Emodin is a hydroxyanthraquinone compound that is widely distributed and has multiple pharmacological activities, including anti-diarrheal, anti-inflammatory, and liver-protective effects. Research indicates that emodin may be one of the main components responsible for inducing hepatotoxicity. However, studies on the mechanisms of liver injury are relatively limited, particularly those related to bile acids(BAs) metabolism. This study aims to systematically investigate the effects of different dosages of emodin on BAs metabolism, providing a basis for the safe clinical use of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)containing emodin. First, this study evaluated the safety of repeated administration of different dosages of emodin over a 5-week period, with a particular focus on its impact on the liver. Next, the composition and content of BAs in serum and liver were analyzed. Subsequently, qRT-PCR was used to detect the mRNA expression of nuclear receptors and transporters related to BAs metabolism. The results showed that 1 g·kg~(-1) emodin induced hepatic damage, with bile duct hyperplasia as the primary pathological manifestation. It significantly increased the levels of various BAs in the serum and primary BAs(including taurine-conjugated and free BAs) in the liver. Additionally, it downregulated the mRNA expression of farnesoid X receptor(FXR), retinoid X receptor(RXR), and sodium taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide(NTCP), and upregulated the mRNA expression of cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase(CYP7A1) in the liver. Although 0.01 g·kg~(-1) and 0.03 g·kg~(-1) emodin did not induce obvious liver injury, they significantly increased the level of taurine-conjugated BAs in the liver, suggesting a potential interference with BAs homeostasis. In conclusion, 1 g·kg~(-1) emodin may promote the production of primary BAs in the liver by affecting the FXR-RXR-CYP7A1 pathway, inhibit NTCP expression, and reduce BA reabsorption in the liver, resulting in BA accumulation in the peripheral blood. This disruption of BA homeostasis leads to liver injury. Even doses of emodin close to the clinical dose can also have a certain effect on the homeostasis of BAs. Therefore, when using traditional Chinese medicine or formulas containing emodin in clinical practice, it is necessary to regularly monitor liver function indicators and closely monitor the risk of drug-induced liver injury.
Emodin/administration & dosage* ; Bile Acids and Salts/metabolism* ; Animals ; Male ; Liver/injuries* ; Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury/genetics* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/adverse effects* ; Humans ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Mice ; Rats

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of zedoarondiol on neovascularization of atherosclerotic (AS) plaque by exosomes experiment. METHODS: ApoE^-/- mice were fed with high-fat diet to establish AS model and treated with high- and low-dose (10, 5 mg/kg daily) of zedoarondiol, respectively. After 14 weeks, the expressions of anti-angiogenic protein thrombospondin 1 (THBS-1) and its receptor CD36 in plaques, as well as platelet activation rate and exosome-derived miR-let-7a were detected. Then, zedoarondiol was used to intervene in platelets in vitro, and miR-let-7a was detected in platelet-derived exosomes (Pexo). Finally, human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were transfected with miR-let-7a mimics and treated with Pexo to observe the effect of miR-let-7a in Pexo on tube formation. RESULTS: Animal experiments showed that after treating with zedoarondiol, the neovascularization density in plaques of AS mice was significantly reduced, THBS-1 and CD36 increased, the platelet activation rate was markedly reduced, and the miR-let-7a level in Pexo was reduced (P<0.01). In vitro experiments, the platelet activation rate and miR-let-7a levels in Pexo were significantly reduced after zedoarondiol's intervention. Cell experiments showed that after Pexo's intervention, the tube length increased, and the transfection of miR-let-7a minics further increased the tube length of cells, while reducing the expressions of THBS-1 and CD36. CONCLUSION Zedoarondiol has the effect of inhibiting neovascularization within plaque in AS mice, and its mechanism may be potentially related to inhibiting platelet activation and reducing the Pexo-derived miRNA-let-7a level.
Animals ; MicroRNAs/genetics* ; Exosomes/drug effects* ; Plaque, Atherosclerotic/genetics* ; Neovascularization, Pathologic/genetics* ; Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells/metabolism* ; Humans ; Blood Platelets/drug effects* ; Apolipoproteins E/deficiency* ; Thrombospondin 1/metabolism* ; CD36 Antigens/metabolism* ; Platelet Activation/drug effects* ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL

Inosine 5′-monophosphate dehydrogenase (IMPDH) is a key enzyme catalyzing the rate-limiting step of de novo nucleotide synthesis in vivo. In recent years, it has become a therapeutic target for anti-virus, anti-bacterial, anti-cancer, anti-parasitic and other diseases. IMPDH inhibitors have been shown to inhibit viral prolife-ration in host cells by depleting guanosine 5′-monophosphate (GMP), the raw material required for viral replication in host cells, with broad-spectrum antiviral properties. In order to find novel anti-coronavirus drugs, this study screened 22 potential IMPDH inhibitors from 70 000 natural small molecule libraries based on IMPDH protein structure using molecular docking and ROC calculation for virtual screening. With ribavirin as the positive control drug, Huh7 cell and H460 cell models were used to verify the anti-coronavirus HCoV-229E and HCoV-OC43 activities of 22 selected target compounds. Among them, compounds 11, 12, 15 and 16 showed inhibitory activity against coronavirus HCoV-229E. The compounds 4, 12, 13 and 15 showed inhibitory activities against coronavirus HCoV-OC43. 12 and 15 showed significant inhibitory activity against both two coronaviruses, and their efficacy was similar to ribavirin at the same dose, which can be further studied as a lead compound for IMPDH inhibitors.

This study investigated the protective effect and related mechanisms of Xinhui citrus fermentation liquor on mice with ulcerative colitis. Animal experiments follow the rules of Animal Ethics Committee of Southern Medical University. C57BL/6 mice were given 3% dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) for 6 days to induce acute ulcerative colitis. During this period, Xinhui citrus fermentation liquor, decoction of Citrus reticulata blanco (both orally administrated with 300 mg·kg^-1·d^-1 crude polysaccharide) or positive drug 5-aminosalicylic acid (100 mg·kg^-1·d^-1) were gavaged continuously for 9 days. Cecal contents were collected for 16S rRNA sequencing analysis. The levels of inflammatory factors, tight junction proteins and nuclear factor erythroid 2 related factor 2 / Nod-like receptor protein 3 (Nrf2/NLRP3) pathway related proteins in the colon were detected by real-time PCR (RT-PCR), immunofluorescence and Western blot. Our results showed that Xinhui citrus fermentation liquor and Citrus reticulata blanco protected against UC-induced weight loss, diarrhea, bloody stool, and colon shortening. The mRNA and protein levels of pro-inflammatory factors, such as interleukin 6 (Il-6) and CXC chemokine ligand 10 (Cxcl10) and NLRP3 inflammasome were significantly decreased; the mRNA levels of colon anti-inflammatory factor (Il-10), tight junction protein [zonula occludens-1 (Zo-1), occludin, claudin-1], mucin 2 (Muc2), Nrf2, as well as the mRNA and protein levels of NAD(P)H quinine oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1) and heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1) were significantly increased. In addition, Xinhui citrus fermentation liquor increased the abundance of Akkermansia and reduced the abundance of harmful bacteria Enterococcus and Streptococcus. The correlation analysis showed that the abundance of Akkermansia was positively correlated with anti-inflammatory factors, tight junction protein and the related genes levels of Nrf2 signaling pathway. In summary, Xinhui citrus fermentation liquor ameliorates acute ulcerative colitis in mice via regulating intestinal bacteria homeostasis and Nrf2/NLRP3 pathway to repair intestinal mucosa.

In
Acupuncture ; Acupuncture Therapy ; China ; Moxibustion

Objective:To compare the characteristics of four commonly adopted animal models of hyperuricemia （HUA） for traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） screening， so as to choose the adequate model for screening Chinese herbs and herbal compounds capable of lowering the uric acid. Method:Fifty-four male SD rats were randomly divided into nine groups， namely the normal group， hypoxanthine （HX） + oxonic acid potassium salt （OAPS） model group， yeast extract （YE） + OAPS model group， low-dose adenine （AD） + ethambutol （EMB） model group， high-dose AD + EMB model group， and four positive drug allopurinol （Allo） groups. The modeling lasted for 14 d. The levels of serum uric acid （SUA）， urinary uric acid （UUA）， serum creatinine （SCr）， urea nitrogen （BUN）， kidney injury molecule 1 （KIM-1）， and neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin （NGAL） were detected on the 3rd， 7th， and 14th days. Urine was collected on the 7th and 14th days to investigate changes in urine volume， and the crystals in the residual urine were observed under a polarizing microscope. After the modeling， the kidney was harvested and weighed， followed by pathological examination. Result:The urine volumes in the HX + OAPS model group and high-dose AD + EMB model group were significantly reduced （P<0.05）. The renal indexes of each model group， except for the YE + OAPS model group， were significantly elevated （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The increase in SUA of the HX + OAPS model group and YE + OAPS model group started later （P<0.05）. The KIM-1 and NGAL levels of the HX + OAPS model group rose significantly from the 7th day （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and the BUN increased significantly on the 14th day （P<0.05）. There was no significant difference in the above-mentioned indicators in the YE + OAPS model group. The SUA levels of the low- and high-dose AD + EMB model groups increased significantly on the 3rd day （P<0.05， P<0.01）， with a persistent increase found in the low-dose AD + EMB model group. Besides， the increase in BUN， KIM-1， and NGAL occurred later （P<0.05， P<0.01）. By contrast， the high-dose AD + EMB model group exhibited a transient increase in SUA. Moreover， the SCr， BUN， KIM-1， and NGAL elevation occurred earlier and were more obvious than those in the low-dose AD + EMB model group （P<0.01）. Remarkable histomorphological abnormalities were detected in the kidney of all model groups， except for the YE+OAPS model group， with the most severe injury present in the high-dose AD+EMB model group. Conclusion:The four models commonly used to screen TCM have their own characteristics. In the four models， the SUA elevation in the HX + OAPS model group and YE + OAPS model group started later， with the mild renal injury observed in the HX + OAPS model group instead of the YE + OAPS model group. The SUA of the low-dose AD + EMB model group increased rapidly and lasted for a long time， accompanied by mild renal injury. The SUA of the high-dose AD + EMB model group only showed a transient increase， accompanied by severe renal injury. The investigation on the characteristics and application of different models and the evaluation of these models based on sensitive and objective indicators are helpful for determining the suitable model for the screening of TCM targeting HUA in the future.

Objective:To investigate whether the adverse reactions of Xuebijing injection (XBJJ) are mainly pseudoallergic reactions and explore the influencing factors of its pseudoallergic reactions. Method:Mouse model of pseudoallergic reaction was used to study the anaphylactoid reaction of XBJJ which at 0.5, 1 and 2 times of the highest clinical concentration. Next, we compared the differences in pseudoallergic reactions caused by XBJJ for different storage times after preparation. Specifically, XBJJ was prepared into different concentrations, stored for 10 minutes, 2.5 hours, 6 hours and 24 hours, and then injected into the tail vein of mice. Finally, three different injection speeds of 3 seconds, 45 seconds and 90 seconds were selected for XBJJ injection, and then the differences in the paeudoallergic reactions induced by XBJJ in mice under different injection speeds were compared. Result:XBJJ induces pseudoallergic reactions in mice when the drug concentration is higher than the clinically recommended concentration. Compared with storage for 10 minutes after preparation, the degree of pseudoallergic reaction in mice induced by the same concentration of XBJJ increased with the extension of storage time. In addition, when XBJJ was injected in 3 s (the injection rate was 0.083 mL·s^-1), it produced the strongest pseudoallergic reaction. Conclusion:The adverse reactions induced by XBJJ are mainly pseudoallergic reactions. Excessive storage time after preparation and fast injection speed of XBJJ will lead to aggravation of pseudoallergic reactions in mice. When XBJJ is used clinically, it should strictly follow the usage, dosage, concentration, and drip rate recommended in the drug instruction manual. Rational drug use is of positive significance for improving the safety of XBJJ.

In this study, different batches of Xingnaojing injection products were first selected for pseudoallergic mice test, and the results showed that after injection of 6.6-fold clinical dose Xingnaojing injection, the mice showed a slight pseudoallergic reaction, while other mice injected with other batches of injections showed no obvious pseudoallergic reaction. Therefore, it is preliminarily believed that this mice model can effectively indicate the risk of pseudoallergic reactions in the clinical application of Xingnaojing injections. In addition, by changing some of the processes, a high concentration of Xingnaojing injection was prepared for mice pseudoallergic test and guinea pig systemic allergy test. The results showed no significant type Ⅰ allergic reaction in guinea pigs. Mild pseudoallergic reactions occurred in mice after a 6.6-fold clinical dose injection. Therefore, it is considered that for sensitive or idiosyncratic people, the concentration of certain chemical components in Xingnaojing injection will increase after entering the body, which may increase the risk of pseudoallergic reaction. However, due to the limitations of test models, the risk of Xingnaojing injection to induce allergic reactions cannot be ruled out. Finally, by increasing the content of borneol and Tween and (or) sodium chloride in Xingnnaojing Injection and testing its pseudoallergic reactions, the results showed that the combination of these three ingredients may produce new trace sensitization substance and induce pseudoallergic reactions.

The aim of this study was to investigate the renal toxicity of rhubarb and its mechanism. The SD rats were randomly divided into three groups: normal group and two rhubarb extract groups (16, 2 g·kg⁻¹). According to the dose conversion method between human and animal, rhubarb 16 g·kg⁻¹ and 2 g·kg⁻¹ were equivalent to 10 times and 1.25 times of human clinical dose respectively. Rhubarb extract was administered by a gastric gavage to rats once daily for 30 days. Serum urea nitrogen （BUN）, creatinine （CRE） and urine KIM-1, NGAL and renal morphology were analyzed. The expressions of OAT1, OAT3 and clusterin mRNA in kidney were measured. The results showed that the low dose of rhubarb had no obvious renal toxicity. The high dose group showed mild and moderate renal injury and a down-regulation of clusterin mRNA expression in the kidney tissue. The renal toxicity in male animals was heavier than that in female animals. There was no significant change in blood BUN and CRE in the high dose group. But urine NGAL level of the high dose group increased by 51.53% compared with normal group, of which male animals increased more significantly (<0.05, compared with the normal group). The expressions of renal OAT1 and OAT3 mRNA in the low dose group were obviously higher than that in the normal group. The results indicated that the high dose of rhubarb could cause the renal toxicity. The dosage should be controlled reasonably in the clinical use. OAT1 and OAT3 mRNA related to anionic transport in kidney tissue played a compensatory protective role in rhubarb-induced renal injury. But the compensatory effect is relatively weak at the high dose level. In addition, routine renal function indicators BUN and CRE had limitation for monitoring the kidney toxicity of rhubarb. It is suggested that urine NGAL detection might be helpful for monitoring the renal toxicity of rhubarb.

This study aimed to explore the characteristics and the influencing factors of Qingkailing injection (QKLI) pseudoallergic reaction, and screen out the possible pseudoallergenic substances. The results showed that ICR and Kunming mice had stronger pseudoallergic reactions than BALB/c and C57 mice after being injected with the same dose of QKLI. The pseudoallergic reaction induced by QKLI that was prepared with 0.9% saline was stronger than that prepared with 5% glucose. When the dose was twice of the clinical dose, some batches of QKLI could cause significant or suspected pseudoallergic reactions; when the dose dropped to clinically equal times, all of the batches did not induce pseudoallergic reactions in mice. Different batches of QKLI induced different pseudoallergic reactions in mice. Therefore, QKLI's pseudoallergic reactions might have a certain relationship with different body constitutions. Different solvents might affect the safety of QKLI. QKIL-induced pseudoallergic reactions had the different characteristics between batches, and the dosage should be strictly controlled in clinical use. After the comparison of pseudoallergic reactions induced by different components and different intermediates of QKLI in mice, it was preliminary believed that pseudoallergenic substances might exist in intermediate Isatidis Radix extracts and Gardenia extracts, but specific pseudoallergens shall be furthered studied in subsequent experiences.
Animals ; Drug Hypersensitivity ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; adverse effects ; Injections ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Mice, Inbred ICR