Studies have suggested that the nucleus accumbens (NAc) is implicated in the pathophysiology of major depression; however, the regulatory strategy that targets the NAc to achieve an exclusive and outstanding anti-depression benefit has not been elucidated. Here, we identified a specific reduction of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) in the subset of dopamine D1 receptor medium spiny neurons (D1-MSNs) in the NAc that promoted stress susceptibility, while the stimulation of cAMP production in NAc D1-MSNs efficiently rescued depression-like behaviors. Ketamine treatment enhanced cAMP both in D1-MSNs and dopamine D2 receptor medium spiny neurons (D2-MSNs) of depressed mice, however, the rapid antidepressant effect of ketamine solely depended on elevating cAMP in NAc D1-MSNs. We discovered that a higher dose of crocin markedly increased cAMP in the NAc and consistently relieved depression 24 h after oral administration, but not a lower dose. The fast onset property of crocin was verified through multicenter studies. Moreover, crocin specifically targeted at D1-MSN cAMP signaling in the NAc to relieve depression and had no effect on D2-MSN. These findings characterize a new strategy to achieve an exclusive and outstanding anti-depression benefit by elevating cAMP in D1-MSNs in the NAc, and provide a potential rapid antidepressant drug candidate, crocin.

AIM: To investigate the pharmacokinetic properties of the main active components of Dalitong extract in SD rats after oral administration using UPLC-MS / MS. METHODS: An UPLC-MS / MS method was established to simultaneously detect tetrahydropalmatine, nobiletin and costunolide in the plasma and tissues of SD rats. The method was applied to investigate the pharmacokinetic characteristics and tissue distribution. RESULTS: After a single oral administration, the three active components were rapidly absorbed into the body, with a peak concentration (Cmax) of (13.73 ± 7.50), (27.01 ± 17.69) and (6.73 ± 29.94) ng / mL for tetrahydropalmatine, nobiletin, and costunolide, respectively. The time to reach the peak concentration (Tmax) was (1.40 ± 0.93), (0.63 ± 0.28) and (2.38 ± 8.81) h, respectively. The area under the curve (AUC) was (80.43±40.03), (41.30±28.69) and (303.90 ± 136.69) ng · h · mL

Traditional Chinese medicine,as a treasure of the Chinese nation,has a long history and rich cultural connotations.O-ver the past few hundred years,a large number of active compounds with clear structure,significant activity and elucidated mechanism have been discovered.Their research constitutes the material basis for traditional Chinese medicine research.However,the natural components of traditional Chinese medicine have diverse skeletons and complex structures.In addition to small molecule monomer com-pounds,more and more recent studies have found that there are new forms of material basis for traditional Chinese medicines to exert their pharmacological effects,such as supramolecules formed by active monomer compounds,and bio-macromolecules with pharmaco-logical activity.This article focuses on new forms of the material basis of traditional Chinese medicine,and through analysis of new technologies,mechanisms,and applications,it aims to provide new ideas for research on the material basis of efficacy in traditional Chinese medicine and its pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic correlation.

AIM:To study the effect of hepatitis B combined with hepatic fibrosis on endogenous and exogenous metabolism of liver and the effect of glycyrrhizic acid combined with tenofovir(TFV)es-ter on anti-HBV efficacy.METHODS:Hepatitis B mouse was induced by chronic CCI4 to form a mod-el of hepatitis B with hepatic fibrosis.H&E staining,Sirius Red Staining,α-SMA immunohistochemistry were used to detect pathological changes in liver tissue.The changes of liver endogenous metabo-lism in mice with hepatitis B and hepatic fibrosis were detected by metabolomics.LC-MS/MS was used to investigate the plasma and liver concentra-tions of TFV and its active metabolite(TFV-DP),for investigating the changes of exogenous metabo-lism.RESULTS:HBV+CCl4 mice showed fibrosis symptoms such as liver injury and collagen deposi-tion.Hepatitis B combined with hepatic fibrosis af-fected nucleotide metabolism,amino acid metabo-lism,tricarboxylic acid cycle,pentose phosphate pathway and other endogenous metabolism,low-ered the hepatic level of TFV-DP,and decreased the antiviral efficacy.By combining with glycyrrhizic acid or forming a self-assembled preparation,the hepatic level of TFV-DP was improved,and the anti-viral efficacy was enhanced.CONCLUSIONS:Hepati-tis B combined with hepatic fibrosis affected both endogenous and exogenous metabolism of liver.Different forms of combination of glycyrrhizic acid and TFV could elevate the level of TFV-DP in liver and improve the antiviral efficacy in HBV+CCI4 mice.

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease(MASLD)is the most prevalent chronic liver disease globally,with only one Food and Drug Administration(FDA)-approved drug for its treatment.Given MASLD's complex pathophysiology,ther-apies that simultaneously target multiple pathways are highly desirable.One promising approach is dual-modulation of the famesoid X receptor(FXR),which regulates lipid and bile acid metabolism.However,FXR agonists alone are insufficient due to their limited anti-inflammatory effects.This study aimed to dto identify natural products capable of both FXR activation and inflammation inhibition to provide a comprehensive therapeutic approach for MASLD.Potential FXR ligands from the Natural Product Library were predicted via virtual screening using the Protein Preparation Wizard module in Schrodinger(2018)for molecular docking.Direct binding and regulation of candidate compounds on FXR were analyzed using surface plasmon resonance(SPR)binding assay,reporter gene ana-lysis,and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR).The anti-inflammatory properties of these compounds were eval-uated in AML12 cells treated with tumor necrosis factor-alpha(TNF-α).Dual-function compounds with FXR agonism and inflamma-tion inhibition were further identified in cells transfected with Fxr siRNA and treated with TNF-α.The effects of these dual-function compounds on lipid accumulation and inflammation were evaluated in cells treated with palmitic acid.Results revealed that 17 natural products were predicted via computational molecular docking as potential FXR agonists,with 15 exhibiting a strong affinity for FXR recombinant protein.Nine isoflavone compounds significantly enhanced FXR reporter luciferase activity and the mRNA expressions of Shp and Ostb.Structure-activity relationship analysis indicated that introducing isopropyl or methoxy groups at the C7 position or a methoxy group at the C6 position could enhance the agonistic efficacy of isoflavones.Three compounds(2,6,and 8)were identified as dual-function natural products functioning as FXR agonists and inflammatory inhibitors,while one compound(12)acted as an FXR agonist to inhibit inflammation.These natural products protected hepatocytes against palmitic acid-induced lipid accumulation and in-flammation.In conclusion,compounds 2,6,and 8(genistein,biochanin A,and 7-methoxyisoflavone,respectively)were identified as dual-function bioactive products that transactivate FXR and inhibit inflammation,serving as potential candidates or lead compounds for MASLD therapy.

[Objective]To explore the clinical application of Danggui Beimu Kushen Pill in tumor from the pathogenesis of phlegm-stasis-toxin.[Methods]Based on the relevant discussion of Lingshu,the important pathogenesis of tumor occurrence and development was discussed.Meanwhile,the mechanism of formulation of Danggui Beimu Kushen Pill was deconstructed on the basis of the pathogenesis of phlegm,stasis and poison,and related clinical cases were listed.[Results]The pathogenesis of ma-lignant tumor was"no phlegm stasis,no shape"and"no toxic evil,no malignancy".The formulation principle of Danggui Beimu Kushen Pill was the method of eliminating phlegm and removing stasis and detoxifying.Two cases were examplifed,the patient in case 1 was prostate cancer after adverse urination,because the patient had the body of phlegm stasis for a long time,after the operation,the collaterals were more damaged with phlegm stasis stagnation and adverse gasification,so Danggui Beimu Kushen Pill was used to remove phlegm and stasis,added with diuretic products for cure;In case 2,the patient had the whole urine blood due to the rupture of the advanced tumor lesion of kidney cancer,because the patient had phlegm and poison glued together,the pulse was warm,resulting in kidney collateral injury and forced blood overflow,so Danggui Beimu Kushen Pill and Xijiao Dihuang Soup were used to clear heat and free strangury,and cool the blood to stop bleeding.[Conclusion]De-constructing Danggui Beimu Kushen Pill from the pathogenesis of"phlegm-stasis-toxin"can better understand the decoction and apply it in tumor clinic.

AIM: To investigate the regulatory effects of silybin on hepatic lipid metabolism in mice with non -alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) induced by high - fat and high-cholesterol (HFHD) diet. METHODS: Mice were fed a HFHD diet to construct a NASH model, and serum levels of triacylglycerol (TAG), total cholesterol (T-CHO), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) were measured using biochemical kits. H&E staining and oil red O staining were used to detect histopathological changes in the liver. Lipidomics was used to detect the alterations of hepatic lipid metabolism in NASH mice. RESULTS: Silybin significantly inhibited the increase of body weight, liver weight and abdominal fat, decreased serum T-CHO, TAG and LDL-C levels, improved hepatic lipid droplet accumulation and ballooning degeneration, and back-regulated hepatic palmitoleic acid (C16: 1) and polyunsaturated long-chain fatty acids (PUFAs) in NASH mice. CONCLUSION: Silybin possibly reduced hepatic lipid accumulation and lipotoxicity by modulating abnormal hepatic lipid metabolism in mice induced by HFHC diet.

Depression is a mental disorder with high morbidity, disability and relapse rates. Ginkgo biloba extract (GBE), a traditional Chinese medicine, has a long history of clinical application in the treatment of cerebral and mental disorders, but the key mechanism remains incompletely understood. Here we showed that GEB exerted anti-depressant effect in mice through regulating gut microbial metabolism. GBE protected against unpredictable mild stress (UMS)-induced despair, anxiety-like and social avoidance behavior in mice without sufficient brain distribution. Fecal microbiome transplantation transmitted, while antibiotic cocktail abrogated the protective effect of GBE. Spatiotemporal bacterial profiling and metabolomics assay revealed a potential involvement of Parasutterella excrementihominis and the bile acid metabolite ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) in the effect of GBE. UDCA administration induced depression-like behavior in mice. Together, these findings suggest that GBE acts on gut microbiome-modulated bile acid metabolism to alleviate stress-induced depression.
Humans ; Mice ; Animals ; Depression/drug therapy* ; Gastrointestinal Microbiome ; Plant Extracts ; Ginkgo biloba

Farnesoid X receptor (FXR) is widely accepted as a promising target for various liver diseases; however, panels of ligands in drug development show limited clinical benefits, without a clear mechanism. Here, we reveal that acetylation initiates and orchestrates FXR nucleocytoplasmic shuttling and then enhances degradation by the cytosolic E3 ligase CHIP under conditions of liver injury, which represents the major culprit that limits the clinical benefits of FXR agonists against liver diseases. Upon inflammatory and apoptotic stimulation, enhanced FXR acetylation at K217, closed to the nuclear location signal, blocks its recognition by importin KPNA3, thereby preventing its nuclear import. Concomitantly, reduced phosphorylation at T442 within the nuclear export signals promotes its recognition by exportin CRM1, and thereby facilitating FXR export to the cytosol. Acetylation governs nucleocytoplasmic shuttling of FXR, resulting in enhanced cytosolic retention of FXR that is amenable to degradation by CHIP. SIRT1 activators reduce FXR acetylation and prevent its cytosolic degradation. More importantly, SIRT1 activators synergize with FXR agonists in combating acute and chronic liver injuries. In conclusion, these findings innovate a promising strategy to develop therapeutics against liver diseases by combining SIRT1 activators and FXR agonists.

Lipid homeostasis is considered to be related to intestinal metabolic balance, while its role in the pathogenesis and treatment of ulcerative colitis (UC) remains largely unexplored. The present study aimed to identify the target lipids related to the occurrence, development and treatment of UC by comparing the lipidomics of UC patients, mice and colonic organoids with the corresponding healthy controls. Here, multi-dimensional lipidomics based on LC-QTOF/MS, LC-MS/MS and iMScope systems were constructed and used to decipher the alteration of lipidomic profiles. The results indicated that UC patients and mice were often accompanied by dysregulation of lipid homeostasis, in which triglycerides and phosphatidylcholines were significantly reduced. Notably, phosphatidylcholine 34:1 (PC34:1) was characterized by high abundance and closely correlation with UC disease. Our results also revealed that down-regulation of PC synthase PCYT1α and Pemt caused by UC modeling was the main factor leading to the reduction of PC34:1, and exogenous PC34:1 could greatly enhance the fumarate level via inhibiting the transformation of glutamate to N-acetylglutamate, thus exerting an anti-UC effect. Collectively, our study not only supplies common technologies and strategies for exploring lipid metabolism in mammals, but also provides opportunities for the discovery of therapeutic agents and biomarkers of UC.