Integrated pharmacokinetics and pharmacometabolomics to reveal the synergistic mechanism of a multicomponent Chinese patent medicine, Mailuo Shutong pills against thromboangiitis obliterans.

BACKGROUND: Mailuo Shutong Pills (MLST) have displayed pharmacological activity against thromboangiitis obliterans (TAO). However, the active ingredients and therapeutic mechanism of MLST against TAO remained to be further clarified. PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to explore the active components of MLST and their synergistic mechanism against TAO by integrating pharmacokinetics (PK) and pharmacometabolomics (PM). METHODS: TAO model rats were established by sodium laurate solution. Firstly, the efficacy of MLST was evaluated by gangrene score, blood flow velocity, and hematoxylin-eosin (H&E) staining. Secondly, PK research was conducted on bioavailable components to characterize their dynamic behaviors under TAO. Thirdly, multiple plasma and urine metabolic biomarkers for sodium laurate-induced TAO rats were found by untargeted metabolomics, and then variations in TAO-altered metabolites following MLST treatment were analyzed utilizing multivariate and bioinformatic analysis. Additionally, metabolic pathway analysis was performed using MetaboAnalyst. Finally, the dynamic link between absorbed MLST-compounds and TAO-associated endogenous metabolites was established by correlation analysis. RESULTS: MLST significantly alleviated gangrene symptoms by improving the infiltration of inflammatory cells and blood supply in TAO rats. Significant differences in metabolic profiles were found in 17 differential metabolites in plasma and 24 in urine between Sham and TAO rats. The 10 bioavailable MLST-compounds, such as chlorogenic acid and paeoniflorin, showed positive or negative correlations with various TAO-altered metabolites related to glutamate metabolism, histidine metabolism, arachidonic acid metabolism and so on. CONCLUSION: This study originally investigated the dynamic interaction between MLST and the biosystem, providing unique insight for disclosing the active components of MLST and their synergistic mechanisms against TAO, which also shed light on new therapeutic targets for TAO and treatment.

Identifying quality markers of Mailuoshutong pill against thromboangiitis obliterans based on chinmedomics strategy.

BACKGROUND: Mailuoshutong pill (MLSTP) is a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for the treatment of Thromboangiitis obliterans (TAO, Buerger's disease) which is a segmental non-atherosclerotic inflammatory occlusive disorder. However, the mechanism and quality standards of MLSTP have not been sufficiently studied. PURPOSE: This work aims to investigate the potential mechanisms and quality markers (Q-markers) of MLSTP treating TAO based on the chinmedomics strategy. METHODS: The therapeutical effect of MLSTP on TAO rats was evaluated by changes in body weight and clinical score, regional blood flow velocity and perfused blood vessel distribution, hematoxylin-eosin (H&E) staining, serum metabolic profile. Moreover, both endogenous metabolites and exogenous components were simultaneously detected in serum based on ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled with a Q Exactive hybrid quadrupole-orbitrap high resolution mass spectrometry (UHPLC-Q-Orbitrap HRMS), and multivariate analysis was applied to identify the biomarkers, as well as the dynamic changes of metabolites were observed to explore the mechanism of action of MLSTP. In addition, the pharmacodynamic material basis were identified by correlation analysis between biomarkers and absorbed constituents. Finally, the Q-markers of MLSTP were determined according to the screening principles of Q-marker and validated the measurability. RESULTS: MLSTP treatment alleviated disease severity of TAO, reduced inflammatory infiltration, and ameliorated vascular function. 26 potential biomarkers associated with glutamate metabolism, linoleic acid metabolism, arachidonic acid metabolism and so on were identified. Besides, 27 prototypical components were identified in serum, 16 of which were highly correlated with efficacy and could serve as the pharmacodynamic material basis of MLSTP against TAO. In addition, 7 compounds, namely, sweroside, chlorogenic acid, calycosin-7-glucoside, formononetin, paeoniflorin, liquiritigenin and 3-butylidenephthalide, were considered as potential Q-markers of MLSTP. Ultimately, the measurability of the seven Q-markers was validated by rapid identifcation and quantifcation. CONCLUSION: This study successfully clarified the therapeutic effect and Q-markers of MLSTP by chinmedomics strategy, which is of great significance for the establishment of quality standards. Furthermore, it provides a certain reference for the screening of Q-markers in TCM prescriptions.

[Study on metabolic dynamics,metabolic enzyme phenotype and species difference of hepatic and intestinal microsome of psoralidin].

This study aims to investigate metabolic activities of psoralidin in human liver microsomes( HLM) and intestinal microsomes( HIM),and to identify cytochrome P450 enzymes( CYPs) and UDP-glucuronosyl transferases( UGTs) involved in psoralidin metabolism as well as species differences in the in vitro metabolism of psoralen. First,after incubation serial of psoralidin solutions with nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate( NADPH) or uridine 5'-diphosphate-glucuronic acid( UDPGA)-supplemented HLM or HIM,two oxidic products( M1 and M2) and two conjugated glucuronides( G1 and G2) were produced in HLM-mediated incubation system,while only M1 and G1 were detected in HIM-supplemented system. The CLintfor M1 in HLM and HIM were 104. 3,and57. 6 µL·min~(-1)·mg~(-1),respectively,while those for G1 were 543. 3,and 75. 9 µL·min~(-1)·mg~(-1),respectively. Furthermore,reaction phenotyping was performed to identify the main contributors to psoralidin metabolism after incubation of psoralidin with NADPH-supplemented twelve CYP isozymes( or UDPGA-supplemented twelve UGT enzymes),respectively. The results showed that CYP1 A1( 39. 5 µL·min~(-1)·mg~(-1)),CYP2 C8( 88. 0 µL·min~(-1)·mg~(-1)),CYP2 C19( 166. 7 µL·min~(-1)·mg~(-1)),and CYP2 D6( 9. 1 µL·min~(-1)·mg~(-1)) were identified as the main CYP isoforms for M1,whereas CYP2 C19( 42. 0 µL·min~(-1)·mg~(-1)) participated more in producing M2. In addition,UGT1 A1( 1 184. 4 µL·min~(-1)·mg~(-1)),UGT1 A7( 922. 8 µL·min~(-1)·mg~(-1)),UGT1 A8( 133. 0 µL·min~(-1)·mg~(-1)),UGT1 A9( 348. 6 µL·min~(-1)·mg~(-1)) and UGT2 B7( 118. 7 µL·min~(-1)·mg~(-1)) played important roles in the generation of G1,while UGT1 A9( 111. 3 µL·min~(-1)·mg~(-1)) was regarded as the key UGT isozyme for G2. Moreover,different concentrations of psoralidin were incubated with monkey liver microsomes( MkLM),rat liver microsomes( RLM),mice liver microsomes( MLM),dog liver microsomes( DLM) and mini-pig liver microsomes( MpLM),respectively. The obtained CLintwere used to evaluate the species differences.Phase Ⅰ metabolism and glucuronidation of psoralidinby liver microsomes showed significant species differences. In general,psoralidin underwent efficient hepatic and intestinal metabolisms. CYP1 A1,CYP2 C8,CYP2 C19,CYP2 D6 and UGT1 A1,UGT1 A7,UGT1 A8,UGT1 A9,UGT2 B7 were identified as the main contributors responsible for phase Ⅰ metabolism and glucuronidation,respectively. Rat and mini-pig were considered as the appropriate model animals to investigate phase Ⅰ metabolism and glucuronidation,respectively.

Polyphyllin VI induces apoptosis and autophagy in human osteosarcoma cells by modulation of ROS/JNK activation.

PURPOSE: Polyphyllin VI, a main active saponin isolated from traditional medicinal plant Paris polyphylla, has exhibited antitumor activities in several cancer cell lines. In the present study, we investigated the antitumor effect of Polyphyllin VI against human osteosarcoma cells (U2OS) and the underlying molecular mechanisms. METHODS: The U2OS cell lines were used to determine the antiproliferative effect of Polyphyllin VI by CCK8 assay. Cell cycle was analyzed by flow cytometry. The Polyphyllin VI-induced apoptosis was determined by Annexin V-APC/7-AAD apoptosis detection kit and JC-1 staining. Meanwhile, the autophagy was determined by acridine orange staining. The apoptosis and autophagy-related proteins were monitored by Western blot assay. Subsequently, intracellular hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and the activation of ROS/JNK pathway were detected. RESULTS: Polyphyllin VI could potently inhibit cell proliferation by causing G2/M phase arrest. Polyphyllin VI induced mitochondria-mediated apoptosis with the upregulation of proapoptotic proteins Bax and poly ADP-ribose polymerase, and downregulation of antiapoptotic protein Bcl-2 in U2OS cells. Concomitantly, Polyphyllin VI provoked autophagy with the upregulation of critical Atg proteins and accumulation of LC3B-II. Intracellular H2O2 production was triggered upon exposure to Polyphyllin VI, which could be blocked by ROS scavenger. Polyphyllin VI dramatically promoted JNK phosphorylation, whereas it decreased the levels of phospho-p38 and ERK. CONCLUSION: Our results reveal that Polyphyllin VI may effectively induce apoptosis and autophagy to suppress cell growth via ROS/JNK activation in U2OS cells, suggesting that Polyphyllin VI is a potential drug candidate for the treatment of osteosarcomas.

A homologues prediction strategy for comprehensive screening and characterization of C21 steroids from Xiao-ai-ping injection by using ultra high performance liquid chromatography coupled with high resolution hybrid quadrupole-orbitrap mass spectrometry.

Because of the complicated chemical composition of Traditional Chinese Medicines, their chemical profile study has been a great challenge. In the present work, a homologues prediction strategy for rapid screening and identification of C21 steroids in Xiao-ai-ping injection was developed by using an ultra high performance liquid chromatography coupled with high resolution hybrid quadrupole-orbitrap mass spectrometry. This strategy was characterized by the design of C21 steroidal skeleton, substituent group and glycan chain in an orderly way, which could quickly and efficiently screen the interested precursor ions. As a result, a total of 95C21 steroids including 47 potential new ones were identified or tentatively identified, which greatly expanded our knowledge of C21 steroids in Xiao-ai-ping injection. The results indicated that the homologues prediction strategy not only provided an efficient technique to screen and identify target constituents, but also offered a new perspective for discovery new components in Traditional Chinese Medicines.

Chemical profiling and quantification of Dan-Deng-Tong-Nao-capsule using ultra high performance liquid chromatography coupled with high resolution hybrid quadruple-orbitrap mass spectrometry.

Dan-Deng-Tong-Nao capsule (DDTN) was a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formula, and has been widely used for the treatment of stroke clinically which caused by blood stasis. However, the bioactive substances and mechanism are unclear because of the complex compositions in DDTN. In this research, An ultra high-performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC) coupled with hybrid quadruple-orbitrap mass spectrometry (Q-Orbitrap MS) method was utilized to identify the chemical constituents of DDTN. In total, 102 compounds including diterpenes, lactones, flavonoids, and phenolic acids were identified by the accurate masses and fragmentation pathways, and 18 of them were unambiguously determined by comparison of reference standards. Besides, 12 representative compounds were simultaneously quantification analyzed and successfully applified for detecting in 9 batches of DDTN samples by UHPLC-Q-Orbitrap MS in parallel reaction monitoring (PRM) mode. The proposed approach was validated to be satisfied in terms of linearity (0.9954-0.9999), LOD (0.771ng/mL), LOQ (2.568ng/mL), intra-day precision ( <2.68%), inter-day precision ( <4.52%), repeatability ( <2.96%), stability ( <3.21%), and recovery (94.6-105.5%). The results indicate that the method of combining UHPLC with Q-Orbitrap MS is practical and efficient for the chemical clarification in DDTN, and has great potential for the integrating quality control of other traditional Chinese medicines.

Protective effects of matrine on experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis via regulation of ProNGF and NGF signaling.

Inflammation, demyelination, oligodendrocyte (OLG) death, and axonal degeneration are primary characteristics of multiple sclerosis (MS) and its animal model, experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). OLGs generate myelin sheaths that surround axons, while damage to OLGs leads to demyelination and neurological functional deficit. Matrine (MAT), a quinolizidine alkaloid derived from the herb Radix Sophorae Flave, has been recently found to effectively ameliorate clinical signs in EAE. Its therapeutic mechanism has, however, not been completely elucidated. In the present study, we found that MAT retarded the disease process, attenuated the clinical severity of EAE rats, ameliorated inflammation and demyelination, and suppressed the apoptosis of OLGs in the central nervous system (CNS) of EAE rats. In addition, MAT markedly blocked increased expression of the proNGF-p75(NTR) death signaling complex, which is known to mediate OLG death in EAE animals. At the same time, MAT also prevented a decrease in the levels of NGF and its receptor TrkA, which together mediate the cell survival pathway and differentiation of OLGs. ProNGF, NGF, and the downstream effector proteins play an important role in the growth, differentiation, and apoptosis of OLGs as well as the reparative response to neuronal damage. These findings thus indicate that MAT improves clinical severity of EAE in part by reducing OLG apoptosis via restoring the ratios of proNGF:NGF and the respective receptors p75(NTR):TrkA in vivo. Taken together, these results suggest that MAT may be a promising agent for MS treatment based on its protective effect on OLGs.

Investigations of the total flavonoids extracted from flowers of Abelmoschus manihot (L.) Medic against α-naphthylisothiocyanate-induced cholestatic liver injury in rats.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY RELEVANCE: The decoction of the flowers of Abelmoschus manihot (L.) Medic was traditionally used for the treatment of jaundice and various types of chronic and acute hepatitis in Anhui and Jiangsu Provinces of China for hundreds of years. Phytochemical studies have indicated that total flavonoids extracted from flowers of A. manihot (L.) Medic (TFA) were the major constituents of the flowers. Our previous studies have investigated the hepatoprotective effects of the TFA against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) induced hepatocyte damage in vitro and liver injury in vivo. This study aimed to investigate the protective effects and mechanisms of TFA on α-naphthylisothiocyanate (ANIT)-induced cholestatic liver injury in rats. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The hepatoprotective activities of TFA (125, 250 and 500mg/kg) were investigated on ANIT-induced cholestatic liver injury in rats. The serum levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were used as indices of hepatic cell damage and measured. Meanwhile, the serum levels of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT), total bilirubin (TBIL), direct bilirubin (DBIL), and total bile acid (TBA) were used as indices of biliary cell damage and cholestasis and evaluated. Hepatic malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione transferase (GST), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and nitric oxide (NO) were measured in the liver homogenates. The bile flow in 4h was estimated and the histopathology of the liver tissue was evaluated. Furthermore, the expression of transporters, bile salt export pump (BSEP), multidrug resistance-associated protein 2 (MRP2), and Na(+)-taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide (NTCP) were studied by western blot and reverse transcription-quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) to elucidate the protective mechanisms of TFA against ANIT-induced cholestasis. RESULTS: The oral administration of TFA to ANIT-treated rats could reduce the increases in serum levels of ALT, AST, LDH, ALP, GGT, TBIL, DBIL and TBA. Decreased bile flow by ANIT was restored with TFA treatment. Concurrent administration of TFA reduced the severity of polymorphonuclear neutrophil infiltration and other histological damages, which were consistent with the serological tests. Hepatic MDA and GSH contents in liver tissue were reduced, while SOD and GST activities, which had been suppressed by ANIT, were elevated in the groups pretreated with TFA. With TFA intervention, levels of TNF-α and NO in liver were decreased. Additionally, TFA was found to increase the expression of liver BSEP, MRP2, and NTCP in both protein and mRNA levels in ANIT-induced liver injury with cholestasis. CONCLUSION: TFA exerted protective effects against ANIT-induced liver injury. The possible mechanisms could be related to anti-oxidative damage, anti-inflammation and regulating the expression of hepatic transporters. It layed the foundation for the further research on the mechanisms of cholestasis as well as the therapeutic effects of A. manihot (L.) Medic for the treatment of jaundice.

Matrine ameliorates experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis by modulating chemokines and their receptors.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) and its animal model, experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), are autoimmune diseases characterized by immune-mediated neuroinflammation, demyelination and neurodegeneration of the central nervous system (CNS). While matrine (MAT), a monomer that is used in traditional Chinese medicine as an anti-inflammatory treatment, delayed onset and ameliorated severity of EAE, the underlying mechanisms have not been fully elucidated. In this study, we investigated the relationship between the clinical effect of MAT and the levels of certain important chemokines/chemokine receptors. Our results showed that attenuated severity of EAE resulting from MAT treatment was positively correlated with the reduction of CCL2 and CXCL10 levels in the periphery and the CNS; both of these chemokines play a crucial role in the recruitment and accumulation of inflammatory cells, especially monocytes/macrophages and T cells, into the CNS. The levels of their corresponding receptors, CCR2 and CXCR3, were also significantly reduced after MAT treatment. Taken together, our data indicate that MAT may be an effective immunomodulatory therapeutic approach for MS/EAE by countering the immune cell recruitment mechanisms.

Matrine protects neuro-axon from CNS inflammation-induced injury.

Neuro-axonal injury in the central nervous system (CNS) is one of the major pathological hallmarks of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), an experimental model of multiple sclerosis (MS). Matrine (MAT), a quinolizidine alkaloid derived from the herb Radix Sophorae Flave, has recently been shown to effectively suppress EAE through an anti-inflammatory mechanism. However, whether MAT can also protect myelin/axons from damage is not known. In the present study we show that, while untreated rats developed severe clinical disease, CNS inflammatory demyelination, and axonal damage, these clinical and pathological signs were significantly reduced by MAT treatment. Consistently, MAT treatment reduced the concentration of myelin basic protein in serum and downregulated expression of ß-amyloid (Aß) and B-site APP cleaving enzyme 1 (BACE-1) in the CNS. Further, the CNS of MAT-treated rats exhibited increased expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), an important factor for neuronal survival and axonal growth. Together, these results demonstrate that MAT effectively prevented neuro-axonal injury, which can likely be attributed to inhibiting risk factors such as BACE-1 and upregulating neuroprotective factors such as BDNF. We conclude that this novel natural reagent, MAT, which effectively protects neuro-axons from CNS inflammation-induced damage, could be a potential candidate for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases such as MS.

[Growth characteristics and control of iron bacteria on cast iron in drinking water distribution systems].

This study investigated the growth characteristics of iron bacteria on cast iron and relationship between suspended and attached iron bacteria. The steady-state growth of iron bacteria would need 12 d and iron bacteria level in effluents increased 1 lg. Hydraulics influence on iron bacteria level and detachment rate of steady-state attached iron bacteria was not significant. But it could affect the time of attached iron bacteria on cast-iron coupons reaching to steady state. When the chlorine residual was 0.3 mg/L, the iron bacteria growth could be controlled effectively and suspended and attached iron bacteria levels both decreased 1 lg. When the chlorine residual was more than 1.0 mg/L, it could not inactivate the iron bacteria of internal corrosion scale yet. There was little effect on inhibiting the iron bacteria growth that the chlorine residual was 0.05 mg/L in drinking water quality standard of China. The iron bacteria on coupons reached to steady state without disinfectant and then increased the chlorine residual to 1.25 mg/L, the attached iron bacteria level could decrease 2 lg to 3 lg. Under steady-state, the suspended iron bacteria levels were linearly dependent on the attached iron bacteria. The control of iron bacteria in drinking water distribution systems was advanced: maintaining the chlorine residual (0.3 mg/L), flushing the pipeline with high dosage disinfectant, adopting corrosion-resistant pipe materials and renovating the old pipe loop.

Factors affecting bacterial growth in drinking water distribution system.

OBJECTIVE: To define the influence of some parameters, including assimilable organic carbon (AOC), chloramine residual, etc. on the bacterial growth in drinking water distribution systems. METHODS: Three typical water treatment plants in a northern city (City T) of China and their corresponding distribution systems were investigated. Some parameters of the water samples, such as heterotrophic plate content (HPC), AOC, COD(Mn), TOC, and phosphate were measured. RESULTS: The AOC in most water samples were more than 100 microg/L, or even more than 200 microg/L in some cases. The HPC in distribution systems increased significantly with the decrease of residual chlorine. When the residual chlorine was less than 0.1 mg/L, the magnitude order of HPC was 10(4) CFU/mL; when it was 0.5-0.7 mg/L, the HPC was about 500 CFU/mL. CONCLUSION: For controlling the biostability of drinking water, the controlling of AOC and residual chlorine should be considered simultaneously. The influence of phosphors on the AOC tests of water is not significant. Phosphors may not be the limiting nutrient in the water distribution systems.

[Relationship between phosphorus and bacterial regrowth in drinking water].

Limitation of phosphorus on bacterial regrowth was studied in source water, water treatment process and a main distribution pipe of J waterwork in T city, by modified assimilable organic carbon (AOC) method and microbially available phosphorus (MAP) analysis. Based on the study, the result showed that: (1) Concentration of MAP was higher in source water and water treatment process, which was 5-38 microg/L (PO4(3-)-P). However in water distribution system, concentration of MAP was lower, which was less than 5 microg/L (PO4(3-)-P). It changed very little in distribution system. (2) Traditional treatment process can remove MAP efficiently 34.0%-83.7% of MAP can be removed in the process. (3) Generally in source water and water treatment process, there was no evident difference between AOC(potential), AOC(P) and AOC(native). So AOC was the most important factor of bacterial growth. In the main distribution pipe, the concentration of AOC(potential) and AOC(P) were 2-8.7 times of the concentration of AOC(native). So phosphorus limited bacterial regrowth.

Phosphorus limitation in biofiltration for drinking water treatment.

Bacterial growth potential (BGP) method and two parallel pilot-scale biofilters were used to investigate phosphorus limitation and its effect on the removal of organic matters in biofiltration for drinking water treatment. Addition of phosphorus can substantially increase the BGPs of the samples. Its effect was equivalent to that of addition of a mixture of various inorganic nutrients including phosphorus. The biofilter with phosphate added into its influent performed a higher biological stability of the effluent and a higher COD(Mn) removal than the control filter. These results suggested that phosphorus was the limiting nutrient in the biofiltration and the removal efficiency of organic matters could be improved by adding phosphate into the influent.

Improving removal efficiency of organic matters by adding phosphorus in drinking water biofiltration treatment.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate phosphorus limitation and its effect on the removal efficiency of organic matters in drinking water biological treatment. METHODS: Bacterial growth potential (BGP) method and a pair of parallel pilot-scale biofilters were used for the two objectives, respectively. RESULTS: The addition of phosphorus could substantially increase the BGPs of the water samples and the effect was stronger than that of the addition of carbon. When nothing was added into the influents, both CODMn removals of the parallel biofilters (BF1 and BF2) were about 15%. When phosphate was added into its influent, BF1 performed a CODMn removal, 6.02 percentage points higher than the control filter (BF2) and its effluent had a higher biological stability. When the addition dose was < 20 micrograms.L-1, no phosphorus pollution would occur and there was a good linear relationship between the microbial utilization of phosphorus and the removal efficiency of organic matters. CONCLUSIONS: Phosphorus was a limiting nutrient and its limitation was stronger than that of carbon. The addition of phosphate was a practical way to improve the removal efficiency of organic matters in drinking water biological treatment.