Yinchen gongying decoction mitigates CCl4-induced chronic liver injury and fibrosis in mice implicated in inhibition of the FoxO1/TGF-ß1/ Smad2/3 and YAP signaling pathways.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Liver fibrosis (LF) is a common reversible consequence of chronic liver damage with limited therapeutic options. Yinchen Gongying decoction (YGD) composed of two homologous plants: (Artemisia capillaris Thunb, Taraxacum monochlamydeum Hand.-Mazz.), has a traditionally application as a medicinal diet for acute icteric hepatitis. However, its impact on LF and underlying mechanisms remain unclear. AIM OF THE STUDY: This study aims to assess the impact of YGD on a carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) induced liver fibrosis and elucidate its possible mechanisms. The study seeks to establish an experimental foundation for YGD as a candidate drug for hepatic fibrosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: LC-MS/MS identified 11 blood-entry components in YGD, and network pharmacology predicted their involvement in the FoxO signaling pathway, insulin resistance, and PI3K-AKT signaling pathway. Using a CCl4-induced LF mouse model, YGD's protective effects were evaluated in comparison to a positive control and a normal group. The underlying mechanisms were explored through the assessments of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) activation, fibrotic signaling, and inflammation. RESULTS: YGD treatment significantly improved liver function, enhanced liver morphology, and reduced liver collagen deposition in CCl4-induced LF mice. Mechanistically, YGD inhibited HSC activation, elevated MMPs/TIMP1 ratios, suppressed the FoxO1/TGF-ß1/Smad2/3 and YAP pathways, and exhibited anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. Notably, YGD improved the insulin signaling pathway. CONCLUSION: YGD mitigates LF in mice by modulating fibrotic and inflammatory pathways, enhancing antioxidant responses, and specifically inhibiting FoxO1/TGF-ß1/Smad2/3 and YAP signal pathways.

Relationships between pharmacokinetics and efficacy of Xie-xin decoction in rats with experimental ulcerative colitis.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Xie-xin decoction (XXD) has been used as a classic formula in China for the treatment of gastrointestinal dysfunction such as ulcerative colitis (UC). However, no potential action mechanisms and active compounds had been systematically investigated. AIM OF THE STUDY: To explore the effectiveness and the material basis of XXD in trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS)-induced UC rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: XXD was administered orally for 8 days at a dosage of 2 or 4g/kg/day. Plasma pharmacokinetic properties and colon tissue concentrations of multiple compounds from XXD were detected. Tissue damage scores, production of interleukin (IL)-10 and myeloperoxidase (MPO), expression of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and nuclear factor-kappa Bp65 (NF-κBp65) in colon tissues were examined. Canonical correlation analysis was performed to evaluate the relationships between pharmacokinetics and efficacy to elucidate significantly active compounds of XXD. RESULTS: XXD promoted the recovery of colitis and inhibited the colonic inflammation damage in UC rats by reducing the level of MPO and the expression of TNF-α and NF-κBp65, and increasing the production of IL-10 in colon tissues. Efficacy of XXD was positively related with AUC of five plasma compounds (baicalin, berberine, wogonoside, wogonin, and rhein) and concentrations of six colon tissue compounds (coptisine, jatrorrhizine, palmatine, berberine, baicalein and emodin), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The multiple compounds in plasma and colon tissues from XXD might be the main material basis for therapeutic potentials in UC rats.