[Bioinformatics analysis of the molecular mechanism of Qibaipingfei Capsule in the regulation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease related immune cells].

Objective To investigate the mechanism of the Qibaipingfei Capsule regulating chronic obstructive pulmonary (COPD) related immune cells by analyzing the single-cell transcriptome sequencing (scRNA-seq) data of COPD lung tissue and the pharmacology of Qibaipingfei Capsule. Methods The scRNA-seq data of COPD lung tissue downloaded from the gene expression omnibus (GEO) was used to obtain the COPD related immune cells and the differentially expressed RNA, and the primary active molecular and target genes of Qibaipingfei Capsule were retrieved from the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform (TCMSP). The "active molecules-immune cells-target genes" network was constructed by mapping the target genes of Qibaipingfei Capsules to the differentially expressed RNA of COPD related immune cells, and the Gene Ontology (GO), the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG), and the protein-protein interaction (PPI) were administrated to analyze the molecular mechanisms of target genes. Results Twelve active molecules including quercetin, kaempferol, and formononetin of Qibaipingfei Capsule targeted multiple COPD related immune cells like macrophages, alveolar macrophages, and T cells, and genes like PPARG, JUN, HMOX1, and HIF1A which were primarily collected in pathways such as interleukin 17 signaling pathway, nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) signaling pathway, and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway. Conclusions The Qibaipingfei Capsule may target multiple immune cells and intervene in inflammation and immune-related pathways to regulate the inflammation and immune response of COPD.

The treatment of Qibai Pingfei Capsule on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease may be mediated by Th17/Treg balance and gut-lung axis microbiota.

BACKGROUND: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a prevalent, progressive respiratory disease, has become the third leading cause of death globally. Increasing evidence suggests that intestinal and pulmonary microbiota dysbiosis is associated with COPD. Researchers have shown that T helper (Th) 17/regulatory T (Treg) imbalance is involved in COPD. Qibai Pingfei Capsule (QBPF) is a traditional Chinese medicine used to treat COPD clinically in China. However, the effects of QBPF intervention on the Th17/Treg balance and microbiota in the gut and lung are still poorly understood. METHODS: This study divided the rats into three groups (n = 8): control, model, and QBPF group. After establishing the model of COPD for four weeks and administering of QBPF for two weeks, Th17 cells, Treg cells, their associated cytokines, transcription factors, and intestinal and pulmonary microbiota of rats were analyzed. Furthermore, the correlations between intestinal and pulmonary microbiota and between bacterial genera and pulmonary function and immune function were measured. RESULTS: The results revealed that QBPF could improve pulmonary function and contribute to the new balance of Th17/Treg in COPD rats. Meanwhile, QBPF treatment could regulate the composition of intestinal and pulmonary microbiota and improve community structure in COPD rats, suppressing the relative abundance of Coprococcus_2, Prevotella_9, and Blautia in the gut and Mycoplasma in the lung, but accumulating the relative abundance of Prevotellaceae_UCG_003 in the gut and Rikenellaceae_RC9_gut_group in the lung. Additionally, gut-lung axis was confirmed by the significant correlations between the intestinal and pulmonary microbiota. Functional analysis of microbiota showed amino acid metabolism was altered in COPD rats in the gut and lung. Spearman correlation analysis further enriched the relationship between the microbiota in the gut and lung and pulmonary function and immune function in COPD model rats. CONCLUSIONS: Our study indicated that the therapeutic effects of QBPF may be achieved by maintaining the immune cell balance and regulating the gut-lung axis microbiota, providing references to explore the potential biomarkers of COPD and the possible mechanism of QBPF to treat COPD.

Qiyusanlong Formula Induces Autophagy in Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer Cells and Xenografts through the mTOR Signaling Pathway.

OBJECTIVE: Qiyusanlong (QYSL) formula has been used in the clinic for more than 20 years and has been proved to have pronounced efficacy in the treatment of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). This work aims to evaluate the molecular mechanism of QYSL formula action on NSCLC, specifically in relation to autophagy induction. METHODS: In vitro, CCK-8 was used to detect the effect of QYSL serum on cell viability in A549 cells. In vivo, A549 cells were implanted subcutaneously in nude mice to establish a xenograft model. TUNEL staining was used to measure cell apoptosis and TEM to observe the autophagy-related morphological changes in vitro and in vivo. Western blotting, RT-qPCR, and immunofluorescence were used to measure autophagy-related proteins. In addition, rapamycin (an inhibitor of mTOR and inducer of autophagy) and MHY1485 (an activator of mTOR and inhibitor of autophagy) were used to determine whether QYSL-induced autophagy was regulated by the mTOR pathway. RESULTS: QYSL serum inhibited the cell viability of A549 cells in a concentration-dependent manner. In vivo, the QYSL formula inhibited xenograft growth. The QYSL formula promoted apoptosis in A549 cells and induced autophagosome formation in vitro and in vivo. In addition, the QYSL formula downregulated the expression of mTOR and p62, while it upregulated the expression of ATG-7 and Beclin-1 and increased the LC3-II/LC3-I ratio. QYSL serum inhibited p-mTOR in a similar manner to rapamycin while reducing the activating effects of MHY1485 on p-mTOR. CONCLUSION: The QYSL formula has anti-lung cancer effects and promotes autophagy through the mTOR signaling pathway.

[Qibai Pingfei capsule alleviates inflammation and oxidative stress in a chronic obstructive pulmonary disease rat model with syndromes of Qi deficiency and phlegm and blood stasis by regulating the SIRT1/FoxO3a pathway].

Objective To explore the effect of Qibai Pingfei capsule (QPC) on the inflammation and oxidative stress in a chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) rat models with the syndromes of qi deficiency and phlegm and blood stasis by regulating the SIRT1/FoxO3a pathway. Methods A total of 80 male SD rats were randomly divided into 4 groups with 20 animals in each group: a non-diseased group, a non-treated diseased group, a diseased group treated with QPC, and a diseased group treated with placebo. The COPD rat models with the syndromes of qi deficiency and phlegm and blood stasis were then developed with established protocols. After the corresponding treatments, the serum levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA), interleukine 1ß (IL-1ß), and IL-2 were determined by ELISA; the protein levels of SIRT1 and FoxO3a were quantified by Western blot analysis; the mRNA levels of the SIRT1 and FoxO3a genes were also measured by real-time quantitative PCR. Results First of all, compared with the non-diseased group, the serum levels of MDA, IL-1ß, and IL-2 were elevated in the diseased group, while the level of SOD was reduced. Both mRNA and protein levels of SIRT1 decreased, while the levels of FoxO3a increased in the lung tissues of the diseased group. Compared with the diseased group treated with placebo, the diseased group treated with QPC had reduced serum levels of MDA, IL-1ß and IL-2, elevated SOD, increased mRNA and protein levels of SIRT1 and decreased levels of FoxO3a, thereby restoring their levels partially under the disease state. Conclusion QPC can alleviate inflammation and oxidative stress of COPD rats with syndrome of qi deficiency and phlegm and blood stasis effectively, potentially through regulating the expression level of the SIRT1/FoxO3a pathway.

Intervention effect of Qi-Yu-San-Long Decoction on Lewis lung carcinoma in C57BL/6 mice: Insights from UPLC-QTOF/MS-based metabolic profiling.

Qi-Yu-San-Long Decoction (QYSLD) has been used to treat lung carcinoma for over twenty years in clinical practices, and its curative effect is considered credible. However, the therapeutic mechanism of this effect has not been thoroughly elucidated to date. In this study, a MTT dye reduction assay and DAPI staining were first used to evaluate the cell viability and apoptosis of A549 cells with and without QYSLD-treatment, respectively. The weight/volume of Lewis lung carcinoma (LLC) sarcoma was used to assess the therapeutic effect of QYSLD on LLC mice. Second, an UPLC-QTOF/MS-based untargeted metabolomics method was employed to identify and relatively quantify functional metabolites that were responsible for the intervention effect of QYSLD on LLC. As a result, the MTT dye reduction assay and DAPI staining demonstrated that QYSLD could inhibit the proliferation and induce the apoptosis of A549 cells. The weight/volume test of LLC sarcoma showed that QYSLD could restrain the development of LLC. Next, 21 potential biomarkers that could contribute to the curative mechanism of QYSLD on LLC were screened by the untargeted metabolomics method. The down-regulated metabolites induced by QYSLD included PC(16:0/22:6(4Z,7Z,10Z,13Z,16Z,19Z)), PC(20:2(11Z,14Z)/16:0), PC(22:4(7Z,10Z,13Z,16Z)/14:0), PC(22:5(7Z,10Z,13Z,16Z,19Z)/14:0), arachidonic acid, gamma-glutamylisoleucine, cholesterol sulfate, CL (8:0/10:0/11:0/a-13:0) and CDP-DG (16:0/18:1(11Z)). The up-regulated metabolites were LysoPC(16:0), LysoPC(18:0), LysoPE(18:2(9Z,12Z)/0:0), LysoPE(22:0/0:0), LysoPE(22:1(13Z)/0:0), LysoPE(22:2(13Z,16Z)/0:0), triglylcarnitine, 1­arachidonoylglycerophosphoinositol, 1­palmitoylglycerophosphoinositol, 2­stearoylglycerophosphoinositol, sphingosine 1­phosphate(d19:1-P) and SM(d18:0/16:1(9Z)). The metabolic pathway analysis revealed that the potential biomarkers were primarily involved in glycerophospholipid metabolism, sphingolipid metabolism, steroid hormone biosynthesis, fatty acid degradation and arachidonic acid metabolism. This study demonstrated that QYSLD has a good antitumor effect and that a UPLC-QTOF/MS-based untargeted metabolomics method is a promising means of elucidating the intervention mechanism of traditional Chinese medicine formulas.

Effects of Qibaipingfei capsules on pulmonary vascular relaxation through KATP channel activation by the NO/cGMP signaling pathway.

This research explores the effects of Qibaipingfei (QBPF) capsules on pulmonary vascular relaxation in vitro and the relationship of the ATP-sensitive K+ (KATP) channel and nitric oxide (NO) pathway. Vasodilator effects of QBPF (0.125-2 g/kg) on rat pulmonary artery rings were observed using a multi-wire myograph system. The maximum relaxation (Emax) of QBPF was detected following treatment involving endothelial denudation, Nω-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), 1H-[1,2,4] oxadiazolo[4,3-α]quinoxalin-1-one (ODQ), or glyburide (GLYB). Furthermore, rat models of phlegm and blood stasis syndrome combined with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) were established using compound factors. KIR6.1 and SUR2B protein expression was analyzed by western blotting. After 9,11-dideoxy-11-α],9-α]-epoxy-methanoprostaglandinF2α (U46619) was used to pre-constrict endothelium-intact pulmonary artery rings, QBPF induced the effects of concentration-dependent relaxation at a concentration for 50% of maximal effect (EC50) of 0.56 g/L and Emax of 84.30% ± 6.27%. After the endothelium was denuded, the vasodilator effects reduced significantly (P<0.01). QBPF-induced relaxation was inhibited by L-NAME, ODQ, and GLYB (P<0.01). The vasodilator effect was also attenuated in the model group (Emax=62.63%±10.02, EC50 = 0.72 g/L, P<0.01). In comparison with expression in the control group, SUR2B protein expression was down-regulated in the model group (P<0.01) but no significant difference was detected in KIR6.1 protein expression between the groups (P>0.05). QBPF and nicorandil (Nic) treatment up-regulated SUR2B KATP channel expression (P<0.05). QBPF induces endothelial-dependent relaxation in pulmonary artery rings in vitro, through a mechanism that potentially activates the KATP channel in pulmonary vascular smooth muscles via the NO-cyclic GMP (cGMP)-dependent pathway.

Qiyusanlong decoction suppresses lung cancer in mice via Wnt/ß-catenin pathway.

Lung cancer is one of the most fatal cancers due to its high metastatic rate. Traditional Chinese medicine has been used in cancer patients for decades to improve quality of life and prolong survival time. The present study used a novel Qiyusanlong (QYSL) decoction composed of 10 kinds of Chinese medicine including astragalus membranaceus (Huangqi), polygonatumod oratum (yuzu), scolopendra (tianlong), pberetima (dilong), solanum nigrum (longkui), herbahedyotis (baihushecao), semen coicis (yiyiren), euphorbia helioscopia (zeqi), curcuma longa (eshu) and tendril-leaved fritillary bulb (chuanbei). The effects and function of the QYSL decoction remain to be elucidated. The present study established a mouse xenograft model using Lewis lung carcinoma cell injection and administered different doses of QYSL decoction to the mice. It was demonstrated that the chemotherapy drug Cisplatin (DDP) and QYSL decoction repressed lung tumor growth, and the inhibitory effect of DDP was more significant. Furthermore, QYSL decoction and DDP modulated the expression of regulatory proteins in the Wnt/ß­catenin pathway, including Wnt1, Wnt2, Wnt5a and glycogen synthase kinase 3ß, detected by western blotting, and affected the signals of cluster of differentiation 44 variation 6 and Survivin in tumor tissues, examined via immunohistochemistry. The combination of QYSL decoction and DDP enhanced the inhibitory effect. These data demonstrated that the QYSL decoction repressed lung tumor development via the Wnt/ß­catenin pathway. The therapeutic effect of QYSL decoction alone was milder compared with DDP, however the combination of QYSL decoction and chemotherapy exhibited an increased the rapeutic effect compared with the treatments administered alone. These findings revealed the function of QYSL decoction as a lung cancer treatment and provided insight for a novel lung cancer therapy.

Ligustrazine improves blood circulation by suppressing Platelet activation in a rat model of allergic asthma.

Chuan-xiong (Ligusticum wallichii) is a traditional herbal medicine in Eastern Asia, but the effect of its active component ligustrazine remains unclear. We explored its effect and possible mechanism in a well-characterized rat model of allergic asthma. Ligustrazine suppressed bronchial hyper-responsiveness to methacholine, and suppressed lung inflammation in asthmatic rats. Ligustrazine exhibited potent immuno-modulatory and anti-inflammatory effects: it suppressed lymphocyte and eosinophil mobilization, and reduced cytokine IL-5 and IL-13 production significantly in lung tissues from asthmatic rats (P<0.05). Further histological examinations clearly demonstrated that ligustrazine improved blood circulation and ameliorated platelet activation, aggregation and adhesion, which induced sustained infiltration and activation of various inflammatory cells, including lymphocytes and eosinophils, followed by synthesis and release of a variety of pro-inflammatory mediators and cytokines. The present study suggests that ligustrazine is a potent agent for the treatment of allergic asthma due to its strong anti-inflammatory and immuno-modulatory properties.

[Qiyusanlong decoction inhibits the level of PD-1/PD-L1 in mice bearing Lewis lung carcinoma].

Objective To investigate the anti-tumor effect of Qiyusanlong decoction (QYSL) in the mice with Lewis lung cancer (LLC) and its effect on the expression of programmed death 1 and programmed death ligand 1 (PD-1/PD-L1). Methods The model of lung cancer subcutaneous allograft was established using LLC cells. The model mice were randomly divided into six groups: a model group, a chemotherapy group, three QYSL groups of high, middle and low doses, and a combined group, each group containing 8 mice. On the 11th day, the low-, middle- and high-dose QYSL groups were respectively given intragastric administration of 20.12, 40.24, 80.48 g/(kg.d) QYSL; the chemotherapy group were intraperitoneally injected with 0.4 mL cisplatin; the combined group were administrated with cisplatin and high-dose QYSL; the model group were administrated with the same amount of normal saline, once a day for 10 days. Tumor volume was examined and tumor growth curve was drawn. Tumors were weighed and tumor inhibition rates were calculated. The expressions of PD-1, PD-L1 mRNA and protein in spleens and tumor tissues of mice were detected by real-time quantitative PCR and Western blotting, respectively. Results Compared with the model group, the high-dose QYSL group could inhibit tumor growth with tumor inhibition rate being 23.86%; the tumor inhibition rate between the combined group and the chemotherapy group was equal. The high-dose QYSL could significantly decrease the expression of PD-1 mRNA and protein in spleen and inhibited the expression of PD-L1 mRNA and protein in tumor. The levels of PD-1 and PD-L1 protein in the combined group were obviously lower than those in the chemotherapy group, but the interaction effect of the other indicators had no statistical significance. Conclusion QYSL can moderately inhibit the growth of the transplanted tumor by decreasing PD-1/PD-L1 level.

[Qibaipingfei Capsule down-regulate the levels of calcineurin and nuclear factor of activated T-cells isoform c3 (NFATc3) in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of Qibaipingfei Capsule (QPC) on the expressions of calcineurin (CaN) and nuclear factor of activated T-cells isoform c3 (NFATc3) of rat models with phlegm and blood stasis syndrome of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and to explore the possible mechanism underlying the intervention of QPC in pulmonary vascular remodeling of COPD. METHODS: Sixty male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into a normal group, a model group, a positive group of nifedipine, a high dose group, a middle dose group and a low dose group of QPC. The rat models with phlegm and blood stasis syndrome of COPD were established by compound methods of forced swimming, smoking and hypoxia. Then the pulmonary function and the pathological alterations of pulmonary vessels were observed. Furthermore, the mRNA and protein levels of CaN and NFATc3 in the lung tissues were determined by real-time quantitative PCR and Western blot analysis. RESULTS: Compared with the normal group, the forced expiratory volume at 0.3 second (FEV0.3), the forced vital capacity (FVC) and FEV0.3/FVC in the model group were significantly reduced, but compared with the model group, the values mentioned above were restored to different extents in the groups of nifedipine and QPC. The lung tissues of the model group showed the thickening of pulmonary vascular wall and the formation of compensating emphysema. The above pathological changes were relieved in all the treatment groups. Compared with the normal group, the expressions of CaN and NFATc3 in the model group were significantly up-regulated in transcription and translation levels. Compared with the model group, these expressions were down-regulated to various degrees in all the treatment groups. CONCLUSION: QPC can decrease the levels of CaN and NFATc3 in the lung tissues of COPD.

[Preliminary study on differential expressed genes in T lymphocyte of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients with Fei-qi deficiency syndrome].

OBJECTIVE: To study T lymphocyte related genes with differential expression in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) of Fei-qi deficiency (FQD) syndrome type by gene chips. METHODS: Lymphocytes in peripheral blood were isolated by Ficoll technique from blood samples collected from COPD patients of FQD syndrome type, Fei-yin deficiency (FYD) syndrome type, and also from healthy subjects for control. They were sorted and purified by flow cytometry, and the different expressed genes were screened from them by gene chip technique. RESULTS: There were 15 genes with high differential expression between patients of FQD type and those of FYD syndrome type, and between patients of FQD type and healthy subjects. CONCLUSION: Gene chip technique could be used for studying the gene expression profiles of TCM syndrome, and the T-lymphocyte related genes with differential expression in COPD patients with FQD were screened preliminarily.