[Mechanism of Taohong Siwu Decoction in treating soft tissue injury based on UPLC-Q-TOF-MS,network pharmacology and experimental verification].

To explore the action mechanism of Taohong Siwu Decoction(THSWD) in the treatment of soft tissue injury(STI) based on UPLC-Q-TOF-MS technique, network pharmacology and experimental verification method. UPLC-Q-TOF-MS technique was used to identify the chemical constituents of THSWD. The active ingredients and predicted target proteins of THSWD were screened out through TCMSP database. Cytoscape software was used to construct the active component-target-pathway network, and STRING database was used for protein interaction analysis. GeneCards and CTD databases were used to screen out relevant targets of STI. GO function and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis were performed through DAVID database. The rat model of STI was constructed, and Western blot was used to verify the effect of THSWD on key targets of relevant pathways. The results showed 40 active ingredients in THSWD, and 141 potential targets and 20 targets of STI. Target enrichment analysis of the active components produced 128 KEGG pathways, which were mainly concentrated in amino acid synthesis and metabolism, disease signaling pathways, apoptosis, inflammation and other relevant pathways. Western blot showed that THSWD intervention could significantly decrease PTGS2, CASP3, NFKB1, p-CASP3 and p-NFKB1, while enhancing the expression of TP53 protein in the STI samples of rats. According to the results of UPLC-Q-TOF-MS, network pharmacology and experimental verification, active ingredients in THSWD may play anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects in NF-κB signaling pathway and apoptotic pathway, thus playing a role in the treatment of STI.

Effect of compound Sophorae decoction in the treatment of ulcerative colitis by tissue extract metabolomics approach.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate how compound Sophorae decoction (CSD) works on rats' models of ulcerative colitis (UC) induced by 2,4,6-trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid solution (TNBS) by metabolomics studies of colon, liver, and kidney tissue extracts. METHODS: Rats with UC induced by TNBS enema were used as models in this study. Metabolic profiles of the three tissues were analyzed and pathway analysis of biomarkers was performed after CSD administration and further integration of metabolic networks. RESULTS: Thirteen biomarkers were screened from colon, liver, and kidney tissue extracts, and the levels of these substances were up- or down-regulated in the model group, but their levels were reversed after CSD administration. These biomarkers were mainly related to Phenylalanine, tyrosine and tryptophan biosynthesis, Phenylalanine metabolism, Glutathione metabolism, Arachidonic acid metabolism, Nicotinate and nicotinamide metabolism, Alanine, aspartate and glutamate metabolism. CONCLUSION: CSD could significantly ameliorate the symptoms of UC by regulating multiple metabolic pathways.

Compound Sophorae Decoction: treating ulcerative colitis by affecting multiple metabolic pathways.

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic refractory non-specific intestinal inflammatory disease that is difficult to be cured. The discovery of new ulcerative colitis-related metabolite biomarkers may help further understand UC and facilitate early diagnosis. It may also provide a basis for explaining the mechanism of drug action in the treatment of UC. Compound Sophorae Decoction (CSD) is an empirical formula used in the clinical treatment of UC. Although it is known to be efficacious, its mechanism of action in the treatment of UC is unclear. The purpose of this study was to investigate the changes in endogenous substances in UC rats and the effects of CSD on metabolic pathways using the metabonomics approach. Metabolomics studies in rats with UC and normal rats were performed using LC-MS/MS. Rats with UC induced using TNBS enema were used as the study models. Metabolic profiling and pathway analysis of biomarkers was performed using statistical and pathway enrichment analyses. 36 screened potential biomarkers were found to be significantly different between the UC and the normal groups; it was also found that CSD could modulate the levels of these potential biomarkers. CSD was found to be efficacious in UC by regulating multiple metabolic pathways.

Effect of compound sophorae decoction on dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced colitis in mice by regulating Th17/Treg cell balance.

OBJECTIVE: Compound sophorae decoction, a Chinese medicinal formulae composed of six Chinese herbs, is effective for the clinical treatment of ulcerative colitis (UC). Some of its effective monomers had been proven to have suppressive effect on UC models. The aim of this study is to further explore the mechanism whether compound sophorae decoction ameliorates dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced mice colitis by regulating the balance between T helper (Th) 17 and regulatory T (Treg) cells. METHODS: Experimental model of UC, established by drinking water with DSS, was treated with compound sophorae decoction and mesalazine. The stool, activity, body weight of the mice, colon length and colon histopathology were observed to evaluate severity of colitis. The concentration of cytokines in colonic tissues were detected by ELISA. The expression of phosphorylated nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-κB) p65, STAT3 and phosphorylated STAT3 in colonic tissues were determined by western blotting and immunohistochemistry. The percentage of Th17 and Treg cells in spleen and mesenteric lymph nodes (MLNs) were detected by flow cytometry. The levels of transcription factor ROR-γt and FOXP3 in colon tissues were detected by qRT-PCR and immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: The aqueous extract of compound sophorae decoction was able to improve the symptoms and pathological damage of mice. The body weight of mice were increased and DAI were significantly decreased; ulcers were slighter than DSS group. The administration of compound sophorae decoction reduced the level of inflammatory factors interleukin (IL)-1ß, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and phospho-NF-κB p65, and also decreased the proportions of Th17 cells in spleen and MLNs and the expression of ROR-γt, IL-17A, STAT3, IL-6 in colonic tissues; while the percentage of Treg cells in spleen and MLNs and the expression of FOXP3, transforming growth factor (TGF)-ß1, IL-10 in colonic tissues were upregulated. CONCLUSION: Overall, this study suggested that compound sophorae decoction significantly improves the symptoms and the pathological damage of mice with colitis and influences the immune function by regulating Th17/Treg cell balance in DSS-induced colitis in mice.

Intervention effects of QRZSLXF, a Chinese medicinal herb recipe, on the DOR-ß-arrestin1-Bcl2 signal transduction pathway in a rat model of ulcerative colitis.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Qingre Zaoshi Liangxue Fang (QRZSLXF) is a Chinese medicinal herb recipe that is commonly prescribed for the treatment of ulcerative colitis. It includes 5 quality assured herbs: Sophora flavescens Aiton., Baphicacanthus cusia (Nees) Bremek., Bletilla striata Rchb.f., Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch. and Coptis chinensis Franch. The main phytochemical ingredient of QRZSLXF includes ammothamnine, sophocarpidine, liquiritin, berberine and indirubin. QRZSLXF has been clinically proven for use in the treatment of ulcerative colitis for over twenty years. In the past ten years, research has confirmed the therapeutic effect of QRZSLXF in ulcerative colitis and partially revealed its mechanism of action. Here, we further reveal the therapeutic mechanism of QRZSLXF in ulcerative colitis. To investigate the role of the DOR-ß-arrestin1-Bcl-2 signal transduction pathway in ulcerative colitis and to determine the effects of QRZSLXF on this signal transduction pathway. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighty-four Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into six groups: normal control group, model group, mesalazine group, and QRZSLXF high-dose, medium-dose group and low-dose groups (n=14). Experimental colitis was induced by trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid (TNBS) in each group, except the normal control group. After modeling, bloody stool, mental state and diarrhea were observed and recorded. Two rats were randomly selected from the model groups adfnd sacrificed on day 3 to observe pathological changes in the colon tissue by microscopy. The rats in the QRZSLXF-treated groups received intramuscular injections of different concentrations of QRZSLXF for 15 days. The rats in the mesalazine group were treated with mesalazine solution (0.5 g/kg/day) by gastric lavage for 15 days. The rats in the normal control group and the model group were treated with 3 mL water by gastric lavage for 15 days. On the 16th day, after fasting for 24 h, the remaining rats were sacrificed and their colon tissues were used to detect the mRNA and protein expressions of DOR, ß-arrestin1 and Bcl-2 by Real-time PCR and immunohistochemistry, respectively. Histological changes in the colon tissues were also examined. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: The expressions of DOR, ß-arrestin1 and Bcl-2 were significantly different among the four groups. The expressions of DOR, ß-arrestin1 and Bcl-2 protein and mRNA were significantly increased in the model group compared with the other groups (P<0.05). In contrast to the model group, the expressions of DOR, ß-arrestin1 and Bcl-2 were significantly decreased in the mesalazine group and the groups that received different doses of QRZSLXF (P<0.05), and there were no statistically significant differences among the mesalazine and QRZSLXF-treated groups (P>0.05). This study indicates that the DOR-beta-arrestin1-Bcl-2 signal transduction pathway may participate in the pathologic course of ulcerative colitis. Moreover, QRZSLXF could attenuate ulcerative colitis by regulating the DOR-ß-arrestin1-Bcl-2 signal transduction pathway.

[HPLC fingerprint of the antiarrhythmic fraction of Valeriana officinalis].

OBJECTIVE: To establish HPLC fingerprints of the Antiarrhythmic fraction of Valeriana officinalis. METHODS: Agilent C18 (250 mm x 4.6 mm, 5 microm) column was used and the acetonitrile-water was chosen as the mobile phase in a gradient mode. The column temperature was 380 degrees C and the detection wavelength was 218 nm. The detection time was 70 min, and the flow rate was 1.0 mL/ min. RESULTS: Fifteen characteristic peaks were indicated in HPLC fingerprints. The relative retention time and the ranges of relative areas of the common peaks were also determined. CONCLUSION: This method is simple and accurate with a good reproducibility and provides a reference standard for the quality control of Valeriana officinalis.