified, involving two metabolic pathways: dicoumarol pathway and piroxicam pathway. BBPR and SPR may alleviate AD by regulating the metabolism of dicoumarol and piroxicam.

Historical Evolution and Modern Research on Shaoyao Gancaotang / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Shaoyao Gancaotang, first seen in Treatise on Febrile and Miscellaneous Diseases, is composed of Paeoniae Radix Alba and Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma Praeparata cum Melle in equal proportion.It has the functions of preserving Yin to nourish blood, harmonizing liver and spleen, relieving spasm and pain.This formula is applied in leg and foot spasm and abdominal pain caused by blood deficiency, body fluid consuming and the unmoistened muscles and veins.It has been highly praised and used by medical experts throughout the ages and has extended its application scope.Modern pharmacological studies have shown that Shaoyao Gancaotang has significant effects in antispasmodic, analgesic, antitussive and other areas, and is used to treat spastic diseases, painful diseases, inflammatory diseases and so on.This paper will systematically elaborate the historical evolution, compatibility analysis, pharmacological and pharmacodynamic studies, modern clinical application of Shaoyao Gancaotang, in order to provide theoretical basis and reference for the development of this famous classical formula.