Systems pharmacology-based investigation of Sanwei Ganjiang Prescription: related mechanisms in liver injury / 中国天然药物

Liver injury remains a significant global health problem and has a variety of causes, including oxidative stress (OS), inflammation, and apoptosis of liver cells. There is currently no curative therapy for this disorder. Sanwei Ganjiang Prescription (SWGJP), derived from traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), has shown its effectiveness in long-term liver damage therapy, although the underlying molecular mechanisms are still not fully understood. To explore the underlining mechanisms of action for SWGJP in liver injury from a holistic view, in the present study, a systems pharmacology approach was developed, which involved drug target identification and multilevel data integration analysis. Using a comprehensive systems approach, we identified 43 candidate compounds in SWGJP and 408 corresponding potential targets. We further deciphered the mechanisms of SWGJP in treating liver injury, including compound-target network analysis, target-function network analysis, and integrated pathways analysis. We deduced that SWGJP may protect hepatocytes through several functional modules involved in liver injury integrated-pathway, such as Nrf2-dependent anti-oxidative stress module. Notably, systems pharmacology provides an alternative way to investigate the complex action mode of TCM.

Improved stability and oral bioavailability of Ganneng dropping pills following transforming lignans of herpetospermum caudigerum into nanosuspensions / 中国天然药物

The present study was designed to improve storage stability and oral bioavailability of Ganneng dropping pills (GNDP) by transforming lignans of Herpetospermum caudigerum (HL) composed of herpetrione (HPE) and herpetin (HPN) into nanosuspension (HL-NS), the main active ingredient of GNDP, HL-NS was prepared by high pressure homogenization and lyophilized to transform into solid nanoparticles (HL nanoparticles), and then the formulated HL nanoparticles were perfused into matrix to obtain NS-GNDP by melting method. For a period of 3 months, the content uniformity, storage stability and pharmacokinetics test in vivo of NS-GNDP were evaluated and compared with regular GNDP at room temperature. The results demonstrated that uniformity of dosage units of NS-GNDP was acceptable according to the criteria of Chinese Pharmacopoeia 2015J. Physical stability of NS-GNDP was investigated systemically using photon correlation spectroscopy (PCS), zeta potential measurement, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). There was a slight increase in particles and PI of HL-NS re-dispersed from NS-GNDP after storage for 3 months, compared with new formulated NS-GNDP, which indicated a good redispersibility of the NS-GNDP containing HL-NS after storage. Besides, chemical stability of NS-GNDP was studied and the results revealed that HPE and HPN degradation was less when compared with that of GNDP, providing more than 99% of drug residue after storage for 3 months. In the dissolution test in vitro, NS-GNDP remarkably exhibited an increased dissolution velocity compared with GNDP and no distinct dissolution difference existed within 3 months. The pharmacokinetic study showed that HPE and HPN in NS-GNDP exhibited a significant increase in AUC, C and decrease in T when compared with regular GNDP. These results indicated that NS-GNDP possessed superiority with improved storage stability and increased dissolution rate and oral bioavailability.

Effect of foam sclerotherapy for the treatment of oropharyngeal venous malformation / 中华耳鼻咽喉头颈外科杂志

Objective@#To evaluate the safety and efficacy of foam sclerotherapy with polidocanol for the treatment of venous malformation in the oropharynx.@*Methods@#The clinical data of 21 children with venous malformation in the oropharynx treated by foam sclerotherapy were retrospectively analyzed. There were 10 males and 11 females, ranging in age from 1 month to 13 years, with a median age of 2.3 years. MRI was performed in all children, and the diagnosis was further confirmed by radiography. After general anesthesia, the oropharynx was exposed by opening device. Scalp acupuncture was used to pucture lesions and polidocanol foam was injected after the nidus was confirmed by digital subtraction angiography(DSA). The follow-up time ranged from 2-29 months, with a mean time of 15 months. The clinical symptoms, imaging data, therapeutic effects and postoperative complications were evaluated.@*Results@#Total numbers of treatment were 52 times, 1-6 times/case; 13 cases were cured, 7 cases was relieved and no response in one case. Postoperative swelling in 13 cases, fever in 3 cases, local mucosal ulcer in 2 cases, difficult extubation in 2 cases. No nerve injury, swallowing function damage and cardiopulmonary accidents were found in all patients.@*Conclusion@#Foam sclerotherapy with polidocanol in the treatment of venous malformation in the oropharynx is a safe and effective method.

Systems pharmacology-based investigation of Sanwei Ganjiang Prescription: related mechanisms in liver injury / 中国天然药物

Liver injury remains a significant global health problem and has a variety of causes, including oxidative stress (OS), inflammation, and apoptosis of liver cells. There is currently no curative therapy for this disorder. Sanwei Ganjiang Prescription (SWGJP), derived from traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), has shown its effectiveness in long-term liver damage therapy, although the underlying molecular mechanisms are still not fully understood. To explore the underlining mechanisms of action for SWGJP in liver injury from a holistic view, in the present study, a systems pharmacology approach was developed, which involved drug target identification and multilevel data integration analysis. Using a comprehensive systems approach, we identified 43 candidate compounds in SWGJP and 408 corresponding potential targets. We further deciphered the mechanisms of SWGJP in treating liver injury, including compound-target network analysis, target-function network analysis, and integrated pathways analysis. We deduced that SWGJP may protect hepatocytes through several functional modules involved in liver injury integrated-pathway, such as Nrf2-dependent anti-oxidative stress module. Notably, systems pharmacology provides an alternative way to investigate the complex action mode of TCM.

Improved stability and oral bioavailability of Ganneng dropping pills following transforming lignans of herpetospermum caudigerum into nanosuspensions / 中国天然药物

The present study was designed to improve storage stability and oral bioavailability of Ganneng dropping pills (GNDP) by transforming lignans of Herpetospermum caudigerum (HL) composed of herpetrione (HPE) and herpetin (HPN) into nanosuspension (HL-NS), the main active ingredient of GNDP, HL-NS was prepared by high pressure homogenization and lyophilized to transform into solid nanoparticles (HL nanoparticles), and then the formulated HL nanoparticles were perfused into matrix to obtain NS-GNDP by melting method. For a period of 3 months, the content uniformity, storage stability and pharmacokinetics test in vivo of NS-GNDP were evaluated and compared with regular GNDP at room temperature. The results demonstrated that uniformity of dosage units of NS-GNDP was acceptable according to the criteria of Chinese Pharmacopoeia 2015J. Physical stability of NS-GNDP was investigated systemically using photon correlation spectroscopy (PCS), zeta potential measurement, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). There was a slight increase in particles and PI of HL-NS re-dispersed from NS-GNDP after storage for 3 months, compared with new formulated NS-GNDP, which indicated a good redispersibility of the NS-GNDP containing HL-NS after storage. Besides, chemical stability of NS-GNDP was studied and the results revealed that HPE and HPN degradation was less when compared with that of GNDP, providing more than 99% of drug residue after storage for 3 months. In the dissolution test in vitro, NS-GNDP remarkably exhibited an increased dissolution velocity compared with GNDP and no distinct dissolution difference existed within 3 months. The pharmacokinetic study showed that HPE and HPN in NS-GNDP exhibited a significant increase in AUC, C and decrease in T when compared with regular GNDP. These results indicated that NS-GNDP possessed superiority with improved storage stability and increased dissolution rate and oral bioavailability.

In vitro dissolution rate of Liuwei Wuling tablet based on biological potency and integrated dissolution / 中国中药杂志

To explore the feasibility of chemical and biological method in evaluation of the in vitro dissolution rate of Liuwei Wuling tablet (LWT), this experiment investigated the inhibitory effect of LWT dissolving solutions on LX-2 hepatic stellate cells in 0.1% SDS dissolution medium in different dissolving periods. From these results, the cumulative dissolution rate of LWT was obtained based on the cell inhibitory rate. The dissolution rates of deoxyschizandrin, phillyrin, and Specnuezhenide were determined by HPLC method. A novel approach of self-defined weighting coefficient had been created to establish the integrated dissolution rate model. Then f2 similar factor method was used to evaluate the relevance of these two methods. The results showed that f2 values for deoxyschizandrin, phillyrin, Specnuezhenide, and the integrated dissolution were 61, 43, 61 and 75 respectively, indicating that the dissolution of multi-component integration could fully reflect the biological potency of the whole recipe. The dissolution evaluation method for multicomponent integration based on biological activity is expected to be one of the effective means for in vitro dissolution test of LWT.

Chemical constituents contained in aerial parts of Emilia sonchifolia / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the chemical constituents contained in ethanol extracts from aerial parts of Emilia sonchifolia.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>The compounds were separated and purified with various chromatographic techniques, and their structures were identified on the basis of physicochemical properties and spectral data.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Fifteen compounds were separated from ethyl acetate fraction of 90% ethanolic extract and identified as rhamnetin (1), isorhamnetin (2), quercetin (3), luteolin (4), tricin-7-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (5), 8-(2"-pyrrolidinone-5"-yl) -quercetin (6), 5, -2', 6'-trihydroxy-7, 8-dimethoxyflavone-2'-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (7), succinic acid (8), fumaric acid (9), p-hydroxybenzoic acid (10), 4-hydroxy isophthalic acid (11), 3, 4-dihydroxycinnamic acid (12), esculetin (13), isowedelolactone (14) and uracil (15), respectively.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>All compounds except compound 3 were separated from this genus for the first time.</p>

Effect of Tetramethylpyrazine on Expression of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor and Growth of Vascular Endothelium / 国际中医中药杂志

Ligusticum Chuanxiong,a traditional Chinese medicine,has the functions of promoting Qi flow and blood,dispelling pathogenic wind and relieving pain.One of effective constituents extracting from Chuanxiong is tetramethylpyrazine,which has several pharmacological activities and anti-tumor function through inhibiting expression of vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF).Recent relative studies provided scientific basis for a better application oftetramethylpyrazine clinically.

Comparative study of Buyang Huanwu Decoction and the different combinations of its ingredients on neurogenesis following ischemic stroke in rats / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effect of Buyang Huanwu Decoction (BYHWD) and the different combinations of its ingredients on neurogenesis following ischemic stroke in rats.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The model rats of ischemic stroke was established by blocking cerebral media artery with electrocoagulation through craniectomy, and electric stimulation, given from 24 h after blocking, 2 h daily for 15 successive days. They were divided into four groups, Group A treated with saline, Group B treated with BYHWD, Group C treated with BYHWD but earthworm subtracted, and Group D treated with Danggui Buxue Decoction (DGBXD). The expression of 5-bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) in cerebral tissue was determined by immunohistochemical method.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Large amount of BrdU immunoreactive cells presented in the hippocampal region of rats in Group B and C, densely arranged, partial in cluster, with the figure significantly different to that in Group A (P < 0.01), and the amount in the ischemic side was significantly more than that in the opposite side (P < 0.05). While comparing between Group A and D, the amount of BrdU immunoreactive cells in the hippocampal region showed insignificant difference (P > 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>BYHWD has a effect in promoting neurogenesis better than DGBXD.</p>

Effects of Buyanghuanwu decoction on nerve proliferation in rats with sequelae of ischemic stroke / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To examine the effect of Buyanghuanwu decoction (BYHWD) in inducing nerve proliferation in rats with sequelae of ischemic stroke.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A rat model of ischemic stroke sequelae was established by means of craniectomy in which the right common carotid artery was ligated with 4-0 silk thread followed by cauterization of the right middle cerebral artery. Programmed electric shock was administered 24 h after the onset of ischemic stroke for 2 h daily for 20 consecutive days. The rats in sham operation group were not subjected to ligation of the right common carotid artery or right middle cerebral artery occlusion. The rats in the treatment groups were given oral BYHWD for 15 consecutive days. All the rats received repeated intraperitoneal injections of the cell proliferation-specific marker 5-bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU), and the intake of BrdU in the cerebral tissues was determined by immunohistochemistry.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The number of BrdU-immunoreactive cells in the cerebral tissues of BYHWD-treated rats was significantly greater than that in the untreated model group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>BYHWD can promote nerve proliferation in rats with ischemic stroke sequelae.</p>

Effect of buyang huanwu decoction drug serum on expression of p53 and p21 genes in cultured rat's cerebral cortical neuron after hypoxia in vitro / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the effect of Buyang Huanwu decoction (BHD) drug serum on rat's in vitro cultured cerebral cortical neuron apoptosis induced by hypoxia, and on the expression of p53 and p21 genes in hypoxia process.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The model of hypoxia neuron apoptosis was established adopting Daniel method and treated with BHD drug serum. The neuron apoptosis rate was determined by flow cytometry with propidium iodide staining, the p53 and p21 gene expression was tested by immunohistochemical method with flow cytometry.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>BHD could significantly inhibit the neuron apoptosis induced by hypoxia and down-regulate the expressions of p53 and p21 genes.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>BHD shows inhibition on neuron hypoxia apoptosis and down-regulating of the p53 and p21 gene expression is one of its mechanisms.</p>

Studies on the chemical constituents of the aerial part of Cimicifuga foetida L / 药学学报

<p><b>AIM</b>To look for new active constituents from the aerial part of Cimicifuga foetida L.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Various column chromatographic techniques were used for the isolation and purification of the principles. The structures were elucidated on the basis of spectral data and chemical evidences.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Five 9,19-cycloartane triterpenoid saponins and one sitosterol saponin were obtained and identified as cimifoetiside I [12 beta-hydroxycimigenol-3-O-beta-D-galactoyranoside, (1)], cimifoetiside II [(23R,24R) cimigenol-3-O-beta-D-galactopyranoside, (2)], cimigenol-3-O-beta-D-galactopyranoside (3), 12 beta-hydroxycimigenol-3-O-beta-D-xylopyranoside (4), 12 beta-hydroxycimigenol-3-O-alpha-L-arabinopyranoside (5), daucosterol (6).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Compounds 1 and 2 are new and compounds 4 and 5 were isolated from this plant for the first time.</p>

Studies on the new triterpenoid saponin of the aerial part of Cimicifuga foetida / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To find new active constituents from the aerial part of Cimicifuga foetida.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>Various column chromatographic techniques were used for the isolation and purification of the principles. The structures were elucidated on the basis of spectral data and chemical evidences.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Four 9,19-cycloartane triterpenoid saponins were obtained and identified as Cimifoetiside III (25-anhydrocimigenol-3-O-beta-D-galactopyranoside, 1), 25-O-acetyl-cimigenol xylopyranoside (2), 25-O-acetyl-cimigenol galactopyranoside (3), 7 beta-hydrocimigenol xylopyranoside (4).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Compound 1 is new and compound 4 was isolated from this plant for the first time.</p>

Studies on new trierpenoid constituents from the Rhizoma of Cimicifuga foetida / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To find new active constituents from Rhizome of Cimicifuga foetida.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>Various column chromatographic techniques were employed for isolation and purification. The structures were elucidated on the basis of spectral and chemical evidences.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Four triterpenoid compounds were isolated and identified as 7,8-didehydro-27-deoxyactein(1), 24-O-acetylshengmanol-3-O-beta-D-xyl (23R, 24R)[2], cimigenol(3), cimigenol-3-O-beta-D-xyl(4).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Compound 1 is a new compound, 2-4 were obtained from this medicinal material for the first time. The antiosteoporosis activity screening in vitro(by the method of SRB) indicates that Compounds 1, 2 and 4 can promote the proliferation for rat Osteoblastoma cell line (UMR106) at the concentration of 10(-9) kg.L-1.</p>

Studies on the triterpenoid constituents from the aerial part of Cimicifuga foetida L / 药学学报

<p><b>AIM</b>To look for new active constituents from the aerial part of Cimicifuga foetida L.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Various column chromatographic techniques were used for the isolation and purification of the ingredients. The structure were elucidated on the basis of spectral evidences and chemical reaction.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Five compounds were obtained and identified as 23-O-acetylshengmanol-3-O-alpha-L-arabinopyranoside (1), 23-O-acetylshengmanol-3-O-beta-D-xylopyranoside (2), 25-anhydrocimigenol-3-O-beta-D-xylopyranoside (3), cimigenol-3-O-alpha-L-arabinopyranoside (4), cimigenol-3-O-beta-D-xylopyranoside (5).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Compound 1 is a new compound, and compounds 2 and 4 were isolated from this plant for the first time.</p>

Studies on the phenolic acid constituents from Chinese medicine "sheng-ma", rhizome of Cimicifuga foetida L / 药学学报

<p><b>AIM</b>To look for new active constituents from Chinese medicine "Sheng-ma", rhizome of Cimicifuga foetida L.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The compounds were separated and purified by chromatography on silica gel and Sephadex LH-20. Their structures were determined by spectral analysis and chemical reaction.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Eight compounds were obtained and identified as cimicifugic acid (1), esculetin (2), caffeic acid methyl ester (3), 4-O-acetyl-caffeic acid (4), sinapic acid (5), caffeic acid (6), ferulic acid (7), isoferulic acid (8).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Compound 1 is a new compound, and compounds 2-7 were isolated from this plant for the first time.</p>

Study on preventive effect of buyang huanwu decoction on cardiomyocyte apoptosis induced by hypoxia-reoxygenation in rats / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the preventive effect of rats' serum containing Buyang Huanwu Decoction (BYHWD) on cultured cardiomyocyte apoptosis of neonatal rat induced by means of 24 hrs hypoxia and 4 hrs reoxygenation, and to investigate its mechanism concerned with nitric oxide (NO).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Myocyte apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry and ELISA with Annexin V-PI double labeled method. The lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) releasing level was measured with ultraviolet spectrophotometer. The NO concentration was determined by modified Yu method and the concentration of thiobarbituric acid response substance (TBARS) was tested by Ohkawa method.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>BYHWD contained rats' serum could significantly prevent cardiomyocyte from apoptosis induced by hypoxia and reoxygenation. After hypoxia-reoxygenation, the NO, LDH and TBARS levels in the supernatant of cultured liquid treated with BYHWD were significantly lower than those in non-treated cultured liquid, the effect of BYHWD was dose-dependent.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>BYHWD can prevent cardiomyocytes from apoptosis induced by hypoxia and reoxygenation, its mechanism might be related with oxygen free radical and NO scavenging produced during the hypoxia-reoxygenation process.</p>