Study on mechanism of Phytolaccae Radix and its split components based on network pharmacology / 中国中药杂志

This paper aimed to explore the mechanism of the split components of Phytolaccae Radix by means of network pharmaco-logy. Based on the theoretical hypothesis of the nature and taste of traditional Chinese medicine, the chemical components of the separated components of Phytolaccae Radix were selected by using Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database(TCMSP) and Traditional Chinese Medicines IntegratedDatabase(TCMID) databases in combination with related literatures. Relevant target analysis was carried out based on PubChem and SwissTargetPrediction databases. Targets corresponding to disease were excavated based on GeneCards for each split component, corresponding potential targets were obtained through mapping the target set of target compounds to disease targets. GO biological process analysis and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis were performed on the mapped targets with the help of DAVID database. Based on Cytoscape software and the corresponding efficacy, the network diagram of "medicinal material-split components-compound-target-pathway" was constructed to explore the mechanism of different efficacy of the separated components of Cytoscape. And the target purgation and diuretic mapping was used as the target of the traditional efficacy of smoothening secretion for the first time. The study explored esculentoside component, fatty oil component and phenolic acid component, a total of 30 target compounds and 301 corresponding targets, involving 44 potential targets for "anti-inflammatory", 50 potential targets for "immunoregulation", 52 potential targets for "smoothening secretion", 28 potential targets for "antibacterial activity", 28 potential targets for "antiviral effect", and 29 potential targets for "antitumor effect". Topological analysis revealed 14 key gene targets such as MAPK8, MAPK14, EGFR and PTGS2. A total of 684 GO entries and 235 KEGG pathways were obtained through bioinformatics enrichment analysis, mainly involving TNF signaling pathway, NF-kappaB signaling pathway and MAPK signaling pathway. This study revealed the multi-component, multi-target, and multi-channel action mechanism of the split components of Phytolaccae Radix, which provided certain basis for the next step to clarify the split components of Phytolaccae Radix through the method of system biology, and injected new content and significance into the study of properties and flavors theory.

Optimization of polysaccharide extraction from Hippocampus by deep neural network and Box-Behnken design-response surface methodology / 中国中药杂志

In this paper, the extraction rate of crude polysaccharides and the yield of polysaccharides from Hippocampus served as test indicators. The comprehensive evaluation indicators were assigned by the R language combined with the entropy weight method. The Box-Behnken design-response surface methodology(BBD-RSM) and the deep neural network(DNN) were employed to screen the optimal parameters for the polysaccharide extraction from Hippocampus. These two modeling methods were compared and verified experimentally for the process optimization. This study provides a reference for the industrialization of effective component extraction from Chinese medicinals and achieves the effective combination of modern technology and traditional Chinese medicine.

Progress in Research on Effect of Processing on Chemical Constituents and Pharmacological Effect of Notoginseng Radix et Rhizoma / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Notoginseng Radix et Rhizoma, one of precious and important traditional Chinese medicinal herb, has the functions of dispersing blood stasis and stopping bleeding, detaching swelling and alleviating pain, and invigorating Qi and blood. It is a traditional Chinese medicine for promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis. After processing, the efficacy of Notoginseng Radix et Rhizoma was obviously different, the raw products mainly dispersed blood stasis and hemostasis, while the main effect of processed products was to replenish blood and Qi. In recent years, more attention has been paid to Notoginseng Radix et Rhizoma research, mainly focusing on the chemical constituent, pharmacological action and clinical application of the raw products. Although the research on processed Notoginseng Radix et Rhizoma has been increasing in these years, the mechanism of processing and the changes of bioactive constituents before and after processing are still unclear. This paper systematically summarized the modern processing methods of Notoginseng Radix et Rhizoma and compared the changes in chemical constituent and pharmacological action before and after processing through literature search. It is proposed that modern technologies should be put forward to study the correlation between the chemical constituent transformation and enriching blood as the breakthrough point, in order to explain the processing mechanism of Notoginseng Radix et Rhizoma, improve the quality evaluation system of this decoction pieces, and provide guarantee for the safety and effectiveness of its clinical medication.

Clinical application and mechanism of traditional Chinese medicine in treatment of lung cancer / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

Lung cancer is a malignant tumor characterized by a rapid proliferation rate, less survivability, high mortality, and metastatic potential. This review focuses on updated research about the clinical application of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) as an adjuvant therapy to lung cancer treatment and the mechanisms of TCM effect on lung cancer in vitro and in vivo. We summarized the recent 5 years of different research progress on clinical applications and antitumor mechanisms of TCM in the treatment of lung cancer. As a potent adjuvant therapy, TCM could enhance conventional treatments (chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and epidermal growth factor receptors [EGFRs] tyrosine kinase inhibitors [TKIs]) effects as well as provide synergistic effects, enhance chemotherapy drugs chemosensitivity, reverse drug resistance, reduce adverse reactions and toxicity, relieve patients' pain and improve quality of life (QOL). After treating with TCM, lung cancer cells will induce apoptosis and/or autophagy, suppress metastasis, impact immune reaction, and therapeutic effect of EGFR-TKIs. Therefore, TCM is a promisingly potent adjuvant therapy in the treatment of lung cancer and its multiple mechanisms are worthy of an in-depth study.

The mechanisms of traditional Chinese medicine underlying the prevention and treatment of atherosclerosis / 中国天然药物

Atherosclerosis (AS) is a chronic inflammatory disease associated with high morbidity and mortality. The incidence of AS is increasing in the last decades. So development of safe and effective therapeutics for treating AS has become prominently important. Although there are numerous chemical drugs available for treating AS, some drugs are not effective and some have serious side effects. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has a long history for the prevention and treatment of AS due to its less side effects and superior efficacy. This paper describes the effectiveness and underlying mechanisms for prevention and treatment of AS by TCM or its active components. Some TCM, e.g. XuemaiNing, Tongxinluo and Salvia miltiorrhiza have been reported to have cardio-protective effect. Some active components of TCM, e.g. saikosaponin-A, kuwanon G, luteolin and β-elemene have been isolated from various TCM and demonstrated to have beneficial effects on prevention and treatment of AS.

Antibacterial Activity and Chemical Constituents of Sojae Semen Praeparatum / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective:To study the antibacterial activity and chemical constituents of Sojae Semen Praeparatum as a traditional Chinese medicine. Method:Sojae Semen Praeparatum was extracted with 80% ethanol,and the extracts were suspended in an appropriate amount of distilled water and extracted with petroleum ether,ethyl acetate and water saturated n-butanol in turn. The antibacterial activity in vitro was used for screening the active fractions. Using activity-guided-isolation,the active fractions were isolated and purified by silica gel column chromatography and preparative HPLC and other methods. Their structures were identified by physicochemical properties and spectroscopic analysis, such as 1H-NMR,13C-NMR and MS. Result:The ethyl acetate fraction of 80% ethanol extract from Sojae Semen Praeparatum showed a stronger activity and was studied further. Eighteen compounds were isolated, and eleven compounds were identified as daidzein (1),daidzin (2),genistein (3),genistin (4),glycitein (5),glycitin (6),daucosterol (7),thymine (8),adenine (9),uracil (10),uridine (11). Conclusion:The ethyl acetate fraction of 80% ethanol extract from Sojae Semen Praeparatum shows an antibacterial activity. Compounds 1-6 are isoflavones. Compounds 7-11 are isolated from Sojae Semen Praeparatum for the first time.

Lipid-lowering Activity and Mechanism of Allii Sativi Bulbus / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Preliminary results have been achieved in the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in China, but the number of CVD patients will continue to grow rapidly in the next 10 years. Generally speaking, the prevalence and mortality of CVD in China are still on the rise. CVD has worsened and become a major public health problem. It is urgent to prevent CVD. Therefore, the development of safe, effective and inexpensive drugs for the prevention and treatment of CVD is a livelihood project of great significance. Allii Sativi Bulbus, as a commonly used medicinal and edible herbal medicine, has rich resources and a long history of application. Since the 1980s, many studies on Allii Sativi Bulbus have been carried out by global scholars. The results show that Allii Sativi Bulbus has the effects in reducing blood lipid, preventing atherosclerosis, lowering blood pressure, resisting myocardial ischemia and treating other cardiovascular diseases, with many pharmacological activities such as anti-tumor, anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, insecticidal, regulating immunity, anti-oxidation, free radical scavenging activities. Focusing on the regulation of blood lipid metabolism by Allii Sativi Bulbus, the latest literatures at home and abroad have been consulted. Both basic research and clinical trials have shown that Allii Sativi Bulbus has a good hypolipidemic effect. Its mechanism is mainly related to the inhibition of key enzymes in the process of lipid synthesis and related factors regulating lipid metabolism. In this paper, the hypolipidemic effect and molecular mechanism of garlic were reviewed to define its research trends and problems, and provide reference for further research and clinical application of Allii Sativi Bulbus.

Phytochemistry and pharmacology of genus Ephedra / 中国天然药物

The genus Ephedra of the Ephedraceae family contains more than 60 species of nonflowering seed plants distributed throughout Asia, America, Europe, and North Africa. These Ephedra species have medicinal, ecological, and economic value. This review aims to summarize the chemical constituents and pharmacological activities of the Ephedra species to unveil opportunities for future research. Comprehensive information on the Ephedra species was collected by electronic search (e.g., GoogleScholar, Pubmed, SciFinder, and Web of Science) and phytochemical books. The chemical compounds isolated from the Ephedra species include alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, polysaccharides, and others. The in vitro and in vivo pharmacological studies on the crude extracts, fractions and few isolated compounds of Ephedra species showed anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antibacterial, antioxidant, hepatoprotective, anti-obesity, antiviral, and diuretic activities. After chemical and pharmacological profiling, current research is focused on the antibacterial and antifungal effects of the phenolic acid compounds, the immunosuppressive activity of the polysaccharides, and the antitumor activity of flavonoids.

Proteomics and its application to determine mechanism of action of traditional Chinese medicine / 中国中药杂志

There is no doubt that the traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) is effective, practical and scientific after it was used for thousands of years. However, the mechanisms of action of many TCM are still unclear because of their multi-component, multi-target and multi-level features, which hinder the modernization and internationalization of the TCM. Proteomics is to analyze the composition and activity of intracellular proteins which are changing dynamically from a holistic perspective. It is consistent with the holistic and dynamic views of the TCM and brings about the hope of clarifying the mechanism of action of the TCM. In recent years, great progress has been made in the application of proteomics to determine the mechanism of the TCM. This article introduced the core technologies of proteomics and systematically summarized the applications of proteomics in the study of the mechanism of the Chinese medicinal formulae, single Chinese medicine and monomeric compounds from the TCM to provide innovative ideas and methods for reference.

Phytochemistry and pharmacology of genus Ephedra / 中国天然药物

The genus Ephedra of the Ephedraceae family contains more than 60 species of nonflowering seed plants distributed throughout Asia, America, Europe, and North Africa. These Ephedra species have medicinal, ecological, and economic value. This review aims to summarize the chemical constituents and pharmacological activities of the Ephedra species to unveil opportunities for future research. Comprehensive information on the Ephedra species was collected by electronic search (e.g., GoogleScholar, Pubmed, SciFinder, and Web of Science) and phytochemical books. The chemical compounds isolated from the Ephedra species include alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, polysaccharides, and others. The in vitro and in vivo pharmacological studies on the crude extracts, fractions and few isolated compounds of Ephedra species showed anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antibacterial, antioxidant, hepatoprotective, anti-obesity, antiviral, and diuretic activities. After chemical and pharmacological profiling, current research is focused on the antibacterial and antifungal effects of the phenolic acid compounds, the immunosuppressive activity of the polysaccharides, and the antitumor activity of flavonoids.

Comparison of the diuretic effects of Descurainiae Semen, Coicis Semen and Plantaginis Semen / 中成药

AIM To compare the diuretic effects of Descurainiae Semen (DS),Coicis Semen (CS) and Plantaginis Semen (PS),and to observe their mechanical similarities and differences.METHODS Metabolic cage method was applied to investigating the diuretic effects of DS (2.34 g/kg),CS (7.00 g/kg) and PS (3.50 g/kg),whose diuretic mechanisms were studied by cryoscopic method,enzyme method,ion selective electrode method,ELISA and Western blot.RESULTS DS,CS and PS obviously increased saline-loaded rats' urine volume (P ＜ 0.05) and reduced their body weight (P ＜ 0.05) after administration for 7 h,which exhibited no significant effects on urine creatinine (Ucr),serum creatinine (Scr) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN)(P ＞ 0.05).DS showed its diuretic effect mainly by lowering the levels of serum Na +,atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP),brain natriuretic peptide (BNP),pulmonary AQP3,renal AQP1 and AQP2;CS showed its diuretic effect mainly by reducing the levels of serum Na +,Cl-,ANP,pulmonary AQP3,gastric AQP3,renal AQP1 and AQP2;PS showed its diuretic effect mainly by decreasing the levels of serum Na + and Cl-,pulmonary AQP3,gastric AQP3,renal AQP1 and AQP2.CONCLUSION Three medicinal materials have significant diuretic effects without obvious renal harm.DS categorized as a medicinal plant of lung channel and tropism has a great effect on netriuretic peptide system,CS categorized as a medicinal plant of spleen channel and tropism has a great effect on gastric AQP3,and PS categorized as a medicinal plant of renal channel and tropism has a great effect on renal AQPs.

Metabolic study of Mori Cortex on nephrogenic edema in rats / 中成药

AIM To conduct a metabolic research for a better understanding of nephrogenic edema and to assess the integral efficacy of Mori Cortex in rat model.METHODS The serum creatinine,urea nitrogen,albumin and urinary protein levels in rats were detected.UPLC-QTOF-MS was used to detect the urine metabolites changes,Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Orthogonal Partial Least Squares Discriminant Analysis (OPLS-DA)were used to screen potential biomarkers,after whose quantification,Mev software was adopted for heat map draw-ing and hierarchical cluster analysis.RESULTS The model rats manifested significantly increased levels of serum creatinine,urea nitrogen and urinary protein,decreased albumin level,and an obviously excessive amino acid metabolism as well.The 41 identified biomarkers were mainly related to disturbances in phenylalanine,pyrimidine,arginine and proline,glycine,serine and threonine,tryptophan,cysteine and methionine metabolism,and biosynthesis of pantothenic acid and coenzyme A.A reversal trend in aforementioned levels of biochemical indexes and most biomarkers due to the intervention by Mori Cortex signaled an improvement in the metabolic disorder,renal dysfunction and edema.CONCLUSION The metabolic study demonstrates the pathological status of nephrogenic edema and assesses the effect of Mori Cortex from an overall perspective,highlighting a new approach for illustrating Chinese medical syndrome and the underlying mechanism in the management of traditional Chinese medicine.

Pharmacological effect of combined administration of natures, tastes and components of Chinese herbal compounds / 中国中药杂志

The combined administration of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) aims at comprehensive adjustment of body based on the theory of TCM and the theory of Chinese medicine property. The natures and tastes of TCM are the core of the theory of TCM property. The combined administration of natures and tastes of TCM is one of the important theories of prescription compatibility. The objective of study on the combined administration of natures and tastes of prescriptions according to symptoms of disease is to clarify the compatibility mechanism of prescriptions. The study on the compound compatibility of TCM under the guidance of theory of TCM focuses on the relationship between the composition, dosage and compatibility of TCM by using modern high-tech means. It demonstrates the effective combination of TCM theory and modern technology, and the inheritance and innovation of TCM theory. The study of the effect and mechanism of compatibility of natures and tastes of TCM under the guidance of TCM theory is helpful for the analysis of the compatibility effect and mechanism of TCM based on the pharmacological effect of natures and tastes of TCM. The correlation between the pharmacological effect of natures and tastes of TCM and the pharmacological effect of components were studied by modern informatics, which is beneficial to promote the development of theory of TCM compound. The study of the compatibility between natures, tastes and component of TCM shall pay attention to the combination of pharmacological effects of natures, tastes and component of TCM, so as to define the scientific connotation of the compatibility of TCM, and make full use of the characteristics and advantages of TCM. The methods and pharmacological effects of the combined administration of TCM compounds are reviewed to provide the theoretical basis for the development of new drugs and clinical application.

Research progress on pharmacological effects of separation and combination methods based on traditional Chinese medicine property and flavor / 中国中药杂志

The theory of medicinal properties of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is one of the core theories of TCM, which is an important basis for guiding the clinical application of TCM and the key supporting point for the modernization of TCM. How to study the modernization of TCM under the guidance of traditional Chinese medicine theory has become a great challenge for modern researchers. Currently, the researches in TCM mainly focus on chemical studies such as on active ingredients and effective components, lacking the guidance of traditional Chinese medicine theory, and losing the inherent characteristics of TCM. Therefore, the combination of the theory of TCM and the modernization of TCM and the establishment of research mode that is in line with the characteristics of modernization of traditional Chinese medicine under guidance by the theory of medicinal properties of TCM shall be the top priority in modern Chinese medicine research. The property and flavor of TCM are closely related to its chemical compositions, and also have certain regularity. The researches on the chemical components of TCM, systematic design of property and flavor, as well as the separation and combination of TCM property and flavor are beneficial to the overall analysis of the characteristics of TCM, showing great significance to inherit and carry forward TCM. The pharmacological effects about separation and combination methods based on TCM property and flavor were reviewed in this study, providing theoretical reference for the development of new drugs and the application of TCM.

Photochemistry and pharmacology of 9, 19-cyclolanostane glycosides isolated from genus Cimicifuga / 中国天然药物

The constituents of Cimicifuga plants have been extensively investigated, and the principal metabolites are 9, 19-cyclolanostane triterpenoid glycosides, which often exhibit extensive pharmacological activities. 9, 19-Cyclolanostane triterpenoid glycosides are distributed widely in genus Cimicifuga rather than in other members of the Ranunculaceae family. So far, more than 140 cycloartane triterpene glycosides have been isolated from Cimicifuga spp.. The aim of this review was to summarize all 9, 19-cyclolanostane triterpenoid glycosides based on the available relevant scientific literatures from 2000 to 2014. Biological studies of cycloartane triterpene glycosides from Cimicifuga spp. are also discussed.

Synergistic protective effect of Scutellariae Radix with Phellodendri Chinensis Cortex on Dioscoreae Bulibferae Rhizoma liver toxicity in rats / 中国中药杂志

Dioscoreae Bulibferae Rhizoma (RDB) is commonly used in clinical Chinese medicine. It has been used in many kinds of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), but the toxicity of RDB, easily leads to hepatotoxicity. The objective of the present study is to investigate the synergistic protective effect of Scutellariae Radix (SR) with Phellodendri Chinensis Cortex (PCC) on RDB caused liver toxicity in rats. SD female rats were adopted to establish the hepatotoxicity models by RDB (9 g•kg⁻¹, ig) once daily for 28 consecutive days. After 28 days, liver histological changes were observed, and the activity of transaminase and antioxidant enzymes was evaluated. Morphological and biochemical indicators evaluation showed that, Dioscoreae Bulibferae Rhizoma-induced hepatotoxicity models were successful, and the liver cells were dissolved and swelling with fatty degeneration； inflammatory cells were present in gaps; local punctiformed or lamellar hydropic degeneration was found in liver tissues, with partial necrosis. Indexes of liver function (ALT, AST and ALP) were significantly increased (P<0.05 or P<0.01). The combination of SR and PCC has protective effect on RDB-induced hepatotoxicity in rats. SR+PCC exerted the strongest protective effects against RDB-induced hepatotoxicity. SR, PCC, and SB+CP were observed to exhibit hepatoprotective effect as demonstrated by significant decrease in serum levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) (P<0.05 or P<0.01), and MAD level in liver tissue (P<0.001), significant increase in GSH content in liver tissue (P<0.001), and significant improvement in his to pathologic changes of liver tissues in rats. SR, PCC and their combinations could achieve liver protection effect by reducing ALT, ALP and AST level in serum, increasing GSH level and anti-oxidantability of liver tissues, and reducing hepatic tissue cells injury.

iTRAQ technology combined with 2D-LC-MS/MS to analyze effect of Coptidis Rhizoma on cytochrome P450 isoenzyme expression / 中国中药杂志

Coptidis Rhizoma is commonly used in clinical medicine. It has been widely used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), with the functions of clearing heat, drying dampness, purging intense heat relieve toxins. However, the herb contains complex ingredients, and CYP450 isoenzyme is the main metabolic enzyme of the drug, so it is of important clinical significance to study the effect of Coptidis Rhizoma on cytochrome P450 enzymes. In the experiment, liver tissues of rats were selected and liver microsomes were separated by differential centrifugation. Bicinchoninic acid (BCA) Protein quantitation was done by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay, and iTRAQ (isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantification) was combined with the 2D-LC-MS/MS analysis method for identification of CYP450 proteins. With Coptidis Rhizoma, 30 CYP450 isoenzymes were identified, with 7 proteins significantly increased and 8 decreased in response to Coptidis Rhizoma, while the rest 15 had no change. iTRAQ technology combined with 2D-LC-MS/MS method could be used to comprehensively study CYP450 enzyme, but it is necessary to further evaluate in vitro levels of Coptidis Rhizoma and avoid any potential clinical drug-drug interaction.

Exploring effective components of laxative effect of Anemarrhenae Rhizoma based on Chinese herbal processing theory / 中国中药杂志

Anemarrhena asphodeloides processed by salt and raw product was compared including both chemical composition and laxative function in order to find the possible active substance to cure constipation. Processed and raw Anemarrhenae laxative effect on experimental constipation models was observed as well as chemical composition using UPLC-MS technology and the total sugar content was determined by phenol sulfuric acid method. Processed Anemarrhenae water extract improved excrement more than raw which has significant difference compared with the blank group (P < 0.05). On the other hand, the total ion flow spectrum showed no significant difference in most substance, but the total sugar content was significantly higher than raw product. Anemarrhenae ancient be recognized benefitting for draining body water in traditional Chinese medicine which has been lost in modern books because it is manifested as excellent laxative effect not diuretic effect. Saccharides carbohydrate may have closely relationship with this magically effect.

Relationship between efficacy exertion of diuretic traditional Chinese medicines and aquaporin / 中国中药杂志

In recent years, the discovery and studies on aquaporin have made us have a more in-depth understanding about the physiological and pathological processes of water metabolism. Over years, however, there has been no quantitative study on the target sites of diuretic traditional Chinese medicines at the molecular level. In that case, aquaporin was found to been a new target molecule to explain the efficacy exertion of diuretic traditional Chinese medicines. By studying aquaporin, researchers can understand the implicit meaning of the diuretic effect of traditional Chinese medicines and conduct quantitative studies on the diuretic effect. So far, many scholars have conducted a series of studies in the traditional Chinese medicine field by using the findings on aquaporin and made certain advances. This article provides a summary about the efficacy exertion of diuretic traditional Chinese medicines through target molecule aquaporin.

Cycloartenol triterpenoid saponins from Cimicifuga simplex (Ranunculaceae) and their biological effects / 中国天然药物

The constituents of Cimicifuga plants have been extensively investigated, and the principal metabolites are 9,19-cyclolanostane triterpenoid glycosides, which are distributed widely in Cimicifuga plants, but not in other members of the Ranunculaceae family, and are considered to be characteristics of the Cimicifuga genus. This type of triterpenoid glycoside possesses several important biological activities. More than 120 cycloartane triterpene glycosides have been isolated from Cimicifuga simplex Wormsk. The aim of this review article is to summarize all the major findings based on the available scientific literatures on C. simplex, with a focus on the identified 9,19-cyclolanostane triterpenoid glycosides. Biological studies of cycloartane triterpene glycosides from Cimicifuga spp. are also discussed.