Effective components and mechanism analysis of anti-platelet aggregation effect of Justicia procumbens L.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Justicia procumbens L. is a traditional Chinese medicine, first recorded in "Shen Nong's Herbal Classic", for the treatment of lumbar pain and fever. As a widely distributed herb, it has also been documented in India, Nepal, and Malaysia. In "Tang Materia Medica", a famous medicinal book of Tang Dynasty in ancient China, it was first used to treat diseases associated with blood stasis. Blood stasis syndrome is closely related to thrombus formation and platelet aggregation. Although some compounds isolated from this plant have anti-platelet aggregation effects, the main chemical components and mechanism of J. procumbens in terms of these effects are little known. AIMS OF THE STUDY: Through in vivo and in vitro experiments, this studsy revealed the characteristic components and action mechanism of anti-platelet aggregation by J. procumbens from an overall perspective. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The effective crude extracts of the whole plant were screened via an in vitro anti-platelet aggregation test. After incubating these extracts with apheresis platelets, high affinity compounds were detected by HPLC-MS and regulatory genes were detected using gene chips. The effective components and potential target proteins were analyzed using computational docking technology. Furthermore, the compound with the strongest predicted activity was evaluated in vivo via an anti-thrombotic test. RESULTS: Integrin aⅡbß3, PKCα, PI3Kγ, and mitogen-activated protein kinase 14 were found to be potential targets. Justicidin B, tuberculatin, chinensinaphthol methyl ether, and neojusticin B were effective compounds that inhibited human platelet aggregation by suppressing Gq-PLC-PKC and Gi-PI3K-MAPK signaling pathways. Among the compounds that bind to platelets, justicidin B showed the strongest virtual binding force. The test of carotid artery thrombosis induced by ferric chloride in SD rats confirmed that justicidin B inhibited thrombus formation. CONCLUSION: Experimental investigation showed that arylnaphthalene lignan aglycones with one methylenedioxy group and two methoxy groups are effective components for anti-platelet aggregation by J. procumbens. These compounds inhibit Gq-PLC-PKC and Gi-PI3K-MAPK signaling pathways by suppressing the expression of genes such as ITGB3, PRKCA, PIK3CG, and MAPK14. These results reflected the characteristics of multi-component and multi-target synergistic treatment of Chinese medicine.

Prediction the Molecular Mechanism of Shengmai Injection in Acute Treatment of COVID-19 Based on Network Pharmacology.

Objective: To predict the mechanism of Shengmai Injection (SMI) in the acute treatment of COVID-19 by network pharmacology and molecular docking. Methods: Search the compounds in the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology (TCMSP), and screen them by Drug-like properties (DL) and Oral bioavailability (OB); Using PharmMapper database and GeneCards database to collect compounds targets and COVID-19 targets, and using UniProt database to standardize the names of target genes; Using DAVID database for KEGG pathway annotation and GO bioinformatics analysis; Using Cytoscape 3.8.2 software and STRING 10.5 database to construct "Component-Target-Pathway" network and Protein-Protein Interaction network (PPI); Using molecular docking to predict the binding ability of key compounds and key proteins. Results: A total of 34 active components, 38 core targets and 180 signaling pathways were screened out. The results of molecular docking showed that Schisantherin A and Moupinamide have strong binding with EGFR and MAPK1. Conclusion: The key active compounds of SMI in the treatment of COVID-19 may be Schisantherin A and Moupinamide, and the molecular mechanism may be related to key targets such as EGFR and MAPK1, and may be involved in the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway and MAPK signaling pathway.

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.

Revealing the mechanism of "Huai Hua San" in the treatment of ulcerative colitis based on network pharmacology and experimental study.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: "Huai Hua San" (HHS) is one of the first hundred ancient classic prescriptions drugs, which is commonly used to treat hemorrhoids, colitis, and other symptoms of wind heat in stool. However, the potential molecular mechanism of action of this substance remains unclear. AIMS OF THE STUDY: In this study, we explored the active compounds of HHS for the treatment of ulcerative colitis (UC), predicted the potential targets of the drug, and studied its mechanism of action through network pharmacology via in vitro and in vivo experiments. MATERIALS AND METHODS: First, we identified the active compounds and key targets of HHS for treating UC via network pharmacology. The key signaling pathways associated with the anti-inflammatory effect of HHS were analyzed. The anti-inflammatory effects of HHS and its active compounds were studied using the RAW264.7 inflammatory cell model in vitro. Furthermore, we used the dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) mouse model to explore the efficacy and mechanism of HHS in UC in vivo, and the expression level of key proteins were detected by Western blotting. RESULTS: In all, 23 compounds and 97 targets were obtained from TCMSP database, PharmMapper database, and GeneCards database. After enrichment via Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG), HIF-1 signaling pathway, PI3K/AKT signaling pathway, and VEGF signaling pathway were identified to be the top three signaling pathways associated with UC treatment. The results of molecular docking showed that the docking scores of the top 10 active compounds were higher than the threshold values. In vitro, different concentrations of HHS and the four main active compounds could effectively inhibit the release of inflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-6, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and IL-1 ß. In vivo, HHS could alleviate UC symptoms. CONCLUSION: Taken together, the treatment of UC with HHS may alleviate the inflammatory response of the colon, and HHS mainly inhibits the EGFR/PI3K/AKT/HIF-1/VEGF signaling 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.

Network pharmacology and molecular docking reveal the mechanism of Scopoletin against non-small cell lung cancer.

AIMS: Scopoletin is a natural anticarcinogenic and antiviral coumarin component. Many studies have proved its anti-cancer effect, and after the preliminary screening of this study, Scopoletin had the best inhibitory effect on Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). But its mechanism for treating NSCLC is still unclear. Therefore, network pharmacology and molecular docking technology were used to explore the potential anti-NSCLC targets and pathways of Scopoletin. The results were verified in vitro. MAIN METHODS: First, Scopoletin was isolated from Fennel and screened to conduct cell proliferation assay on Human lung cancer cell line A549, Human colon cancer cell line HCT-116 and Human hepatoma cell line HepG2 respectively, through the MTT test. Then, the key targets and related pathways were screened through Protein-protein Interaction (PPI) network and "component-target-pathway" (C-TP) network constructed by network pharmacology. And the key targets were selected to dock with Scopoletin via molecular docking. A549 and Human normal lung epithelial cell BEAS-2B were used to verify the results, finally. KEY FINDINGS: Through MTT, A549 was chosen as the test cancer cell. From network pharmacology, 16 targets, 27 signaling pathways and 16 GO items were obtained (P < 0.05). The results of PPI network and molecular docking showed that EGFR, BRAF and AKT1 were the key targets of Scopoletin against NSCLC, which were consistent with the western-blot results. SIGNIFICANCE: Through network pharmacology, molecular docking and experiments in vitro, Scopoletin was verified to against NSCLC through RAS-RAF-MEK-ERK pathway and PI3K/AKT pathway.

Active Ingredients and Mechanism of Action of Rhizoma Coptidis against Type 2 Diabetes Based on Network-Pharmacology and Bioinformatics.

A pharmacological network of "component/target/pathway" for Rhizoma coptidis against type 2 diabetes (T2D) was established by network-pharmacology, and the active components of Rhizoma coptidis and its mechanism were explored. A literature-based and database study of the components of Rhizoma coptidis was carried out and screened by ADME parameters. The targets of Rhizoma coptidis were predicted by the ligand similarity method. Related pathways were analyzed with databases, and software was used to construct a "component/target/path" network. The mechanism was further confirmed by GEO database with R software. A total of 12 active components were screened from Rhizoma coptidis, involving 57 targets including MAPK1, STAT3, INSR, and 38 signaling pathways were associated with T2D. Related signaling pathways included essential pathways for T2D such as insulin resistance, and pathways that had indirect effect on T2D. It was suggested that Rhizoma coptidis may exert its effects against T2D through multi-component, multi-target, and multi-pathway forms.

Network Pharmacology-based Research of Active Components of Albiziae Flos and Mechanisms of Its Antidepressant Effect.

Albiziae Flos (AF) has been experimentally proven to have an antidepressant effect. However, due to the complexity of botanical ingredients, the exact pharmacological mechanism of action of AF in depression has not been completely deciphered. This study used the network pharmacology method to construct a component-target-pathway network to explore the active components and potential mechanisms of action of AF. The methods included collection and screening of chemical components, prediction of depression-associated targets of the active components, gene enrichment, and network construction and analysis. Quercetin and 4 other active components were found to exert antidepressant effects mainly via monoaminergic neurotransmitters and cAMP signaling and neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction pathways. DRD2, HTR1A, and SLC6A4 were identified as important targets of the studied bioactive components of AF. This network pharmacology analysis provides guidance for further study of the antidepressant mechanism of AF.

[Cultural regionalization for Coptis chinensis based on 3S technology platform â . Study on growth suitability for Coptis chinensis based on ecological factors analysis by Maxent and ArcGIS model].

At the urgent request of Coptis chinensis planting,growth suitability as assessment indicators for C. chinensis cultivation was proposed and analyzed in this paper , based on chemical quality determination and ecological fators analysis by Maxent and ArcGIS model. Its potential distribution areas at differernt suitability grade and regionalization map were formulated based on statistical theory and growth suitability theory. The results showed that the most suitable habitats is some parts of Chongqing and Hubei province, such as Shizhu, Lichuan, Wulong, Wuxi, Enshi. There are seven ecological factor is the main ecological factors affect the growth of Coptidis Rhizoma, including altitude, precipitation in February and September and the rise of precipitation and altitude is conducive to the accumulation of total alkaloid content in C. chinensis. Therefore, The results of the study not only illustrates the most suitable for the surroundings of Coptidis Rhizoma, also helpful to further research and practice of cultivation regionalization, wild resource monitoring and large-scale cultivation of traditional Chinese medicine plants.

[Level investigation on coptidis rhizoma processing methods and product specifications].

The existing processing methods, commercial specification and grades, and the marketing of Coptidis Rhizoma were systematical researched, referring to ancient, modern and contemporary medical literatures with the combination of our fieldwork on main origins of Coptidis Rhizoma and some herbs markets. Results showed that Coptidis Rhizoma processing methods mainly included sun-dried method and baked method anciently. For now, the processing methods become various, including thin paper-covering under the sun drying, direct drying, oven drying and microflame-fry drying. In the literatures, the main chemical constituent berberine was determined of its content to analyze the processing methods, finding that the sun drying and baked drying affect the berberine content, so the temperature must be controlled when drying. The thin paper-covering drying method is so cumbersome for large quantities of medicinal herbs and in wind conditions that it has been eliminated. Eventually, direct drying, oven drying and microflame-fry drying are chosen to the large-scale socialized production for their convenient and simple operation, making up the current main processing methods. Coptidis Rhizoma products have 3 specifications of Weilian, Yalian, Yunlian, of each specification there are 2 levels, but in fact the market of Weilian commodities overtakes the Yunlian, which only sold in parts of Yunnan, and the no-sale Yalian. The mainstream commercial Weilian are often sold in general way, gradeless and uniformly-priced. There are regional differences of the processing methods on Coptidis Rhizoma, which needs unified research and development of relevant standard operating procedures to ensure the quality of medicine, urgently. Coptidis Rhizoma product specifications and the intrinsic quality-grade correlation need to be further improved, which could provide a more reliable standard for quality at competitive prices, and it is recommended that "medicinal commercial specification and grade standard" content be increased into the Herbs part of Chinese Pharmacopoeia.

[Flavonoids from the seeds of Alpinia galanga Willd].

Ten flavonoids were isolated from the 95% ethanol extract of the seeds of Alpinia galanga Willd. with a combination of various chromatographic techniques, including silica gel, Sephadex LH-20 and preparative HPLC. On the basis of spectroscopic data analysis, they were elucidated as (2R, 3S)-pinobaksin-3-cinnamate (1), (2R, 3R)-pinobaksin-3-cinnamate (2), pinocembrin (3), pinobaksin (4), 3-O-acetylpinobaksin (5), galangin (6), galangin-3-methylether (7), kumatakenin (8), 3-methylkaempferol (9) and (2R, 3R)-3, 5-dihydroxy-7-methoxyflavanone (10). Among them, compound 1 is a new compound, compounds 2, 5 and 10 were isolated from the genus Alpinia for the first time, and others were isolated from this plant for the first time.

[Analysis of effect of topographical conditions on content of total alkaloid in Coptidis Rhizoma in Chongqin, China].

To study ecology suitability rank dividing of the total alkaloid content of Coptis Rhizoma for selecting artificial planting base and high-quality industrial raw material in Chongqing province. Based on the investigation of PCB and DEM data of Chongqing province, the relationship between the total alkaloid content in Coptis Rhizoma and topographical conditions was analyzed by statistical analysis. The geographic information systems (GIS)-based assessment and landscape ecological principles were applied to assess eco logy suitability areas of Coptis Rhizoma in Chongqing. slope, aspect and altitude are main topographical factors that affect the content of the total alkaloid content in Coptis Rhizoma The total alkaloid content in Coptis Rhizoma is higher in the lower altitude, shady slope and bigger slope areas. The total alkaloid content is higher in the south areas of Chongqing province and lower in the northeast. Terrain conditions of the southern region of Chongqing are most suitable for The accumulated of total alkaloid Coptis Rhizoma content.

[Studies on the chemical constituents of Coleus forskohlii transplanted in Tongcheng and their antitumor activity].

OBJECTIVE: To study the chemical constituents of Coleus forskohlii. METHODS: Isolation and purification were carried out by silica gel column chromatographic and Toyopearl HW-40F. Compounds were identified and elucidated by spectral and chemical methods. RESULTS: Seven compounds were obtained from ethyl acetate extract fraction. Their structures were identified as lupeol (1), oleanolic acid (2), uvalo(3), beta-sitosterol (4), colonic acid (5), demethylcryptojaponol (6), coleolic acid (7). Compounds 1, 2, 6, 7 showed obviously antitumor activity. CONCLUSION: Compound 1 and 3 are isolated from the genus for the first time. Moreover, compound 1 is firstly found to have antitumor activity from the plants.

[Pharmacognostic identification of Centipeda minima].

OBJECTIVE: To conduct pharmacognostic identification of Centipeda minima. METHODS: To conduct characteristic identification, micro-identification and TLC identification of Centipeda minima. RESULTS: We established a systematic pharmacognostic identification method including characteristic identification, micro-identification and TLC identification. CONCLUSION: Brevilin is used as chemical reference firstly in TLC identification of Centipeda minima, and combined with characteristic identification and micro-identification, it will raise the rapidity and accuracy of the identification of Centipeda minima.

Kaempferol-7-O-beta-D-glucoside (KG) isolated from Smilax china L. rhizome induces G2/M phase arrest and apoptosis on HeLa cells in a p53-independent manner.

Kaempferol-7-O-beta-D-glucoside (KG), a flavonoid glycoside, isolated from Smilax china L. rhizome, displayed marked anticancer activity on a panel of established cancer cells, of which, HeLa human cervix carcinoma cells were the most sensitive. Meanwhile, the cytotoxic effects of KG on normal human cells (HEK293 embryonic kidney cells and L-02 embryonic liver cells) were much smaller than on cancer cells. This work studied the molecular mechanisms underlying KG induced growth inhibition in HeLa cells. The results showed that KG induced G2/M phase growth arrest correlated with Cyclin B1 and Cdk1 decrease in a p53-independent manner, and also caused an increase in apoptosis, which was confirmed by characteristic morphological changes, evident DNA fragmentation, increased apoptotic sub-G1 population. Furthermore, inhibition of NF-kappaB nuclear translocation, up-regulation of Bax and down-regulation of Bcl-2, were observed in HeLa cells treated with KG, which indicated that the mitochondrial pathway was involved in the apoptosis signal pathway. In summary, KG displayed a significant anti-tumor effect through cell cycle arrest and apoptotic induction in HeLa cells, which suggested that KG might have therapeutic potential against cervix carcinoma.

A flavonoid glycoside isolated from Smilax china L. rhizome in vitro anticancer effects on human cancer cell lines.

The anticancer activity of eight crude extracts of Smilax china L. rhizome (SCR) against HeLa cells was assessed by MTT assay and clonogenic assay, the fraction rich in flavonoids had show good activity against HeLa cells. A bioassay-guided separation on this extract lead to the detection of kaempferol-7-O-beta-D-glucoside (KG), which belongs to flavonoid glycoside, displayed marked anticancer activity. We evaluated its in vitro cytotoxicity and antiproliferative effect in a panel of established cancer cell lines by MTT assay and clonogenic assay. KG induces A375 and HL60 cells apoptosis, which was demonstrated by morphological changes, DNA fragmentation and flow cytometric analysis. Fluorescent staining with Hoechst 33258 showed fragmentation and condensation of chromatin in the A375 and HL60 cells. Flow cytometric analysis shown that A375 and HL60 cells treated with KG resulted in the appearance of a hypodiploid peak (A0 region), probably due to the presence of apoptosing cells and/or apoptotic bodies with DNA content less than 2n. Quantitation of the hypodiploid cells shows a dose-dependent response to KG, and this result is in good accordance with that of the DNA fragmentation assay by agarose gel electrophoresis. Our results suggested that cell cycle arrest at G(1) phase and induce apoptosis as a mechanism by which KG exerts an antiproliferative effect.

[Studies on HPLC-ELSD fingerprint of the Coleus forskohlii introduced in Tongcheng].

OBJECTIVE: To establish HPLC-ELSD fingerprint of Coleus forskohlii. METHODS: Chromatographic fingerprint of Coleus forskohlii was investigated by HPLC-ELSD and gradient elution mode was applied to chromatographic separation. RESULTS: The HPLC-ELSD fingerprint of Coleus forskohlii was established preliminarily. CONCLUSION: HPLC-ELSD fingerprint method is repeated and can be used in quality control of Coleus forskohlii. The active constituent in Coleus forskohlii is probably at equal pace between introduced in Tongcheng and provenance.

[Studies on HPLC-FPS of the saponins from Semen Ziziphi Spinosae].

OBJECTIVE: To establish a method of HPLC-fingerprint spectrum (HPLC-FPS) for the active part in Semen Ziziphi Spinosae (SZS) in order to control the quality of SZS from different places. METHODS: The gradient elution mode was applied in chromatographic separation, and data were analysed by" Similarity Evaluation software" to compare the HPLC-FPS of SZS from different places. RESULTS: The conditions for HPLC analysis of SZS were established and the FPS of samples from different habitats showed some differences. CONCLUSION: All components in the spectrum were separated well and the HPLC fingerprint method is repeatable. The method can be used in quality assessment of SZS.

Effects of chlorogenic acid, an active compound activating calcineurin, purified from Flos Lonicerae on macrophage.

AIM: To investigate the activation of chlorogenic acid (CHA) purified from Flos Lonicerae to calcineurin and its effects on macrophage functions in vivo and in vitro. METHODS: According to the screening results that Flos Lonicerae could activate calcineurin, the active component which could activate calcineurin was purified from Flos Lonicerae by column chromatography on silica gel and identified as CHA. The activation of CHA on calcineurin had been validated with both p-NPP and 32P-labeled RII peptide as the substrates. The clearance of charcoal particles in normal mice and the cytotoxicity of U937 to MCF-7 were used together to determine the effects of CHA on macrophage functions. RESULTS: CHA could activate calcineurin, and the concentration of CHA on maximal activating calcineurin was 282.5 micromol/L. CHA administration (10 mg/kg, ig, 7 d) significantly enhanced the macrophage functions in normal mice. CHA (70.6, 141.2, and 282.5 micromol/L) obviously increased the cytotoxicity of U937 to MCF-7. CONCLUSION: CHA could activate calcineurin and enhance the macrophage functions in vivo and in vitro, and its functions in vivo may be realized via the signal pathways of calcineurin.

Extract from Fructus cannabis activating calcineurin improved learning and memory in mice with chemical drug-induced dysmnesia.

AIM: To investigate the effects of extract from Fructus cannabis (EFC) that can activate calcineurin on learning and memory impairment induced by chemical drugs in mice. METHODS: Bovine brain calcineurin and calmodulin were isolated from frozen tissues. The activity of calcineurin was assayed using p-nitrophenyl phosphate (PNPP) as the substrate. Step-down type passive avoidance test and water maze were used together to determine the effects of EFC on learning and memory dysfunction. RESULTS: EFC activated calcineurin activity at a concentration range of 0.01-100 g/L. The maximal value of EFC on calcineurin activity (35 %+/-5 %) appeared at a concentration of 10 g/L. The chemical drugs such as scopolamine, sodium nitrite, and 45 % ethanol, and sodium pentobarbital induced learning and memory dysfunction. EFC administration (0.2, 0.4, and 0.8 g/kg, igx7 d) prolonged the latency and decreased the number of errors in the step-down test. EFC, given for 7 d, enhanced the spatial resolution of amnesic mice in water maze test. EFC overcome amnesia of three stages of memory process at the dose of 0.2 g/kg. CONCLUSION: EFC with an activation role of calcineurin can improve the impaired learning and memory induced by chemical drugs in mice.