[Mechanism of Liangfu Pills in treatment of functional dyspepsia: based on network pharmacology and experimental verification].

This study aims to explore the potential mechanism of Liangfu Pills in the treatment of functional dyspepsia(FD) based on network pharmacology and molecular docking, and verify the mechanism by animal experiment. The active components of Liangfu Pills were screened from Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform(TCMSP), and the targets of Liangfu Pills were predicted by SwissTargetPrediction. The targets of FD were retrieved from GeneCards. On this basis, the common targets of the disease and the pills were yielded and the protein interaction was retrieved based on STRING. The core targets were screened out, followed by Gene Oncology(GO) term enrichment and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis with DAVID. Finally, molecular docking was carried out with the help of AutoDock Tools to predict the binding degree between the effective components of Liangfu Pills and core targets. A total of 19 active components of Liangfu Pills and 591 FD-related targets were screened out by network pharmacology, of which 253 were common targets of the disease and the prescription. Liangfu Pills was mainly involved in the biological processes of response to drug, negative regulation of transcription, positive regulation of apoptotic process, and cell surface receptor signaling pathway, and the KEGG pathways of hypoxia-inducible factor-1(HIF-1) signaling pathway, serotonergic synapse, tumor necrosis factor(TNF) signaling pathway, cyclic adenosine monophosphate(cAMP) signaling pathway, calcium signal pathway, and inflammatory mediator regulation of transient receptor potential(TRP) channels. The results of molecular docking showed that the key active components of Liangfu Pills had certain binding activity to the targets mitogen-activated protein kinase 1(MAPK1), protein kinase B(AKT1), transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily V member 1(TRPV1), 5-hydroxytryptamine receptor 1 A(HTR1 A), and 5-hydroxytryptamine receptor 2 A(HTR2 A). FD was induced in rats, and then Liangfu Pills was given to FD rats for 7 days. The results showed that Liangfu Pills could significantly relieve the symptoms of FD rats, significantly increase the expression of 5-hydroxytryptamine(5-HT), and down-regulate the expression of TRPV1. Through network pharmacology, molecular docking, and experimental verification, this study proved that Liangfu Pills improved FD through multiple components and multiple targets. The result lays a basis for further research on the mechanism and clinical application of Liangfu Pills in the treatment of FD.

Analysis of Panax ginseng miRNAs and Their Target Prediction Based on High-Throughput Sequencing.

Panax ginseng has been widely and effectively used as medicine for thousands of years. However, only limited studies have been conducted to date on ginseng miRNAs. In the present study, we collected 3 ginseng samples from the Changbai Mountain in China. Small RNA libraries were constructed and sequenced on the Illumina HiSeq platform. Sequencing analyses identified 3798 miRNAs, including 298 known miRNAs and 3500 potentially novel miRNAs. The miR166, miR159, and miR396 families were among the most highly expressed miRNAs in all libraries. The results of miRNA expression analyses were validated by qRT-PCR. Target gene prediction through computational and pathway annotation analyses revealed that the primary pathways were related to plant development, including metabolic processes and single-organism processes. It has been reported that plant miRNAs might be one of the hidden bioactive ingredients in medicinal plants. Based on the combined use of RNAhybrid, Miranda, and TargetScan software, a total of 50,992 potential human genes were predicted as the putative targets of 2868 miRNAs. Interestingly, the enriched KEGG pathways were associated with some human diseases, especially cancer, immune system diseases, and neurological disorders, and this could support the clinical use of ginseng. However, the human targets of ginseng miRNAs should be confirmed by further experimental validation. Our results provided valuable insight into ginseng miRNAs and the putative roles of these miRNAs.

Verification of miRNAs in ginseng decoction by high-throughput sequencing and quantitative real-time PCR.

Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer is a precious traditional Chinese medicine that has been clinically used for over thousands of years. In general, ginseng needs to be prepared to ginseng decoction before taking it. MicroRNAs are a class of small (18-24 nt), single-stranded molecules that regulate gene expression at the post-transcriptional level. Considering that ginseng miRNAs may be bioactive compounds, we used Illumina high-throughput sequencing and quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) to validate the existence of miRNAs in fresh ginseng decoction which have been boiled at high temperature. Our previous studies have demonstrated that there are several miRNAs in fresh ginseng. The roots of fresh Panax ginseng were prepared according to routine methods, from which miRNAs were extracted and sequenced. A total of 43 miRNAs were identified from water decoction by Illumina high-throughput sequencing, belonging to 71 miRNA families. The target genes of these miRNAs were predicted by sequencing, and were annotated by GO, KEGG and Nr databases. The functions of these target genes mainly included plant hormone signal transduction, transcription regulation, macromolecular metabolism and auxin signaling. Nine highly expressed miRNAs (miR159, miR167, miR396, miR166, miR168, miR156, miR165, miR162 and miR394) were verified by qRT-PCR, and the results of Illumina high-throughput sequencing and qRT-PCR were consistent. Results from this study indicate that miRNAs remained stable in P. ginseng after high-temperature boiling. Additionally, Illumina high-throughput sequencing was superior in the acquisition of higher amount of small RNAs.

Three resin glycosides isolated from Argyreia acuta, including two isomers.

In the present study, three compounds were isolated from Argyreia acuta, among them, compounds 1 and 2 were new and Compounds 1 and 3 were isomers. They were separated by several types of columns, such as normal phase, RP, size exclusion and preparative HPLC, and their structures were elucidated by several spectroscopic methods, such as 1D- and 2D-NMR and HR-TOF-MS.

Four Pentasaccharide Resin Glycosides from Argyreia acuta.

Four pentasaccharide resin glycosides, acutacoside F-I (1-4), were isolated from the aerial parts of Argyreia acuta. These compounds were characterized as a group of macrolactones of operculinic acid A, and their lactonization site of 11S-hydroxyhexadecanoic acid was esterified at the second saccharide moiety (Rhamnose) at C-2. The absolute configuration of the aglycone was S. Their structures were elucidated by established spectroscopic and chemical methods.

Two novel resin glycosides isolated from Ipomoea cairica with α-glucosidase inhibitory activity.

In the present study, two new compounds from Ipomoea cairica were identified and demonstrated to have α-glucosidase inhibitory activity. They were isolated by column chromatography on silica gel and sephadex LH-20 and finally purified by prep-HPLC, with their structures being elucidated by spectroscopic methods, such as 1D- and 2D-NMR and HR-TOF-MS, and chemical methods. Compounds 1 and 2, named cairicoside A and cairicoside B, were evaluated for α-glucosidase inhibitory activity by the MTT method, with the IC50 values being 25.3 ± 1.6 and 28.5 ± 3.3 µmol·L(-1), respectively.

Two pentasaccharide resin glycosides from Argyreia acuta.

Two new compounds of acutacosides 1 and 2, pentasaccharide resin glycosides were isolated from the aerial parts of Argyreia acuta. The core of the two compounds was operculinic acid A, and they were esterfied at the same position, just one substituent group was linked at C-2 of Rha. The absolute configuration of the aglycone in the two compounds was established by Mosher's method, which was (11S)-hydroxyhexadecanoic acid (jalapinolic acid). Their structures were established by a combination of spectroscopic and chemical methods.

[Studies on structure characteristic of polysaccharide P1A from Dicliptera chinensis].

The chemical structures of P1 A was identified by complete acid hydrolysis, partial acid hydrolysis, periodate oxidation-Smith degradation, methylation analysis, IR and NMR. The results showed that P1 A had a backbone consisting rhamnose, mannose, glucose and galactose. The side chain possessed arabinose and xylose. 1-->, 1-->6 and non-reducing terminal linkages existed in polysaccharide P1A, but there are doubling amount of 1-->2 and 1-->4 linkages. Oxidable linkage of P1 A accounted for 45%, and inoxidable linkage of P1A accounted for 55%. Mannose, glucose and galactose were mainly linked by 1-->2 linkage. Rhamnose, arabinose and xylose were mainly linked by 1-->2 and 1-->4 linkages. PlA contained beta-Glc(1,6)-,beta-Gal(1,3)-,beta-Man(1,4)-beta-Rha,-Glc(1,4)-, Glc(1)-,-Gal(1,4)- and Man(1)-.

A novel acridone akaloid from Atalantia buxifolia.

Study of the chemical constituents of ethanol extract from the aerial parts of Atalantia buxifolia led to the identification of a new acridone alkaloid named as buxifoliadine (1), along with known compounds citrusinine--I (2), N-methylatalaphylline (3), Severinolid (4) and cycloseverinolide (5). Structural elucidation of compound 1 was carried out by a combination of mass spectrometry and (1)H and (13)C NMR spectroscopy analyses.

Pharmacodynamic screening and simulation study of anti-hypoxia active fraction of xiangdan injection.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: The herbal formula Xiangdan injection and its modifications have been used in traditional Chinese medicine for about hundreds years to alleviate pain and promoting blood. AIM: To investigate the anti-hypoxia active fraction of Xiangdan injection. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Xiangdan injection was extracted by ligarine, chloroform, acetic ether, n-butanol and water, represented respectively by A, B, C, D and E. Five extractions were group on the L12(2(5)) orthogonal designed table. NIH mices anti-hypoxia experiment under normal pressure with rats was adopted on the basis of orthogonal design, prediction pharmacodynamics model of TCM prescriptions was established, and the simulation bias was evaluated by combining two scatterplots. The anti-hypoxia active fraction of Xiangdan injection was determined by experiments. RESULTS: The prediction model of TCM prescriptions established in this study can predict the drug actions for different formulas, and PE%

[Studies on the chemical constituents of Dryopteris fragrans].

OBJECTIVE: To study the chemical constituents of Dryopteris fragrans. METHODS: The constituents of CHCl3-soluble portion and ethyl acetate-soluble portion from the alcohol extract were isolated and purified by means of chromatography. All the compounds were identified by their physical characteristics and spectral features. RESULTS: Five compounds were isolated and identified as beta-sitosterol (I), rutin (II), quercetin (III), quercetin-3-O-beta-D-pyranglucoside (IV) and 5,7-dihydroxy-2-hydroxymethyl chromone (V). CONCLUSION: Compounds II - V are isolated from this plant for the first time.

[Simulation study of anti-hypoxia active fraction of Xiangdan injection by support vector machine].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the anti-hypoxia active fraction of Xiangdan injection. METHODS: The anti-hypoxia experiment under normal pressure with mice was adopted on the basis of orthogonal design, and a support vector machine model was established for pharmacodynamics prediction of TCM prescriptions. Moreover, the anti-hypoxia active fraction of Xiangdan injection was determined by experimental confirmation. RESULTS: The prediction model established in this study could predict the drug actions of different formulas. CONCLUSION: As indicated in model prediction and experimental confirmation, the pharmacodynamic actions of several formulas are superior to that of the original formula, and ADE has the best effect.

Three new pentasaccharide resin glycosides from the roots of sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas).

Three new pentasaccharide resin glycosides, batatosides III-V (1-3), were isolated from the roots of Sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas). Saponification of the crude resin glycoside mixture yielded substituents and simonic acid B. The structures of the isolated compounds (1-3) were established through spectroscopic analyses, including high field NMR spectroscopy and HR-ESI-MS, and chemical correlation. The major characteristics of 3 are the presence of three different substituents, especially the substituent of cinnamic acid was seldom. The monosaccharides of 1-3 were proved by GC-MS and the absolute configuration of aglycone was further established as S by Mosher's method with R-methyloxyphenylacetic acid (MPA) and S-MPA.

[Studies on chemical constituents from Ipomoea batatas].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the chemical constituents of Ipomoea batatas. METHODS: Silica gel column chromatography and Sephadex LH-20 were used to separate and purify the compounds from the EtOAc and n-BuOH soluble fraction of ethanol extracts. The chemical structures were elucidated on the basis of physic-chemical properties and spectral data. RESULTS: Four compounds were isolated and identify as citrusin C (1), caffeicacid (2), 3,4-di-O-caffeoylquinic acid (3), 1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-beta-carboline-3-carboylic acid (4). CONCLUSION: Compounds 1-4 are isolated for the first time from I. batatas.