[Characterization and phylogenetic analysis of complete chloroplast genome of cultivated Qinan agarwood].

"Tangjie" leaves of cultivated Qinan agarwood were used to obtain the complete chloroplast genome using high-throughput sequencing technology. Combined with 12 chloroplast genomes of Aquilaria species downloaded from NCBI, bioinformatics method was employed to determine the chloroplast genome characteristics and phylogenetic relationships. The results showed that the chloroplast genome sequence length of cultivated Qinan agarwood "Tangjie" leaves was 174 909 bp with a GC content of 36.7%. A total of 136 genes were annotated, including 90 protein-coding genes, 38 tRNA genes, and 8 rRNA genes. Sequence repeat analysis detected 80 simple sequence repeats(SSRs) and 124 long sequence repeats, with most SSRs composed of A and T bases. Codon preference analysis revealed that AUU was the most frequently used codon, and codons with A and U endings were preferred. Comparative analysis of Aquilaria chloroplast genomes showed relative conservation of the IR region boundaries and identified five highly variable regions: trnD-trnY, trnT-trnL, trnF-ndhJ, petA-cemA, and rpl32, which could serve as potential DNA barcodes specific to the Aquilaria genus. Selection pressure analysis indicated positive selection in the rbcL, rps11, and rpl32 genes. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that cultivated Qinan agarwood "Tangjie" and Aquilaria agallocha clustered together(100% support), supporting the Chinese origin of Qinan agarwood from Aquilaria agallocha. The chloroplast genome data obtained in this study provide a foundation for studying the genetic diversity of cultivated Qinan agarwood and molecular identification of the Aquilaria genus.

Prevalence and risk factors of sub-health and circadian rhythm disorder of cortisol, melatonin, and temperature among Chinese midwives.

Objective: This study aimed to explore the influencing factors of sub-health and circadian rhythm disorder among midwives and whether circadian rhythm disorder was associated with sub-health. Methods: A multi-center cross-sectional study was conducted among 91 Chinese midwives from six hospitals through cluster sampling. Data were collected by demographic questionnaire, Sub-Health Measurement Scale version 1.0, and circadian rhythm detection. Minnesota single and population mean cosine methods were used to analyze the rhythm of cortisol, melatonin, and temperature. Binary logistic regression, nomograph model, and forest plot were performed to identify variables associated with midwives' sub-health. Results: There were 65 midwives with sub-health and 61, 78, and 48 midwives with non-validation of circadian rhythms of cortisol, melatonin, and temperature among 91 midwives, respectively. Midwives' sub-health was significantly related to age, duration of exercise, weekly working hours, job satisfaction, cortisol rhythm, and melatonin rhythm. Based on these six factors, the nomogram was presented with significant predictive performance for sub-health. Furthermore, cortisol rhythm was significantly associated with physical, mental, and social sub-health, whereas melatonin rhythm was significantly correlated with physical sub-health. Conclusion: Sub-health and circadian rhythm disorder were generally common among midwives. Nurse administrators are supposed to pay attention and take measures to prevent sub-health and circadian rhythm disorder among midwives.

Caffeic acid phenethyl ester suppresses intestinal FXR signaling and ameliorates nonalcoholic fatty liver disease by inhibiting bacterial bile salt hydrolase activity.

Propolis is commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine. Studies have demonstrated the therapeutic effects of propolis extracts and its major bioactive compound caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) on obesity and diabetes. Herein, CAPE was found to have pharmacological activity against nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in diet-induced obese mice. CAPE, previously reported as an inhibitor of bacterial bile salt hydrolase (BSH), inhibited BSH enzymatic activity in the gut microbiota when administered to mice. Upon BSH inhibition by CAPE, levels of tauro-ß-muricholic acid were increased in the intestine and selectively suppressed intestinal farnesoid X receptor (FXR) signaling. This resulted in lowering of the ceramides in the intestine that resulted from increased diet-induced obesity. Elevated intestinal ceramides are transported to the liver where they promoted fat production. Lowering FXR signaling was also accompanied by increased GLP-1 secretion. In support of this pathway, the therapeutic effects of CAPE on NAFLD were absent in intestinal FXR-deficient mice, and supplementation of mice with C16-ceramide significantly exacerbated hepatic steatosis. Treatment of mice with an antibiotic cocktail to deplete BSH-producing bacteria also abrogated the therapeutic activity of CAPE against NAFLD. These findings demonstrate that CAPE ameliorates obesity-related steatosis at least partly through the gut microbiota-bile acid-FXR pathway via inhibiting bacterial BSH activity and suggests that propolis enriched with CAPE might serve as a promising therapeutic agent for the treatment of NAFLD.

[Research progress of circadian rhythm].

Circadian rhythm disorder is a common society issue caused by jet lag,shift work,sleep disruption and changes in food consumption. Light is the major factor affecting the circadian rhythm system. Disruption of the circadian rhythm system can cause damage to the body,leading to some diseases. Maintaining a normal circadian system is of great importance for good health. Ideal therapeutic effect can not only alleviate symptoms of the diseases,but also recovery the disturbed circadian rhythm to normal. The paper summarizes the modeling methods of animal circadian rhythm disorder,diseases of circadian rhythm abnormality,regulation of circadian clock genes and medicine which are related to circadian rhythm to diseases of circadian rhythm disorder.

Integrated network pharmacology and metabolomics to dissect the combination mechanisms of Bupleurum chinense DC-Paeonia lactiflora Pall herb pair for treating depression.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: The compatibility of Bupleurum chinense DC (Chaihu)-Paeonia lactiflora Pall (Baishao) is one of the most accepted herb pairs in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) prescriptions for treating depression. However, the combination mechanisms of this herb pair for anti-depression remain unclear. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this study, the combined effect of Chaihu-Baishao was evaluated by the chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) rat model. Secondly, network pharmacology was constructed to dissect the united mechanisms. Based on the results of network pharmacology analysis, plasma metabolomics based on ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography combined with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-QTOF/MS) was performed to discover the collaborative effect on metabolite regulation. Furthermore, the targets from network pharmacology and the metabolites from metabolomics were jointly analyzed to select crucial metabolism pathways by MetaScape. Finally, the key metabolic enzymes and metabolites were experimentally validated by ELISA. RESULTS: The antidepressant effect of Chaihu-Baishao herb pair was significantly better than Chaihu or Baishao in sucrose preference test (SPT), open-field test (OFT), and forced swim test (FST). In network pharmacology, herb pair played synergetic effect through regulating shared pathways, such as MAPK signaling pathway and arachidonic acid metabolism, etc. Besides, by metabolomics, the herb pair improved more metabolites (14) than a single herb (10 & 9) and has a stronger regulation effect on metabolites. Correspondingly, herb pair adjusted more metabolism pathways (5) than individual herb (4 & 4). Furthermore, the arachidonic acid metabolism was selected as crucial metabolism pathways by a joint analysis of 199 targets and 14 metabolites. The results showed that herb pair regulated arachidonic acid metabolism by synergetic reducing the level of arachidonic acid, and inhibiting the enzyme activity of prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 1 (PTGS1) and prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2 (PTGS2). CONCLUSIONS: This work provided an integrated strategy for revealing the combination mechanisms of Chaihu-Baishao herb pair for treating depression, and also a rational way for clarifying the composition rules of TCM.

[Study on difference of chemical compositions of Guilingji before and after alchemy based on mass spectrometry and multivariate statistical analysis].

UPLC-Q-Orbitrap MS/MS and ICP-MS coupled with multivariate statistical analysis was employed to explore the differences in chemical compositions of Guilingji(GLJ) before and after alchemy.The changes in organic chemical compositions and inorganic elements were observed and 39 differential organic compositions were found in GLJ after alchemy, 24 compounds of which were identified. The differential compositions of GLJ included violet ketones, chalcones, amides, and fatty acids whose contents were increased after alchemy, as well as flavones, isoflavones, dihydroflavones, flavonoid glycosides, and coumarins whose content were decreased after alchemy. This study showed 6 inorganic elements filtered out as markers for distinguishing GLJ before and after alchemy, including B, Si, Mg, K, Cr, and Ni.The contents of Mg, K, Cr and Ni were increased while the contents of B and Si were decreased after alchemy.The difference of the contents after alchemy changed the cold and hot properties of the compound, showing the decrease of dryness, and the hot property was changed to warm and neutral properties; in addition, the membrane permeability and absorption of the compound compositions were improved. In this study, we preliminarily investigated the changes of chemical compositions in GLJ before and after alchemy as well as the effects of alchemy on physical and chemical properties and cold-heat nature of GLJ, laying a foundation for further clarifying the scientific connotation of alchemy process.

[Advances in research of traditional Chinese medicine for promoting bile secretion and excretion].

Cholagogic traditional Chinese medicines refer to those that can promote bile secretion and excretion, strengthen gallbladder contraction and promote gallbladder emptying. They are mainly used to treat cholecystitis, gallstones, cholestasis, biliary tract infection, jaundice hepatitis and other diseases in clinical application. As a traditional medicine in our country, Chinese herbal medicines have many advantages, such as extensive resources, low cost, little or no toxic and side effects, and in addition, it is not easy for animals to produce drug resistance. With the progress of science and technology and the rapid development of traditional Chinese medicine, many achievements have been made in the research of cholagogic traditional Chinese medicines. Traditional Chinese medicine plays a cholagogic role mainly by promoting bile secretion, regulating SCP2 mRNA, FXR, BSEP and efflux transporter protein, dissolving cholesterol, promoting the relaxation of Oddi's sphincter and changing the composition of bile, etc. Traditional Chinese medicine decoction, traditional Chinese medicine preparation, Chinese medicine combined with acupuncture, ear acupoint pressing, soaking bath, western medicine and alike are often used to treat biliary system diseases in clinical practice. The effective rate of combination of traditional Chinese medicine and other methods was significantly higher than that of compound prescription, western medicine, acupuncture and soaking bath alone. General attack therapy and new therapies are also used in clinical treatment. The clinical effect of traditional Chinese medicine is remarkable. By means of literature review, the pharmacological effects, mechanism and clinical application of Chinese herbal medicines and compound prescriptions with gallbladder-promoting effect in the past 15 years were summarized in this paper. At the same time, some existing problems were found and prospects were expected.

Integrated adrenal and testicular metabolomics revealed the protective effects of Guilingji on the Kidney-Yang deficiency syndrome rats.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Guilingji (GLJ) is a well-known traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) prescription for the treatment of Kidney-Yang deficiency syndrome (KYDS). AIM OF THE STUDY: This study aimed to address the protective effects of GLJ against KYDS in rats with pharmacodynamic indicators and target tissues (adrenal gland and testis) metabolomics. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The rats were injected intraperitoneally (i.p) hydrocortisone to simulate KYDS and administered orally of GLJ for 30 days. Traditional pharmacodynamic indicators (body weight, behavioral indicators, biochemical parameters and histological examination) were performed to evaluate the efficacy of GLJ. Furthermore, adrenal gland and testis metabolic profiles obtained by UHPLC-Q Exactive Orbitrap-MS coupled with multivariate analysis were conducted to explore the metabolic regulation mechanism of GLJ. RESULTS: After administration of GLJ, the weight, levels of behavioral indicators and biochemical parameters of rats were increased compared with those of the model group, and the abnormalities of morphology in adrenal and testicular tissues were improved. Furthermore, GLJ had recovering effects via the adjustment of vitamins metabolism, which was accompanied by lipids metabolism, amino acid metabolism and nucleotides metabolism. CONCLUSIONS: The study firstly integrated the target tissues metabolic profiles, which were complementary, and GLJ had protective effects on KYDS rats via the regulation of steroid hormone biosynthesis, oxidant-antioxidant balance and energy acquisition.

Effects of Guilingji on Aging Rats and Its Underlying Mechanisms.

Guilingji (GLJ), a traditional Chinese medicine, is of wide concern because of its remarkable antiaging effect with a long application history. It mainly consists of traditional Chinese herbs, that is, Ginseng radix et rhizoma rubra. This study focused on the anti-aging effects of GLJ on natural aging rats and its underlying mechanisms. Morris water maze was used to determine the learning and memory ability of rats. The levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), malondialdehyde (MDA), acetylcholine (ACh), and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) in serum were determined. Furthermore, a 1H-NMR-based serum metabolomics coupled with multivariate data analysis was used to identify potential biomarkers and corresponding metabolic pathways. The results showed that GLJ significantly improved the learning and memorial dysfunctions of natural aging rats. The mechanisms of the anti-aging and memory ameliorative effects of GLJ related to balancing oxidative stress, improving cholinergic system. Its specific mechanism of action may be through regulating pyruvate metabolism and arginine and proline metabolism.

Metabolic profiling of RB-2 and RB-4, two analogs of polyacetylene from Bupleurum.

RB-2 and RB-4 are two structural analogs of polyacetylene from Radix Bupleuri that show antidepressant effects. However, no metabolic data are available to elucidate their systemic homeostasis. Mass spectrometry combined with liver microsomes and recombinant drug-metabolizing enzymes were performed to profile the biotransformations of RB-2/RB-4 in vitro and in vivo. Oxidation should be the major metabolic pathways for them in phase I, while CYP2C9 and CYP2E1 was the major contributor. In phase II, conjugational groups usually combined with the metabolites from phase I. This study provides an important reference basis for the safety evaluation and rational application of RB-2/RB-4.

1H NMR-based metabolomics revealed the protective effects of Guilingji on the testicular dysfunction of aging rats.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Guilingji (GLJ), a famous and classical traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) prescription, has been used to extend the lifespan and improve the life qualities of the elderly for hundreds of years in China. AIM OF THE STUDY: We aimed to explore the protective effects of GLJ on the testicular dysfunction of aging rats, as well as the regulating effects of GLJ on the metabolic disturbance and metabolite changes in natural aging rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty 23-month-old rats were divided randomly into four groups, including the old control group and three groups of GLJ treatment at 37.5, 75, and 150 mg/kg doses, respectively. Additionally, 10 four-month rats were included as the youth control group. Testicular dysfunction was first evaluated by measuring the changes in the wet weights of the testicles, concentration of serum testosterone (T), and morphologic changes of the testis. Subsequently, an 1H NMR-based metabolomics approach coupled with multivariate analysis, including partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) and orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) was applied to monitor the metabolite changes. RESULTS: Compared with the old control group, the wet weights of the testicles and T concentration were significantly increased, while the morphologic abnormality of testicular tissues was improved by a 4-week treatment course with GLJ. Furthermore, compared with the old control group, the urinary levels of alanine, pantothenate, phenylalanine, ß-hydroxybutyrate and pyruvate were significantly decreased after a 4-week treatment course with GLJ. Additionally, we found that amino acid metabolism and pyruvate metabolism were significantly involved in the regulatory effect of GLJ. CONCLUSIONS: The current findings provided, for the first time, sound evidence of the protective effects of GLJ on testicular dysfunction from both biochemical and metabolomics perspectives. The mechanisms of GLJ could be related to regulating amino acid metabolism and pyruvate metabolism. The current study lays an important foundation for further research and for the broad clinical application of GLJ.

[Analysis and evaluation of chemically induced artificial agarwood].

In this study,the content of ethanol extraction of agarwood were performed following the method of Chinese Pharmacopoeia(ChP 2015 edition). The chromatographic fingerprints were established by GC-MS. Similarity Evaluation System for Chromatographic Fingerprint of traditional Chinese medicine（TCM）(version 2012) was employed to calculate the similarity of each chromatogram of agarwood. The ratios of sum peak area in the range of 170-270 min and 0-100 min of individual chromatogram were calculated using square peaks to normalization. AMDIS and RI were employed to identify the common and different peaks. Correlation coefficient P(corr) combined with Variable important in projection(VIP) value was employed to screen the different representative components based on OPLS-DA analysis. Grey related degree and TOPSIS were used to evaluate the quality of artificial agarwoods. The results showed that more than 10.0% of the ethanol extract content was found in 15 batches of artificial agarwoods among the total 18. The similarity of 18 batches artificial agarwoods was 0.439-0.779. The peak area ratios of two intervals were in the range of 0.307-13.254. The 9 common components and 8 different components were identified. Meanwhile, 2% salicylic acid is the best inducer based on grey related degree and TOPSIS. Grey related degree and TOPSIS can be used to evaluate the quality of artificial agarwoods rapidly. These results provide a reference data to evaluate the qualityof artificial agarwood.

[Sesquiterpenoids of endophytic fungus Cerrena sp. from Pogostemon cablin and their cytotoxic activities].

The secondary metabolites of endophytic fungus Cerrena sp.A593 from Pogostemon cablin and their cytotoxic activities were investigated. Eight sesquiterpenoids were isolated from the fermentation broth of the strain A593 by silica gel, reverse phase silica gel, Sephadex LH-20, HPLC and so on. Their structures were identified as chloriolin B(1), chloriolin C(2), pleurocybellone A(3), dihydrohypnophilin(4), cucumin F(5), antrodin A(6), 10α-hydroxyamorphan-4-en-3-one(7), and connatusin A(8). Compounds 1- 8 were firstly found from the genus Cerrena. All isolated sesquiterpenoids were evaluated for in vitro cytotoxic activities against HepG-2, SF-268, MCF-7 and NCI-H460 tumor cell lines. Compounds 1-3 showed inhibitory activities against the four tumor cell lines with IC50 values ranging from 20.33 to 63.13 µmol•L⁻¹.

[Quantitative analysis of eight polyacetylenes derived from Bupleuri Radix by ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with photodiode array detector].

To establish quantitative methods for determination of polyacetylenes in Bupleuri Radix, an ultra-performance liquid chromatography method coupled with photodiode array detector (UPLC-PDA) was developed. The analysis was performed on a Waters BEH C18 column (2.1 mm×100 mm, 1.7 µm) using a gradient system of methanol and water. The flow rate was 0.3 mL•min⁻¹ and the detection wavelength was 315 nm. Eight polyacetylenes were prepared using traditional extraction and isolation method, of which compounds 7 and 8 were two new polyacetylenes. All calibration curves showed good linearity (r>0.999 0) within the concentration range. Both the intra- and inter-day precisions for eight analytes were less than 1.9%, respectively, with the mean recovery at the range of 93.21%-108.4%. Meanwhile, 17 bupleurum samples were examined with this process. The results showed a variety either the chemotaxonomic or content of polyacetylenes. The method indicated good linearity, limit of detection and quantification, precision, accuracy and recovery. The developed method allows quantitative assessment and quality control of polyacetylenes, and might be a good alternative according to detection levels in polyacetylenes from Bupleurum Radix.

A GC-MS urinary quantitative metabolomics analysis in depressed patients treated with TCM formula of Xiaoyaosan.

Xiaoyaosan, one of the best-known traditional Chinese medicine prescriptions, has been widely used in China for the treatment of mental disorders such as depression. Although both clinical application and animal experiments indicate that Xiaoyaosan has an obvious antidepressant effect, the mechanism still remains unclarified, and there are few studies quantitatively measured the biomarkers of Xiaoyaosan treatment by metabolomics to determination. In this study, 25 depressed patients and 33 healthy volunteers were recruited. A GC-MS based metabolomics approach and the multivariate statistical methods were used for analyzing the urine metabolites of depressed patients before and after treatment compared with healthy controls. Then the biomakers through metabolomics determination were carried out the quantitative analysis. In total, 5 metabolites were identified as the potential diseased and therapeutic biomarkers of depression and Xiaoyaosan. Alanine, citrate and hippurate levels were significantly increased in the urine samples from depressed patients compared with healthy controls, while phenylalanie and tyrosine levels were significantly decreased. However, after Xiaoyaosan treatment for 6 weeks, phenylalanie and tyrosine levels were significantly increased (p<0.05) and alanine, citrate and hippurate levels significantly decreased (p<0.05). Xiaoyaosan has a good priority on the treatment of depression and the ability to adjust the neurotransmitters to obtain the best treated response and also could regulate the metabolism of amino acids and promote to produce energy meet the needs of the body.

[Effect of Grade and Steaming Time on Quality of Cultivated Cistanche deserticola].

Objective: To study the correlation between chemical component content and grades of Cistanche deserticola,and then to determine the optimum steaming time of different grades of Cistanche deserticola. Methods: Morphological indexes of postharvest stems of Cistanche deserticola were analyzed by principal component analysis and K-mean cluster analysis to determine a grading standard. Concentrations of phenylethanoid glycosides,polysaccharides,dilute ethanol-soluble extracts and total ashes in dried stems of Cistanche deserticola were determined using high performance liquid chromatography and ultraviolet spectrophotometer. Results: There was no significant relationship between grades and chemical component content. The effect of steaming time was stronger than that of grades on chemical component content. Moreover, the optimum steaming time of grade Ⅰwas 30 min,of grade Ⅱ and Ⅲ were both 20 min. Conclusion: It is suggested that postharvest Cistanche deserticola should be divided into three grades and steamed for a certain time.

[Variation and correlation analysis on phenotypic traits of Scutellaria baicalensis from different strains].

To research the differences and correlation between Scutellaria baicalensis about phenotypic traits of different strains, 10 aboveground traits and 6 root traits of S. baicalensis in two-year-transplanted plants from 14 different strains were compared respectively, and the SPSS 17.0 statistical software was used for data analysis. It showed that phenotypic traits variation of different S. baicalensis strains was rich and the F value ranged from 3.169 to 71.58. The difference was significant between each other and germplasm 15 performs the most outstanding characters. Correlation analysis showed that there existed a significant correlation between the characters except for lateral root number, root diameter and length. The correlation coefficient between the fresh weight of root and the reed head diameter was up to 0.877. Principal component analysis showed that the average of overall yield per plant and root diameter could be used as the comprehensive reference index for germplasm evaluation. The differences and correlations in phenotypic traits of different S. baicalensis strains, provide theoretical basis for distinguishing germplasm and breeding good varieties of S. baicalensis.

Plasma-metabolite-biomarkers for the therapeutic response in depressed patients by the traditional Chinese medicine formula Xiaoyaosan: A (1)H NMR-based metabolomics approach.

BACKGROUND: Depression is one of the most prevalent and serious mental disorders. Xiaoyaosan, a well-known Chinese prescription, has been widely used for the treatment of depression in China. Both clinical studies and animal experiments indicate that Xiaoyaosan has an obvious antidepressant activity. Additionally, a large number of candidate biomarkers have emerged that can be used for early disease detection and for monitoring ongoing treatment response to therapy because of their correlations with the characteristics of the disease. However, there have been few reports on biomarkers that measure the treatment response to the clinical use of Xiaoyaosan using a metabolomics approach. The current study is aimed at discovering biomarkers and biochemical pathways to facilitate the diagnosis of depression and the efficient evaluation of Xiaoyaosan using plasma metabolomics profiles based on (1)H NMR. METHODS: Sixteen depressed patients diagnosed by standard methods (HAMD and CGI-SI) and sixteen healthy volunteers were recruited. (1)H NMR-based metabolomics techniques and multivariate statistical methods were used to analyze the plasma metabolites of the depressed patients before and after treatment and to compare them with healthy controls. RESULTS: The plasma levels of trimethylamine oxide, glutamine and lactate in depressed patients increased significantly (p≤0.05) compared with healthy controls, whereas the levels of phenylalanine, valine, alanine, glycine, leucine, citrate, choline, lipids and glucose decreased significantly (p≤0.05). Additionally, alanine, choline, trimethylamine oxide, glutamine, lactate and glucose were returned to normal levels after Xiaoyaosan treatment. These statistically significant perturbations are involved in energy metabolism, amino acid metabolism and gut microbiota metabolism. LIMITATIONS: Additional experimentation with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) or liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) is required to confirm our findings. CONCLUSIONS: Application of these biomarkers in clinical practice may help to optimize the diagnosis of depression and to evaluate the efficacy of Xiaoyaosan. Metabolomics is promising as a biomarker discovery tool.

[Anti-depressive mechanism of Fufang Chaigui prescription based on neuroendocrine hormone and metabolomic correlation analysis].

To elucidate the anti-depressive effect of Fufang Chaigui prescription and its mechanism and investigate its effect on neuroendocrine hormone, rats were included into a chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) model for 28 d, and drugs were administered at the same time. During the period, rats' behaviors were observed and the blood was collected by using ELISA to determine representative hormone concentrations of HPAA, HPTA and HPGA. The changes in endogenous metabolites were analyzed by using H NMR metabolomics to seek the potential biomarkers. Results showed Fufang Chaigui prescription could improve the behaviors of CUMS rats obviously, increase contents of ACTH, CORT, T3and decrease contents of TSH and TESTO and regulate the levels of lactate, α-glucose, choline, N-acetylglycoprotein, trimethylamine oxide and leucine to get closer to the contents of control group. The results of correlation analysis indicated that HPTA was associated with glycometabolism, amino acid metabolism and choline metabolism. And HPAA was related to glycometabolism and amino acid metabolism. However, HPGA was only correlated with glycometabolism. In conclusion, Fufang Chaigui prescription could show an obvious anti-depressive effect and its underlying mechanism might involve regulations of neuroendocrine function and pathways of glycometabolism, amino acid metabolism and choline metabolism.

[An exploration in the action targets for antidepressant bioactive components of Xiaoyaosan based on network pharmacology].

The present study aims to predict the action targets of antidepressant active ingredients of Xiaoyaosan to understand the "multi-components, multi-targets and multi-pathways" mechanism. Using network pharmacology, the reported antidepressant active ingredients in Xiaoyaosan (saikosaponin A, saikosaponin C, saikosaponin D, ferulic acid, Z-ligustilide, atractylenolide I, atractylenolide II, atractylenolide III, paeoniflorin, albiflorin, liquiritin, glycyrrhizic acid and pachymic acid), were used to predict the targets of main active ingredients of Xiaoyaosan according to reversed pharmacophore matching method. The prediction was made via screening of the antidepressive drug targets approved by FDA in the DrugBank database and annotating the information of targets with the aid of MAS 3.0 biological molecular function software. The Cytoscape software was used to construct the Xiaoyaosan ingredients-targets-pathways network. The network analysis indicates that the active ingredients in Xiaoyaosan involve 25 targets in the energy metabolism-immune-signal transmutation relevant biological processes. The antidepressant effect of Xiaoyaosan reflects the features of traditional Chinese medicine in multi-components, multi-targets and multi-pathways. This research provides a scientific basis for elucidation of the antidepressant pharmacological mechanism of Xiaoyaosan.