Boldine promotes stemness of human urine-derived stem cells by activating the Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway.

Human urine-derived stem cells (hUSCs) process self-renewal and multilineage differentiation ability. Due to their non-invasive and easily available clinical source, hUSCs represent a promising alternative source of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) for application potential in cytotherapy. However, technical limitations, such as stemness property maintenance, have hindered hUSCs' clinical application. Certain some small molecules have been recognized with advantage in maintaining the stemness of stem cells. In this study, we identified stemness-regulated key targets of hUSCs based on the StemCellNet database, CMAP database and literature mining. Furthermore, we identified a small molecule compound, boldine, which may have the potential to promote the stemness of hUSCs. It promotes cell proliferation, multilineage differentiation and maintains stemness of hUSCs by cell viability assay, single-cell clone formation, osteogenic differentiation and stemness marker expression (OCT-4 and C-MYC). We identified that boldine may be a potential GSK-3ß inhibitor by molecular docking and confirmed that it can upregulate the level of ß-catenin and promote translocation of ß-catenin into nucleus of hUSCs using Western blotting and immunofluorescence analysis. Our study indicates boldine activates the Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway in hUSCs and provides an effective strategy for MSCs research and application of small molecules in maintaining the stemness of hUSCs.

Emodin-8-O-ß-D-glucopyranoside, a natural hydroxyanthraquinone glycoside from plant, suppresses cancer cell proliferation via p21-CDKs-Rb axis.

Emodin-8-O-ß-D-glucopyranoside (EG), a natural hydroxyanthraquinone glycoside from some traditional medicinal plants, has been demonstrated to have potential antitumor effects in our previous studies. Herein, we confirm that EG remains stable in the cell culture medium. It suppresses cell viability and proliferation and induces G1 cell cycle arrest in human colorectal cancer and neuroblastoma cells in vitro. EG inhibits tumor growth in human colorectal cancer cell HCT 116-bearing xenograft mice with low toxicity in the liver and kidney. The transcriptome analysis shows that the p53 signaling pathway is the most enriched cellular pathway and EG affects the proliferation of HCT 116 cells through modulating cell cycle related genes, such as CDKN1A and Cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs). We demonstrate that the protein expression level of p21 was up-regulated, and CDK1/CDK2 were reduced significantly in both HCT 116 and SH-SY5Y cells after EG treatment. The switch from hypo- to hyper-phosphorylated Retinoblastoma (Rb), which is believed as a result of activated CDKs, was inhibited when cells were treated with EG. These findings indicate that EG suppresses cancer cell proliferation via p21-CDKs-Rb axis.

Inducing differentiation of human urine-derived stem cells into hepatocyte-like cells by coculturing with human hepatocyte L02 cells.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the possibility of inducing differentiation of human urine-derived stem cells (hUSCs) into hepatocyte-like cells by coculturing with human hepatocyte L02 cells in vitro. METHODS: HUSCs were isolated from fresh urine samples collected from healthy adult volunteers by centrifugation. Cells were observed under an inverted phase contrast microscope, and proliferative activity was determined by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay. Stem cell surface markers were detected by flow cytometry. HUSCs were induced to differentiate into hepatocyte-like cells by coculturing with human hepatocyte L02 cells, which were confirmed by cellular morphology, messenger RNA expression of albumin (ALB), α-fetoprotein (AFP) and hepatocyte cytochrome P450 (CYP450) analyzed with quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and the expression of glycogen detected by glycogen staining kits at 5, 10, and 15 days after coculturing. RESULTS: HUSCs from urine were successfully isolated and cultured in vitro. At passages 3, the growth curve of hUSCs was S-shaped with good proliferation activity. Mesenchymal stem cell surface markers CD44 and CD90 were detected positive by flow cytometry. CD31 for endothelial cells and CD34 for hematopoietic stem cell markers were not detected. HUSCs gained the cellular morphology and function of hepatocyte cells including higher expression of several hepatocyte-specific genes such as ALB and some CYP450, lower expression of AFP and positive glycogen expression (P < .05) in coculturing with human hepatocyte L02 cells for 10-15d. CONCLUSIONS: HUSCs can be induced to differentiate into hepatocyte-like cells by coculturing with human hepatocyte L02 cells for a certain number of days.

[Study on inhibitory effect of water extract of Polygonum multiflorum on CYP1A2 and CYP2E1 enzymatic activities and mRNA expressions in rat liver].

Rats were continuously given different doses of water extract of Polygonum multiflorum (1, 10 g x kg(-1)) for 7 days to prepare liver microsomes. Cocktail in vitro incubation approach and Real-time quantitative PCR technology were used to observe the effect of water extract of P. multiflorum on CYP450 enzymatic activities and mRNA expressions in rat liver. Compared with the blank control group, both 1, 10 g x kg(-1) water extract of P. multiflorum treated groups showed significant inhibitions in CYP2E1 enzymatic activities and mRNA expressions (enzymatic activities of CYP2E1, P < 0.01; mRNA expression of CYP2E1, P < 0.05 in 1 g x kg(-1) group, P < 0.01 in 10 g x kg(-1) group). They revealed a significant increase in the enzymatic activity of CYP3A1 (P < 0.01), but without significant change in mRNA expressions. The 10 g x kg(-1) group showed a significant inhibition in CYP1A2 enzymatic activities and mRNA expressions in rat livers (P < 0.01).

Pilose antler extracts promotes hair growth in androgenetic alopecia mice by activating hair follicle stem cells via the AKT and Wnt pathways.

Background: Angrogenetic alopecia (AGA) is one of the most prevalent hair loss disorders worldwide. The hair follicle stem cell (HFSC) is closely related to the formation of hair follicle (HF) structure and HF self-renewal. The activation of HFSC in AGA is critical for hair growth. Pilose antler has been reported to have hair growth-promoting activity, but the mechanism of action on AGA and HFSC has not been reported. Methods: We previously extracted an active component from the pilose antler known as PAEs. In this study, we conducted experiments using AGA mice and HFSC. The effects of PAEs on hair growth in AGA mice were firstly detected, and then the mechanisms of PAEs for AGA were predicted by integrating network pharmacology and de novo transcriptomics data of pilose antler. Finally, biological experiments were used to validate the molecular mechanism of PAEs in treating AGA both in vivo and in vitro. Results: It was found that PAEs promoted hair regrowth by accelerating the activation of anagen, delaying the anagen-catagen transition. It also alleviated the morphological changes, such as hair shortening, thinning, miniaturization, and HF number reduction, and regulated the hair regeneration process of four subtypes of hair. We further found that PAEs could promote the proliferation of HFSC, outer root sheath (ORS) cells, and hair bulb cells in AGA mice. We then integrated network pharmacology and pilose antler transcriptomics data to predict that the mechanism of PAEs treatment in AGA mice is closely related to the PI3K-AKT/Wnt-ß-Catenin pathways. Subsequently, it was also verified that PAEs could activate both pathways in the skin of AGA mice. In addition, we found that PAEs perhaps increased the number of blood vessels around dermal papilla (DP) in experiments in vivo. Meanwhile, the PAEs stimulated the HFSC proliferation in vitro and activated the AKT and Wnt pathways. However, the proliferative activity of HFSC was inhibited after blocking the Wnt pathway and AKT activity. Conclusion: This study suggests that the hair growth-promoting effect of PAEs in AGA mice may be closely related to the stimulation of the AKT and Wnt pathways, which in turn activates the proliferation of HFSC.

[Study on the hepatoxicity of polygoni multiflori radix and polygoni multiflori rodix praeparata in rats].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the hepatoxicity of Polygoni Multiflori Radix and Polygoni Multiflori Rodix Praeparata in rats. METHODS: Water extracts of Polygoni Multiflori Radix and Polygoni Multiflori Rodix Praeparata were prepared by concentional decocting method (named as RPWE and PPWE respectively). Both in 30 days and 60 days experiments, SD rats were randomly divided into 5 groups: normal control group, RPWE high dosage group (40 mg/kg x d) and PPWE low dosage group (20 mg/kg x d), PPWE high dosage group (40 mg/kg x d) and PPEW low dosage group (20 mg/kg x d). After daily administration,the general conditions of rats were observed. At the end of the experiments, the levels of ALT and AST in plasma were detected. The liver coefficient was calculated and HE staining was used to observe the changes of liver tissue sections. RESULTS: Both in 30 days and 60 days experiments, the treatment groups rats had hypokinesia and dry fur when compared with control groups, and in a dose-dependent manner. The liver coefficients, levels of ALT and AST of plasma weren't changed significantly when conpared with control groups. The liver had varying degrees of steatosis and inflammation cell infiltration in the treatment groups rats in 60 days experiment. CONCLUSION: Oral administration of Polygoni Multiflori Radix and Polygoni Multiflori Rodix Praeparata for 60 days have hepatoxic in rats.

Hepatic Effect of 2,3,5,4'-tetrahydroxystilbene-2-O-ß-D-glucoside, the Signature Component of Traditional Chinese Medicine Heshouwu: Advances and Prospects.

Traditional Chinese medicine Heshouwu, named Polygoni Multiflori Radix in Pharmacopoeia of the People's Republic of China (PPRC, 2020), is derived from the root tuber of Polygonum multiflorum Thunb., Heshouwu or processed Heshouwu is well known for its function in reducing lipids and nourishing the liver. However, increasing cases of Heshouwu-induced hepatotoxicity were reported in recent years. Researchers have begun to study the paradoxical effects of Heshouwu on the liver. 2,3,5,4'-tetrahydroxystilbene-2-O-ß-D-glucoside (TSG), an abundant functional component of Heshouwu, shows various biological activities, among which its effect on the liver is worthy of attention. This paper reviews the current studies of TSG on hepatoprotection and hepatotoxicity, and summarizes the doses, experimental models, effects, and mechanisms of action involved in TSG's hepatoprotection and hepatotoxicity, aiming to provide insight for future study of TSG and understanding the effects of Heshouwu on the liver. Emerging evidence suggests that TSG ameliorates both pathological liver injury and chemical-induced liver injury by modulating lipid metabolism, inhibiting the inflammatory response and oxidative stress in the liver. However, with the reports of clinical cases of Heshouwu induced liver injury, it has been found that long-term exposure to a high dose of TSG cause hepatocyte or hepatic tissue damage. Moreover, TSG may cause hepatotoxicity by affecting the transport and metabolism of other possible hepatoxic compounds in Heshouwu. Studies indicate that trans-TSG can be isomerized into cis-TSG under illumination, and cis-TSG had a less detrimental dose to liver function than trans- TSG in LPS-treated rats. In brief, TSG has protective effects on the liver, but liver injury usually occurs under highdose TSG or is idiosyncratic TSG-induced liver injury.

Inhibition Mechanism of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum on the Growth and Biogenic Amine Production in Morganella morganii.

Morganella morganii, a spoilage bacterium in fermented foods, produces harmful biogenic amines (BAs). Although Lactiplantibacillus plantarum is widely used to inhibit spoilage bacteria, the inhibition pattern and inhibition mechanism of M. morganii by Lpb. plantarum are not well studied. In this study, we analysed the effects of the addition of Lpb. plantarum cell-free supernatant (CFS) on the growth and BA accumulation of M. morganii and revealed the mechanisms of changes in different BAs by using RNA sequencing transcriptome analysis. The results showed that Lpb. plantarum CFS could significantly inhibit M. morganii BAs in a weak acid environment (pH 6), and the main changes were related to metabolism. Carbohydrate and energy metabolism were significantly down-regulated, indicating that Lpb. plantarum CFS inhibited the growth activity and decreased the BA content of M. morganii. In addition, the change in histamine content is also related to the metabolism of its precursor amino acids, the change in putrescine content may also be related to the decrease in precursor amino acid synthesis and amino acid transporter, and the decrease in cadaverine content may also be related to the decrease in the cadaverine transporter. The results of this study help to inhibit the accumulation of harmful metabolites in fermented foods.

Potential biomarkers screening of Polygonum multiflorum radix-induced liver injury based on metabonomics analysis of clinical samples.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Polygonum multiflorum Radix (PMR) is the dried root tuber of Polygonum multiflorum Thunb., which has been used in the clinic for a variety of pharmacological activities. However, Polygonum multiflorum Radix-induced liver injury (PMR-ILI) has been reported in recent years, which has limited its clinical use to some extent. The occurrence of PMR-ILI is not universal, so finding the different metabolic characteristics between PMR-ILI and Polygonum multiflorum Radix-tolerance group (PMR-T) is very important for the PMR rational clinical application and PMR-ILI early clinical diagnosis. METHODS: In this study, 6 clinical plasma samples of PMR-ILI and 13 PMR-T were collected and analyzed by high-resolution liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Firstly, the differential metabolites of the two groups were screened by conventional screening methods such as multivariate statistical analysis. Secondly, the characteristic metabolites with greater contribution, correlation with liver injury and high sensitivity were screened by correlation analysis with clinical liver injury indicators, random forest analysis, and receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC). RESULTS: After multivariate statistical analysis and screening analysis, 29 differential metabolites were identified. Compared with PMR-T group, the metabolism of glycerol and phospholipid, glutamine and glutamate, phenylalanine, sphingolipid and tryptophan in PMR-ILI group were disturbed. After correlation analysis with liver injury indexes and random forest screening, 8 potential biomarkers closely related to clinical liver injury were obtained. Finally, 3 potential biomarkers with high expression in PMR-ILI, hypoxanthine, LysoPC(P-16:0/0:0) and taurochenodesoxycholic acid, were screened out through the analysis of ROC, which can provide a basis for the early clinical diagnosis. CONCLUSION: Based on the analysis of the PMR-ILI and PMR-T plasma samples by LC-MS, three biomarkers of clinical liver injury of Polygonum multiflorum Radix were selected: hypoxanthine, LysoPC(P-16:0/0:0) and taurochenodeoxycholic acid.

[Damage effect of Polygonum multiflorum fractions on human normal liver cells L02 and liver cancer cells HepG2].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the damage effect of different fractions from Polygonum multiflorum on normal human liver and liver cancer cells, in order to seek for fractions that can obviously kill cancer cells but have less impact on normal liver cells, and make a preliminary study on different mechanism of the two kinds of cells. METHOD: P. multiflorum water-eluted fraction (RW), 50% ethanol-eluted fraction (R50) and 95% ethanol-eluted fraction (R95) were successively obtained from 70% ethanol extracts of P. multiflorum, after being eluted by water, 50% ethanol and 95% ethanol and then absorbed by AB-8 macroporous resin. Normal human liver L02 cells and liver cancer HepG2 cells were incubated with cell supernatants from different fractions and cells. MTT method and inverted microscope were adopted to observe the impact of L02 on growth of HepG2 cells, screening fractions with damage effect and detect their doses and time effect. Giemsa stain showed changes in cell nucleus after administration and flow cytometry analysis was used to detect cycle and apoptosis of L02 cells. RESULT: MTT method and inverted microscope showed that R50 had significant growth inhibition effects on L02 and HepG2 cells. According to giemsa stain and flow cytometry analysis, R50 showed different effect on inducing the two cells: there are much more apoptotic HepG2 cells than apoptotic L02 cells in each time phase (the proportion of the apoptosis cells in HepG2 group were 83.62%, 60.52% and 74.49%, and ID2 31.02%, 20.57% and 25.32% after treated with R50 for 24, 48, 72 h. Both cells showed less than 5% of apoptotic cells in the negative control group in each time phase). However, there is no significant impact on cycle of both cells. CONCLUSION: R50 from P. multiflorum extracts had different damage effects on human liver L02 cells and liver cancer HepG2 cells, which was caused by different degree of induction on apoptosis of the two cells in nature.

Inhibition of CYP3A4 enhances aloe-emodin induced hepatocyte injury.

Aloe-emodin (AE) is a natural hydroxyanthraquinone derivative that was found in many medicinal plants and ethnic medicines. AE showed a wide array of pharmacological activities including anticancer, antifungal, laxative, antiviral, and antibacterial effects. However, increasing number of published studies have shown that AE may have some hepatotoxicity effects but the mechanism is not fully understood. Studies have shown that the liver injury induced by some free hydroxyanthraquinone compounds is associated with the inhibition of some metabolic enzymes. In this study, the CYP3A4 and CYP3A1 were found to be the main metabolic enzymes of AE in human and rat liver microsomes respectively. And AE was metabolized by liver microsomes to produce hydroxyl metabolites and rhein. When CYP3A4 was knocked down in L02 and HepaRG cells, the cytotoxicity of AE was increased significantly. Furthermore, AE increased the rates of apoptosis of L02 and HepaRG cells, accompanied by Ca2+ elevation, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) loss and reactive oxygen species (ROS) overproduction. The mRNA expression of heme oxygenase-1 in L02 and HepaRG cells increased significantly in the high-dose of AE (40 µmol/L) group, and the mRNA expression of quinone oxidoreductase-1 was activated by AE in all concentrations. Taken together, the inhibition of CYP3A4 enhances the hepatocyte injury of AE. AE can induce mitochondrial injury and the imbalance of oxidative stress of hepatocytes, which results in hepatocyte apoptosis.

A triple combination strategy of UHPLC-MSn, hypolipidemic activity and transcriptome sequencing to unveil the hypolipidemic mechanism of Nelumbo nucifera alkaloids.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Nelumbo nucifera (N. nucifera), a kind of edible Chinese herbal, has been studied in treating hyperlipidemia. However, the hypolipidemic mechanism of N. nucifera remains unknown. Aims of this review: We aimed to screen the effective constituent of N. nucifera alkaloids and elucidated the potential mechanism for treating hyperlipidemia. A triple combination strategy of UHPLC-MSn, hypolipidemic activity and transcriptome sequencing was built to unveil the hypolipidemic mechanism of Nelumbo nucifera alkaloid. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We comprehensively investigated the characterization of N. nucifera alkaloids by using UHPLC-LTQ-Orbitrap MSn. And the hypolipidemic activity of candidate active ingredients were evaluated on sodium oleate-induced HepG2 cell. Finally, O-nornuciferine and N. nucifera alkaloid extraction were analyzed by RNA sequence (RNA-seq) to decipher the underlying hypolipidemic mechanism and were verified by qRT-PCR. RESULTS: 35 compounds were identified from N. nucifera alkaloid extraction by UHPLC-LTQ-Orbitrap MSn. Among them, O-nornuciferine and N. nucifera alkaloid extraction which showed significant hypolipidemic activity were analyzed by transcriptome sequencing. After the intervention of O-nornuciferine and N. nucifera alkaloid extraction, 1 and 158 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified, severally. The enrichment analysis indicated that the hypolipidemic effect was adjusted by the expression of numerous key DEGs involved in bile secretion, glycerolipid and sphingolipid metabolism, PPAR signaling pathway. CONCLUSIONS: O-nornuciferine and N. nucifera alkaloids had exibited significant effects in hyperlipidemia. The candidate genes were LDLR, LPL and ANGPTL4, etc. It was most likely that they adjusted lipid metabolism by modulating expression levels of various key factors which were involved in bile secretion, glycerolipid metabolism, sphingolipid metabolism and PPAR signaling pathway, and so on. This study clarified the hypolipidemic mechanism of the alkaloids in N. nucifera, and laid a foundation for the subsequent development of clinical application and better quality of N. nucifera.

Exploration of components and mechanisms of Polygoni Multiflori Radix-induced hepatotoxicity using siRNA -mediated CYP3A4 or UGT1A1 knockdown liver cells.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Polygoni Multiflori Radix, the dried root of Polygonum multiflorum Thunb., and its processed products have been used as restoratives for centuries in China. However, the reports of Polygoni Multiflori Radix-induced liver injury (PMR-ILI) have received wide attention in recent years, and the components and mechanism of PMR-ILI are not completely clear yet. Our previous studies found that the PMR-ILI was related to the down-regulation of some drug metabolism enzymes (DME). AIM OF THE STUDY: To explore the effect of the inhibition of CYP3A4 or UGT1A1 on PMR-ILI, screen the relevant hepatotoxic components and unveil its mechanism. METHODS: RT-qPCR was used to detect the effects of water extract of Polygoni Multiflori Radix (PMR) and its main components on the mRNA expression of CYP3A4 and UGT1A1 in human hepatic parenchyma cell line L02. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was employed to detect the content of major components in the PMR. And then, the stable CYP3A4 or UGT1A1 knockdown cells were generated using short hairpin RNAs (shRNA) in L02 and HepaRG cells. Hepatotoxic components were identified by cell viability assay when PMR and its four representative components, 2,3,5,4'-tetrahydroxy stilbene glycoside (TSG), emodin (EM), emodin-8-O-ß-D-glucoside (EG), and gallic acid (GA), acted on CYP3A4 or UGT1A1 knockdown cell lines. The PMR-ILI mechanism of oxidative stress injury and apoptosis in L02 and HepaRG cells were detected by flow cytometry. Finally, the network toxicology prediction analysis was employed to excavate the targets of its possible toxic components and the influence on the metabolic pathway. RESULTS: PMR and EM significantly inhibited the mRNA expression of CYP3A4 and UGT1A1 in L02 cells, while TSG and GA activated the mRNA expression of CYP3A4 and UGT1A1, and EG activated CYP3A4 expression while inhibited UGT1A1 expression. The contents of TSG, EG, EM and GA were 34.93 mg/g, 1.39 mg/g, 0.43 mg/g and 0.44 mg/g, respectively. The CYP3A4 or UGT1A1 knockdown cells were successfully constructed in both L02 and HepaRG cells. Low expression of CYP3A4 or UGT1A1 increased PMR cytotoxicity remarkably. Same as PMR, the toxicity of EM and GA increased in shCYP3A4 and shUGT1A1 cells, which suggested EM and GA may be the main components of hepatotoxicity in PMR. Besides, EM not only inhibited the expression of metabolic enzymes but also reduced the cytotoxicity threshold. EM and GA affected the level of ROS, mitochondrial membrane potential, Ca2+ concentration, and dose-dependent induced hepatocyte apoptosis in L02 and HepaRG cells. The network toxicology analysis showed that PMR-ILI was related to drug metabolism-cytochrome P450, glutathione metabolism, and steroid hormone biosynthesis. CONCLUSION: The inhibition of mRNA expression of CYP3A4 or UGT1A1 enhanced hepatotoxicity of PMR. EM and GA, especially EM, may be the main hepatotoxic components in PMR. The mechanism of PMR, EM and GA induced hepatotoxicity was proved to be related to elevated levels of ROS, mitochondrial membrane potential, Ca2+ concentration, and induction of apoptosis in liver cells.

[Effects of extract of Polygonum multiflorum on cell cycle arrest and apoptosis of human liver cell line L02].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the chemical constituents of Polygonum multiflorum extract which may cause human liver cell damage and to explore the mechanism. METHODS: Raw and processed Polygonum multiflorum were extracted by 70% ethanol, then raw and processed Polygonum multiflorum water-eluted material (RW and PW), 50% ethanol-eluted material (R50 and P50) and 95% ethanol-eluted material (R95 and P95) were obtained by absorbing through AB-8 macroporous resin, followed by water, 50% ethanol and 95% ethanol elution in order. The water extracts of raw and processed Polygonum multiflorum (RWE or PWE) were obtained by boiling them in water as usual. Normal human liver L02 cells were treated by different concentrations of eluted Polygonum multiflorum materials for different time, and the cell growth inhibition of each group was determined by methylthiazolyldiphenyl-tetrazolium bromide method. The chemical constituents which had a significant cytotoxicity to L02 cells were analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Morphological changes of L02 cells were observed by Giemsa staining and cell cycle distribution was observed by flow cytometry. RESULTS: It was found that 95% ethanol-eluted extracts of raw and processed Polygonum multiflorum showed significant growth inhibition on normal human liver L02 cells, while the other components showed no significant inhibition on cell growth. HPLC analysis showed that the main component in 95% ethanol-eluted extract of raw and processed Polygonum multiflorum was emodin at content of (18.53+/-2.96)% and (10.28+/-1.34)% respectively. Cell cycle analysis showed that 95% ethanol-eluted material of Polygonum multiflorum and emodin had a similar significant effect of S phase arrest and all could induce L02 cell apoptosis. CONCLUSION: The main part of Polygonum multiflorum causing liver cell damage is the 95% ethanol-eluted extract, and emodin is one of the important chemical constituents leading to liver cell damage.

Repositioning of Hypoglycemic Drug Linagliptin for Cancer Treatment.

BACKGROUND: Drug repositioning, development of new uses for marketed drugs, is an effective way to discover new antitumor compounds. In this study, we used a new method, filtering compounds via molecular docking to find key targets combination. METHODS: The data of gene expression in cancer and normal tissues of colorectal, breast, and liver cancer were obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas Project (TCGA). The key targets combination was obtained from the protein-protein interaction network (PPI network) and the correlation analysis of the targets. Molecular docking was used to reposition the drugs which were obtained from DrugBank. MTT proliferation assay and animal experiments were used to verify the activity of candidate compounds. Flow cytometric analysis of proliferation, cell cycle and apoptosis, slice analysis, gene regulatory network, and Western blot were performed to elucidate the mechanism of drug action. RESULTS: CDK1 and AURKB were identified as a pair of key targets by the analysis of different expression gene from TCGA. Three compounds, linagliptin, mupirocin, and tobramycin, from 12 computationally predicted compounds, were verified to inhibit cell viability in HCT116 (colorectal), MCF7 (breast), and HepG2 (liver) cancer cells. Linagliptin, a hypoglycemic drug, was proved to inhibit cell proliferation by cell cycle arrest and induce apoptosis in HCT116 cells, and suppress tumor growth in nude mice bearing HCT116 cells. Linagliptin reduced the tumor size and decreased the expression of Ki67, a nuclear protein expressed in all proliferative cells. Gene regulatory network and Western blot analysis suggested that linagliptin inhibited tumor cell proliferation and promoted cell apoptosis through suppressing the expression and phosphorylation of Rb, plus down-regulating the expression of Pro-caspase3 and Bcl-2, respectively. CONCLUSION: The combination of key targets based on the protein-protein interaction network that were built by the different gene expression of TCGA data to reposition the marketed drugs turned out to be a new approach to discover new antitumor drugs. Hypoglycemic drug linagliptin could potentially lead to novel therapeutics for the treatment of tumors, especially for colorectal cancer. Gene regulatory network is a valuable method for predicting and explaining the mechanism of drugs action.

[Retrospective study of adverse events of Polygonum multiflorum and risk control].

To provide a reference for rational clinical medication and review the irrational use and factors relating the adverse events of Polygonum multiflorum. The literatures on P. multiflorum published between 1978 and 2008 were reviewed and the reports on clinical use were analyzed. A total of 26 literatures were retrieved. 38 cases of adverse drug event were reported, 10 cases of allergy, 24 cases of liver damage, and 4 cases presented with other adverse events. Irrational use is common in both self-medication and doctor prescription. It is one of the main factors of adverse events. Improving clinical rational use is the most important way to control its risk.

Parent-reported suicidal behavior and correlates among adolescents in China.

BACKGROUND: Suicidal risk begins to increase during adolescence and is associated with multiple biological, psychological, social, and cultural factors. This study examined the prevalence and psychosocial factors of parent-reported suicidal behavior in Chinese adolescents. METHODS: A community sample of 1920 adolescents in China participated in an epidemiological study. Parents completed a structured questionnaire including child suicidal behavior, illness history, mental health problems, family history, parenting, and family environment. Multiple logistic regression was used for data analysis. RESULTS: Overall, 2.4% of the sample talked about suicide in the previous 6 months, 3.2% had deliberately hurt themselves or attempted suicide, and 5.1% had either suicidal talk or self-harm. The rate of suicidal behavior increased as adolescents aged. Multivariate logistic regression indicated that the following factors were significantly associated with elevated risk for suicidal behavior: depressive/anxious symptoms, poor maternal health, family conflict, and physical punishment of parental discipline style. LIMITATIONS: Suicidal behavior was reported by parents. No causal relationships could be made based on cross-sectional data. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence rate of parent-reported suicidal behavior is markedly lower than self-reported rate in previous research. Depressive/anxious symptoms and multiple family environmental factors are associated with suicidal behavior in Chinese adolescents.

Hepatotoxicity in Rats Induced by Aqueous Extract of Polygoni Multiflori Radix, Root of Polygonum multiflorum Related to the Activity Inhibition of CYP1A2 or CYP2E1.

The objective of this study is to investigate the relationship between the hepatotoxicity induced by Polygoni Multiflori Radix (PMR, root of Polygonum multiflorum Thunb., He Shou Wu) and the activity of CYP1A2 or CYP2E1 in the rat liver. Levels of rat serum transaminases ALT and AST were not altered but the activity of CYP1A2 or CYP2E1 in the rat liver was significantly inhibited after oral administration of aqueous extract of PMR under the experimental dosage. However, levels of ALT and AST were significantly increased and the activity of CYP1A2 or CYP2E1 was significantly decreased after injection of specific inhibitor for CYP1A2 or CYP2E1 combined with oral administration of aqueous extract of PMR, especially under the repeated treatment over interval times. Liver histopathological observation showed that a moderate liver injury occurred in rats receiving PMR treatment with the activity of CYP1A2 or CYP2E1 inhibited, but there was no significant liver damage in rats receiving PMR treatment or CYP inhibitor alone. These suggested that low level activity of CYP1A2 or CYP2E1 from genetic polymorphism among people might be one of the important reasons for the hepatotoxicity induced by PMR in clinical practice.

[Construction and verification of NF-κB luciferase reporter gene system].

To quantify the transcriptional activity of NF-κB and to screen drugs related to the regulation of NF-κB activation, we constructed a recombinant plasmid through deleting the original CMV promoter of retrovirus vector pQCXIP and inserting the NF-κB enhancer and NanoLuc luciferase sequence into the vector. Then, using the recombinant plasmid we constructed a cell line in which the expression of NanoLuc luciferase (NLuc) was regulated by NF-κB. The inserted sequences were verified by restriction endonuclease digestion and sequencing. Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), an NF-κB activator, acted on the constructed NLuc cell line and leaded to the specific luciferase reaction. The luciferase reaction showed a fine time and dose dependence to the TNF-α stimulation, indicating the successful construction of the NF-κB regulated NLuc-expressing cell line. Besides, the NF-κB inhibitor, triptolide, reduced the expression of NLuc in a dose-dependent way. The constructed reporter system in this study could be applied in the quantification of the NF-κB transcriptional activity and in the NF-κB regulation-related drug screening.

Transformation of trollioside and isoquercetin by human intestinal flora in vitro.

The present study was designed to determine the intestinal bacterial metabolites of trollioside and isoquercetin and their antibacterial activities. A systematic in vitro biotransformation investigation on trollioside and isoquercetin, including metabolite identification, metabolic pathway deduction, and time course, was accomplished using a human intestinal bacterial model. The metabolites were analyzed and identified by HPLC and HPLC-MS. The antibacterial activities of trollioside, isoquercetin, and their metabolites were evaluated using the broth microdilution method with berberine as a positive control, and their potency was measured as minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC). Our results indicated that trollioside and isoquercetin were metabolized by human intestinal flora through O-deglycosylation, yielding aglycones proglobeflowery acid and quercetin, respectively The antibacterial activities of both metabolites were more potent than that of their parent compounds. In conclusion, trollioside and isoquercetin are totally and rapidly transformed by human intestinal bacteria in vitro and the transformation favors the improvement of the antibacterial activities of the parent compounds.