Uncovering the Mechanism of Astragalus membranaceus in the Treatment of Diabetic Nephropathy Based on Network Pharmacology.

BACKGROUND: Diabetic nephropathy (DN), characterized by hyperglycemia, hypertension, proteinuria, and edema, is a unique microvascular complication of diabetes. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) Astragalus membranaceus (AM) has been widely used for DN in China while the pharmacological mechanisms are still unclear. This work is aimed at undertaking a network pharmacology analysis to reveal the mechanism of the effects of AM in DN. Materials and Methods. In this study, chemical constituents of AM were obtained via Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database (TCMSP), and the potential targets of AM were identified using the Therapeutic Target Database (TTD). DisGeNET and GeneCards databases were used to collect DN-related target genes. DN-AM common target protein interaction network was established by using the STRING database. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analyses were carried out to further explore the DN mechanism and therapeutic effect of AM. The network diagrams of the active component-action target and protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks were constructed using Cytoscape software. RESULTS: A total of 16 active ingredients contained and 78 putative identified target genes were screened from AM, of which 42 overlapped with the targets of DN and were considered potential therapeutic targets. The analysis of the network results showed that the AM activity of component quercetin, formononetin, calycosin, 7-O-methylisomucronulatol, and quercetin have a good binding activity with top ten screened targets, such as VEGFA, TNF, IL-6, MAPK, CCL3, NOS3, PTGS2, IL-1ß, JUN, and EGFR. GO and KEGG analyses revealed that these targets were associated with inflammatory response, angiogenesis, oxidative stress reaction, rheumatoid arthritis, and other biological process. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated the multicomponent, multitarget, and multichannel characteristics of AM, which provided a novel approach for further research of the mechanism of AM in the treatment of DN.

(-)-Epigallocatechin-3-gallate encapsulated realgar nanoparticles exhibit enhanced anticancer therapeutic efficacy against acute promyelocytic leukemia.

Realgar and (-)-Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) are natural medicines that inhibit cancer cell growth, resulting in inhibition of formation and development of tumors. The anticancer effects of realgar and EGCG were greatly improved following formulation as nanoparticles. EGCG has received increased attention as a drug carrier. The aim of this study was to prepare a new nanomedicine, (EGCG-RNPs), in which encapsulated nano-realgar. EGCG-RNPs were prepared by coprecipitation and characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), particle size and zeta potential, X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and in vitro release. Furthermore, we evaluated the antiproliferative effects of EGCG-RNPs on HL-60 cells in vitro, antitumor effect by intratumoral injection of EGCG-RNPs into solid tumors derived from APL HL-60 cells in vivo. Possible mechanisms were evaluated using uptake and efflux experiments in HL-60 cells. The results showed that the average particle size and zeta potentials of EGCG-RNPs was 200.3 ± 1.23 nm and -46.8 ± 1.31 mV. Controlled release of EGCG-RNPs was sustained and continued up to 72 h in vitro. Compared with nano-realgar and EGCG + RNPs (EGCG and nano-realgar physical mixing), EGCG-RNPs significantly inhibited growth of HL-60 cells. In a solid tumor model, EGCG-RNPs decreased tumor volumes, with an inhibitory rate of 60.18% at a dose of 70 mg · kg-1. The mechanisms of antitumor improvement may correlate with the increased uptake of realgar and prolonged the retention time of realgar in HL-60 cells due to EGCG as a carrier. EGCG-RNPs could enhance anticancer therapeutic efficacy for acute promyelocytic leukemia.

Aminated ß-cyclodextrin-grafted Fe3O4-loaded gambogic acid magnetic nanoparticles: preparation, characterization, and biological evaluation.

Based on aminated ß-cyclodextrin (6-NH2-ß-CD)-grafted Fe3O4 and gambogic acid (GA) clathrate complexes, a nanoparticle delivery system was developed with the aim to achieve low irritation, strong targeting, and high bioavailability of a gambogic acid magnetic nanopreparation. 6-NH2-ß-CD grafted onto Fe3O4 MNPs was demonstrated by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, zeta potential, and magnetic measurements. The average particle size of the Fe3O4@NH2-ß-CD MNPs was 147.4 ± 0.28 nm and the PDI was 0.072 ± 0.013. The encapsulation efficiency, drug loading, zeta potential, and magnetic saturation values of the Fe3O4@NH2-ß-CD MNPs were 85.71 ± 3.47%, 4.63 ± 0.04%, -29.3 ± 0.42 mV, and 46.68 emu g-1, respectively. Compared with free GA, the in vitro release profile of GA from Fe3O4@NH2-ß-CD MNPs was characterized by two phases: an initial fast release and a delayed-release phase. The Fe3O4@NH2-ß-CD MNPs displayed continuously increased cytotoxicity against HL-60 and HepG2 cell lines in 24 h, whereas the carrier Fe3O4@NH2-ß-CD MNPs showed almost no cytotoxicity, indicating that the release of GA from the nanoparticles had a sustained profile and Fe3O4@NH2-ß-CD MNPs as a tumor tissue-targeted drug delivery system have great potential. Besides, blood vessel irritation tests suggested that the vascular irritation could be reduced by the use of Fe3O4@NH2-ß-CD MNPs encapsulation for GA. The t 1/2 and the AUC of the Fe3O4@NH2-ß-CD@GA MNPs were found to be higher than those for the GA solution by approximately 2.71-fold and 2.42-fold in a pharmacokinetic study, respectively. The better biocompatibility and the combined properties of specific targeting and complexation ability with hydrophobic drugs make the Fe3O4@NH2-ß-CD MNPs an exciting prospect for the targeted delivery of GA.