1.Active Components of Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma and Its Compound in Treatment of Nervous System Diseases: A Review
Weining SONG ; Shuxiang ZHANG ; Fang LU ; Zhize WANG ; Ruyang CHENG ; Shumin LIU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(2):303-313
Nervous system diseases, also known as neuropathies, encompass a wide range of conditions, primarily including Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), Huntington's disease, and other neurodegenerative disorders, as well as depression, subarachnoid hemorrhage, cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury, vascular dementia, and other neurological diseases. These diseases pose serious threats to the health and lives of patients, bringing heavy burdens to society and families. The pathogenesis of nervous system diseases is highly complex, involving mechanisms such as neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, apoptosis, endoplasmic reticulum stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, brain-derived neurotrophic factor deficiency, reduced cholinergic activity, axonal injury, and demyelination. In recent years, the incidence and mortality of nervous system diseases have been rising annually. Currently, western medicine primarily focuses on symptomatic treatment, often accompanied by many adverse reactions, including lethargy, excessive sedation, dizziness, headaches, tachycardia, liver function damage, metabolic disorders, and incomplete recovery after surgery. As a traditional Chinese medicine, Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma has effects such as promoting blood circulation, removing blood stasis, cooling the blood, clearing the heart, nourishing the blood, and calming the nerves. It can play a role in the treatment and protection against nervous system diseases through multiple targets, pathways, and mechanisms. Studies have found that the water-soluble phenolic acids and fat-soluble diterpenoid quinones in Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma are the main active ingredients for the treatment of nervous system diseases. This paper summarized the effects of the active components and compounds of Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma on nervous system diseases over the past ten years, aiming to provide a theoretical basis and research ideas for the development and application of active components and compounds of Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma in nervous system diseases.
2.Study on mechanism of Chanbao zhichuang suppository in treating hemorrhoids based on network pharmacology and metabolomics
Chunfeng GUO ; Xin JIANG ; Ruyang CHENG ; Shumin LIU ; Chunxiang XIE ; Fang LU
China Pharmacy 2025;36(13):1622-1628
OBJECTIVE To explore the mechanism of improvement effect of Chanbao zhichuang suppository (CBZCS) on hemorrhoids in rats through network pharmacology and metabolomics. METHODS A hemorrhoid model was established by subcutaneous injection of rhododendron oil to induce anal swelling. SD rats were divided into blank group (NC group, 0.32 g/kg vaseline), model group (Model group, 0.32 g/kg vaseline), CBZCS low-, medium-, and high-dose groups (CBZCS-L, CBZCS- M, CBZCS-H groups, with dosages of 0.16, 0.32, and 0.64 g/kg respectively), and Mayinglong musk hemorrhoids suppository group (Positive group, 0.32 g/kg), with 9 rats in each group. Anal administration was performed at 6, 12, 24, 48, and 72 hours after modeling. After the last administration, the pathological changes of the anal tissues in rats were observed, and the serum levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in rats were detected. Differential metabolite analysis and enrichment analysis were conducted by metabolomics methods, and the target proteins of CBZCS in treating hemorrhoids were obtained by network pharmacology. The core metabolic pathways were screened by interaction and enrichment analysis of differential metabolites and proteins, and the core proteins were experimentally verified. RESULTS Compared with the NC group, the anal tissues of the Model group showed obvious lesions, and the levels of IL-6 and TNF- α in the serum were significantly increased (P<0.05); compared with the Model group, the pathological damage of the anal tissues in the treatment groups was alleviated to varying degrees, and serum levels of IL-6 in CBZCS-H group, CBZCS-M group, and Positive group as well as serum levels of TNF-α in CBZCS-H group were significantly reduced (P<0.05). The metabolomics results showed that 34 differential metabolites were screened from the anal tissues of rats, and 22 of them showed a return after CBZCS administration. The differential metabolites mainly enriched in arachidonic acid metabolism, histidine metabolism, and glycerophospholipid metabolism. Through the network pharmacology, 138 intersection genes of CBZCS against hemorrhoids were determined. The analysis results showed that differential metabolites and target proteins were mainly enriched in the arachidonic acid metabolism pathway, and the regulation of this pathway might be related to cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), Myc proto-oncogene protein (c-MYC), cytochrome P450 1B1 (CYP1B1), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and IL-6 protein expression. The experimental verification results showed that the expression levels of key proteins (COX-2, c-MYC, CYP1B1, IL-6, IL-1β) in the anal tissues of the Model group were significantly higher than those in the NC group (P<0.05), and the levels of the above proteins in the anal tissues of CBZCS-H group and Positive group were significantly lower than those in the Model group (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS The mechanism of CBZCS in treating hemorrhoids may be to inhibit the expression of COX-2, c-MYC and CYP1B1 proteins, thereby inhibiting arachidonic acid metabolism and reducing the release of inflammatory factors IL-6 and IL-1β.
3.Neurotoxicity Mechanism of Dictamni Cortex Based on Network Toxicology and Metabolomics
Xiaomin XU ; Jiameixue WO ; Suxia JIA ; Wenkai HU ; Fang LU ; Shumin LIU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(20):31-39
ObjectiveThis study aims to explore the neurotoxicity mechanism of Dictamni Cortex by integrating network toxicology and metabolomics techniques. MethodsThe neurotoxicity targets induced by Dictamni Cortex were screened by the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform (TCMSP), Traditional Chinese Medicine Information Database (TCM-ID), and Comparative Toxicogenomics Database (CTD). The target predictions of the components were performed by the Swiss Target Prediction tool. Neurotoxicity-related targets were collected from the Pharmacophore Mapping and Potential Target Identification Platform (PharmMapper), GeneCards Human Gene Database (GeneCards), DisGeNET Disease Gene Network (DisGeNET), and Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man (OMIM), and the intersection targets were identified. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) analysis, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis, and Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment analysis were conducted. A "drug-compound-toxicity target-pathway" network was constructed via Cytoscape software to display the core regulatory network. Based on the prediction results, the neurotoxicity mechanism of Dictamni Cortex in mice was verified by using hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining, Nissl staining, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), quantitative real-time fluorescence polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR), and Western blot. The effects of Dictamni Cortex on the metabolic profile of mouse brain tissue were further explored by non-targeted metabolomics. ResultsNetwork toxicology screening identified 13 compounds and 175 targets in Dictamni Cortex that were related to neurotoxicity. PPI network analysis revealed that serine/threonine-protein kinase (Akt1) and tumor protein 53 (TP53) were the core targets. Additionally, GO/KEGG enrichment analysis indicated that Dictamni Cortex may regulate the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt pathway and affect oxidative stress and cell apoptosis, thereby inducing neural damage. The "Dictamni Cortex-compound-toxicity target-pathway-neural damage" network showed that dictamnine, phellodendrine, and fraxinellone may be the toxic compounds. Animal experiments showed that compared with those in the blank group, the hippocampal neurons in the brain tissue of mice treated with Dictamni Cortex were damaged. The level of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and acetylcholine (ACh) in the brain tissue was significantly reduced, while the content of malondialdehyde (MDA) was significantly increased. The level of Akt1 and p-Akt1 mRNAs and proteins in the brain tissue was significantly decreased, while the level of TP53 was significantly increased. Non-targeted metabolomics results showed that Dictamni Cortex could disrupt the level of 40 metabolites in mouse brain tissue, thereby regulating the homeostasis of 13 metabolism pathways, including phenylalanine, glycerophospholipid, and retinol. Combined analysis revealed that Akt1, p-Akt1, and TP53 were significantly correlated with phenylalanine, glycerophospholipid, and retinol metabolites. This suggested that Dictamni Cortex induced neurotoxicity in mice by regulating Akt1, p-Akt1, and TP53 and further modulating the phenylalanine, glycerophospholipid, and retinol metabolism pathways. ConclusionDictamni Cortex can induce neurotoxicity in mice, and its potential mechanism may be closely related to the activation of oxidative stress, inhibition of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway, and regulation of phenylalanine, glycerophospholipid, and retinol metabolism pathways.
4.Effect of Dictamni Cortex on Intestinal Barrier Damage by Untargeted Metabolomics and Targeted Metabolomics for Short-chain Fatty Acids
Xiaomin XU ; Donghua YU ; Yu WANG ; Pingping CHEN ; Jiameixue WO ; Suxia JIA ; Wenkai HU ; Fang LU ; Shumin LIU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(20):40-47
ObjectiveThis study aims to investigate the effect of Dictamni Cortex on intestinal barrier damage in rats and its mechanism by untargeted metabolomics and targeted metabolomics for short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs). MethodsRats were randomly divided into a control group, a high-dose group of Dictamni Cortex (8.1 g·kg-1), a medium-dose group (2.7 g·kg-1), and a low-dose group (0.9 g·kg-1). Except for the control group, the other groups were administered different doses of Dictamni Cortex by gavage for eight consecutive weeks. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was used to observe the pathological changes in the ileal tissue. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was employed to detect the level of cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and interleukin-1β (IL-1β), in the ileal tissue of rats. Quantitative real-time fluorescence polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) technology was used to detect the expression level of tight junction proteins, including zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1), Occludin, and Claudin-1 mRNAs, in the ileal tissue of rats to preliminarily explore the effects of Dictamni Cortex on intestinal damage. The dose with the most significant toxic phenotype was selected to further reveal the effects of Dictamni Cortex on the metabolic profile of ileal tissue in rats by non-targeted metabolomics combined with targeted metabolomics for SCFAs. ResultsCompared with the control group, all doses of Dictamni Cortex induced varying degrees of pathological damage in the ileum, increased TNF-α (P<0.01), IL-6 (P<0.01), and IL-1β (P<0.01) levels in the ileal tissue, and decreased the expression level of ZO-1 (P<0.05, P<0.01), Occludin (P<0.01), and Claudin-1 (P<0.05) in the ileal tissue, with the high-dose group showing the most significant toxic phenotypes. The damage mechanisms of the high-dose group of Dictamni Cortex on the ileal tissue were further explored by integrating non-targeted metabolomics and targeted metabolomics for SCFAs. The non-targeted metabolomics results showed that 21 differential metabolites were identified in the control group and the high-dose group. Compared with that in the control group, after Dictamni Cortex intervention, the level of 14 metabolites was significantly increased (P<0.05, P<0.01), and the level of seven metabolites was significantly decreased (P<0.05, P<0.01) in the ileal contents. These metabolites collectively acted on 10 related metabolic pathways, including glycerophospholipids and primary bile acid biosynthesis. The quantitative data of targeted metabolomics for SCFAs showed that Dictamni Cortex intervention disrupted the level of propionic acid, butyric acid, acetic acid, caproic acid, isobutyric acid, isovaleric acid, valeric acid, and isocaproic acid in the ileal contents of rats. Compared with those in the control group, the level of isobutyric acid, isovaleric acid, and valeric acid were significantly increased, while the level of propionic acid, butyric acid, and acetic acid were significantly decreased in the ileal contents of rats after Dictamni Cortex intervention (P<0.05, P<0.01). ConclusionDictamni Cortex can induce intestinal damage by regulating glycerophospholipid metabolism, primary bile acid biosynthesis, and metabolic pathways for SCFAs.
5.Mechanism of Pharmacological Liver and Kidney Injuries of Dictamni Cortex Based on UPLC-Q-TOF-MS
Jiahe YAN ; Sujie LIU ; Xiaofan WANG ; Chen WANG ; Jiaxin RUAN ; Fang LU ; Shumin LIU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(20):48-56
ObjectiveThis study aims to reveal the mechanism of liver and kidney injuries caused by Dictamni Cortex and its interrelationship by metabonomics analysis of liver and kidney via ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF-MS). MethodsThe content of the marker compounds of Dictamni Cortex was measured by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) to carry out quality control. Sprague Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into a blank group (normal saline), an administration group (0.9, 2.7, 8.1 g·kg-1), and a high-dose withdrawal control group, with eight rats in each group. Continuous administration was performed once daily for 28 days. The liver and kidney injuries caused by each administration group were assessed by organ indices, pathological observations, and serum and plasma biochemical indices measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The potential biomarkers of liver and kidney injuries caused by Dictamni Cortex were screened, and pathway enrichment analysis and correlation analysis were performed based on UPLC-Q-TOF-MS. ResultsCompared with the blank group, both the medium- and low-dose groups showed insignificant damage to the liver and kidney of rats. The high-dose group exhibited the most serious damage, and the level of liver and kidney function indices [alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), creatinine (Cr), and blood urea nitrogen (BUN)] and serum inflammatory indices ([interleukin 1β (IL-1β), IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)] in the serum were significantly changed (P<0.01). The liver and kidney metabolism pathways and differential metabolites were quite different. Among them, phenylalanine metabolism, niacin and nicotinamide metabolism, and glycerophospholipid metabolism were common pathways. Correlation analysis of differential metabolites showed that there were significant correlations among disorders of 4′-Phosphopantothenoylcysteine, PC (16∶0/15∶0), phenylethylamine, arachidonic acid, and linoleic acid in liver and kidney tissue. ConclusionThe decoction of Dictamni Cortex can cause liver and kidney injuries, and its mechanism may be related to oxidative stress and lipid metabolism disorders. The correlation of differential metabolites indicates the interaction between liver and kidney injuries.
6.Metabolomics Reveals Immune System Domage of Dictamnine
Xiaocan GAI ; Jiaxin RUAN ; Sujie LIU ; Chen WANG ; Xiaofan WANG ; Jiahe YAN ; Yu WANG ; Fang LU ; Shumin LIU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(20):57-65
ObjectiveTo explore the mechanism of the immunotoxicity induced by dictamnine (DIC) in rats and the recovery effect after drug withdrawal by ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometry, thereby providing a theoretical basis for elucidating the toxic mechanism of DIC. MethodsSD rats were randomized into blank (normal saline), DIC (10 mg·kg-1), and DIC withdrawal (recovery period) groups (n=8). The rats were continuously treated for 7 days, once a day, and the body weight and organ weight were recorded. The levels of interleukin-1 (IL-1), IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in the serum and immunoglobulin A (IgA), immunoglobulin G (IgG), and immunoglobulin M (IgM) in the spleen were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Hematoxylin-eosin staining was used to observe the pathological changes in the spleen. ultra performance liquid chromatography quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF-MS) was employed to screen the potential biomarkers of immune inflammation caused by DIC, and pathway enrichment analysis and correlation analysis were performed. The mRNA levels of IL-1β, TNF-α, lysophosphatidylcholine acyltransferase 2 (LPCAT2), and farnesoid X receptor (FXR) in the serum were determined by Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR). ResultsCompared with the blank group, the DIC group showed elevated levels of IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α in the serum (P<0.01), and the DIC withdrawal group showcased lowered levels of IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α in the serum (P<0.01). The levels of IgA, IgG, and IgM in the spleen of rats in the DIC group were decreased (P<0.01), while those in the DIC withdrawal group were recovered (P<0.05, P<0.01). Untargeted metabolomics of the serum and spleen screened out 14 common differential metabolites and 14 common metabolic pathways. The Spearman correlation analysis between differential metabolites and inflammatory factors identified PC (32∶0), LysoPC (20∶4/0∶0), LysoPC (P-18∶0/0∶0), taurochenodeoxycholic acid, taurocholic acid, LysoPC [20∶5(5Z,8Z,11Z,14Z,17Z)/0∶0], chenodeoxycholic acid, arachidonic acid, LysoPC (18∶0/0∶0), LysoPC (15∶0/0∶0), LysoPC (16∶0/0∶0), and LysoPC (17∶0/0∶0) as the biomarkers of immunotoxicity induced by DIC in SD rats. In the process of immunotoxicity caused by DIC, lipid metabolism disorders such as glycerophospholipid metabolism, primary bile acid metabolism, and arachidonic acid metabolism were enriched, which was consistent with the DIC-induced inflammatory factors and pathological characteristics of the spleen. Compared with the blank group, the DIC group exhibited up-regulated mRNA levels of IL-1β, TNF-α, LPCAT2, and FXR (P<0.01), and the up-regulation was decreased in the withdrawal group (P<0.01). ConclusionDIC can lead to immune and inflammatory disorders. DIC withdrawal can regulate the expression of biomarkers related to serum and spleen metabolites, regulate the inflammatory metabolic pathway, reduce the inflammation level, and alleviate the metabolic disorders, thus attenuating the potential toxicity induced by DIC.
7.Underlying Mechanism of Wuwei Shenqintang in Amelioration of Pulmonary Fibrosis by Regulating "Lung-intestine Axis" Based on UPLC-Q-TOF-MS Metabolomics Technology
Mengdi SUN ; Fang LU ; Donghua YU ; Yu WANG ; Pingping CHEN ; Shumin LIU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(21):11-20
ObjectiveTo explore the mechanism of action of Wuwei Shenqintang in improving pulmonary fibrosis by using ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF-MS) for metabolomic analysis of lung tissue and feces. MethodsA rat model with pulmonary fibrosis was established by intratracheal injection of 5 mg·kg-1 bleomycin. The successfully modeled rats were randomly divided into a blank group, a model group, a prednisone (3.15 mg·kg-1) group, and low-dose, medium-dose, and high-dose groups of Wuwei Shenqintang (4.586, 9.172, 18.344 g·kg-1). The rats were given intragastric administration once a day for 28 consecutive days. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was used to measure the pathological changes in lung and colon tissue, and Masson staining was used to detect the degree of pulmonary fibrosis. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect the expression of interleukin-1β (IL-1β), IL-6, IL-8, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and secretory immunoglobulin A (SIgA) in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and intestinal mucus. Immunohistochemistry and reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) were used to detect the expression of type Ⅰ collagen (Col-Ⅰ), fibronectin (FN), and alpha smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) in lung tissue. UPLC-Q-TOF-MS was used to study the changes in the metabolic network of lung tissue and feces in rats with pulmonary fibrosis treated with Wuwei Shenqintang, screen potential biomarkers for the treatment of pulmonary fibrosis by Wuwei Shenqintang, and perform pathway enrichment analysis. ResultsCompared with the blank group, the model group showed extensive inflammatory cell infiltration and continuous fibrotic lesions in lung tissue, colonic mucosal damage, and connective tissue hyperplasia. The expression of IL-6, IL-8, IL-1β, TNF-α, and SIgA in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and intestinal mucus was significantly increased (P<0.01). The expression of Col-Ⅰ, FN, and α-SMA proteins and mRNAs in lung tissue was significantly upregulated (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the groups of Wuwei Shenqintang exhibited significantly reduced inflammatory infiltration and blue collagen deposition in lung tissue, alleviated colonic damage, decreased expression of IL-6, IL-8, IL-1β, TNF-α, and SIgA in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and intestinal mucus (P<0.01), and reduced average absorbance values and mRNA expression of Col-Ⅰ, FN, and α-SMA in lung tissue (P<0.05, P<0.01), with the prednisone group and the medium-dose and high-dose groups of Wuwei Shenqintang showing the most significant effects. The metabolomics results for lung tissue showed that compared with the blank group, the model group had 19 significantly different compounds (P<0.05, P<0.01). Wuwei Shenqintang could normalize 17 of these compounds compared with the model group (P<0.05, P<0.01). Fecal metabolomics results showed that compared with those in the blank group, there were 42 compounds with significant differences in the model group (P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with the model control group, Wuwei Shenqintang could normalize 41 of these compounds (P<0.05, P<0.01). The combined analysis results indicated that Wuwei Shenqintang might inhibit pulmonary fibrosis by regulating the biosynthesis of phenylalanine, tyrosine, and tryptophan as well as the retinol metabolism pathway. ConclusionWuwei Shenqintang can ameliorate pulmonary fibrosis, which may be related to the regulation of the "lung-intestine axis".
8.Underlying Mechanism of Wuwei Shenqintang in Amelioration of Pulmonary Fibrosis by Regulating "Lung-intestine Axis" Based on UPLC-Q-TOF-MS Metabolomics Technology
Mengdi SUN ; Fang LU ; Donghua YU ; Yu WANG ; Pingping CHEN ; Shumin LIU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(21):11-20
ObjectiveTo explore the mechanism of action of Wuwei Shenqintang in improving pulmonary fibrosis by using ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF-MS) for metabolomic analysis of lung tissue and feces. MethodsA rat model with pulmonary fibrosis was established by intratracheal injection of 5 mg·kg-1 bleomycin. The successfully modeled rats were randomly divided into a blank group, a model group, a prednisone (3.15 mg·kg-1) group, and low-dose, medium-dose, and high-dose groups of Wuwei Shenqintang (4.586, 9.172, 18.344 g·kg-1). The rats were given intragastric administration once a day for 28 consecutive days. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was used to measure the pathological changes in lung and colon tissue, and Masson staining was used to detect the degree of pulmonary fibrosis. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect the expression of interleukin-1β (IL-1β), IL-6, IL-8, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and secretory immunoglobulin A (SIgA) in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and intestinal mucus. Immunohistochemistry and reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) were used to detect the expression of type Ⅰ collagen (Col-Ⅰ), fibronectin (FN), and alpha smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) in lung tissue. UPLC-Q-TOF-MS was used to study the changes in the metabolic network of lung tissue and feces in rats with pulmonary fibrosis treated with Wuwei Shenqintang, screen potential biomarkers for the treatment of pulmonary fibrosis by Wuwei Shenqintang, and perform pathway enrichment analysis. ResultsCompared with the blank group, the model group showed extensive inflammatory cell infiltration and continuous fibrotic lesions in lung tissue, colonic mucosal damage, and connective tissue hyperplasia. The expression of IL-6, IL-8, IL-1β, TNF-α, and SIgA in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and intestinal mucus was significantly increased (P<0.01). The expression of Col-Ⅰ, FN, and α-SMA proteins and mRNAs in lung tissue was significantly upregulated (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the groups of Wuwei Shenqintang exhibited significantly reduced inflammatory infiltration and blue collagen deposition in lung tissue, alleviated colonic damage, decreased expression of IL-6, IL-8, IL-1β, TNF-α, and SIgA in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and intestinal mucus (P<0.01), and reduced average absorbance values and mRNA expression of Col-Ⅰ, FN, and α-SMA in lung tissue (P<0.05, P<0.01), with the prednisone group and the medium-dose and high-dose groups of Wuwei Shenqintang showing the most significant effects. The metabolomics results for lung tissue showed that compared with the blank group, the model group had 19 significantly different compounds (P<0.05, P<0.01). Wuwei Shenqintang could normalize 17 of these compounds compared with the model group (P<0.05, P<0.01). Fecal metabolomics results showed that compared with those in the blank group, there were 42 compounds with significant differences in the model group (P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with the model control group, Wuwei Shenqintang could normalize 41 of these compounds (P<0.05, P<0.01). The combined analysis results indicated that Wuwei Shenqintang might inhibit pulmonary fibrosis by regulating the biosynthesis of phenylalanine, tyrosine, and tryptophan as well as the retinol metabolism pathway. ConclusionWuwei Shenqintang can ameliorate pulmonary fibrosis, which may be related to the regulation of the "lung-intestine axis".
9.DIA Proteomics Reveals Mechanism of Acanthopanacis Senticosi Radix et Rhizoma seu Caulis Extract in Treating α-Syn Transgenic Parkinson's Disease in Mice
Qi ZHENG ; Yi LU ; Donghua YU ; Liangyou ZHAO ; Chunsheng LIN ; Fang LU ; Shumin LIU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(8):40-50
ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanism of Acanthopanacis Senticosi Radix et Rhizoma seu Caulis extract (ASH) in treating Parkinson's disease (PD) in mice by Data-Independent Acquisition (DIA) proteomics. MethodsThe α-Synuclein (α-Syn) transgenic PD mice were selected as suitable models for PD, and they were randomly assigned into PD, ASH (61.25 mg·kg-1), and Madopar (97.5 mg·kg-1) groups. Male C57BL/6 mice of the same age were selected as the control group, with eight mice in each group. Mice were administrated with corresponding drugs by gavage once a day for 20 days. The pole climbing time and the number of autonomic activities were recorded to evaluate the exercise ability of mice. Hematoxylin-eosin staining was employed to observe neuronal changes in the substantia nigra of PD mice. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was employed to measure the tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) activity in the substantia nigra and assess the areal density of α-Syn in the striatum. DIA proteomics was used to compare protein expression in the substantia nigra between groups. IHC was utilized to validate key differentially expressed proteins, including Lactotransferrin, Notch2, Ndrg2, and TMEM 166. The cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) method was used to investigate the effect of ASH on the viability of PD cells with overexpression of α-Syn. Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) and Western blot were employed to determine the protein and mRNA levels of Lactotransferrin, Notch2, Ndrg2, and TMEM 166 in PD cells. ResultsCompared with the control group, the model group showed prolonged pole climbing time, diminished coordination ability, reduced autonomic activities (P<0.01), and reduced swelling neurons. Compared with the model group, ASH and Madopar reduced the climbing time, increased autonomic activities (P<0.01), and ameliorated neuronal damage. Compared with the control group, the model group showed a decrease in TH activity in the substantia nigra and an increase in α-Syn accumulation in the striatum (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the ASH group showed an increase in TH activity and a reduction in α-Syn accumulation (P<0.05). DIA proteomics revealed a total of 464 differentially expressed proteins in the model group compared with the control group, with 323 proteins being up-regulated and 141 down-regulated. A total of 262 differentially expressed proteins were screened in the ASH group compared with the model group, including 85 proteins being up-regulated and 177 down-regulated. Kyoto encylopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis indicated that ASH primarily regulated the Notch signaling pathway. The model group showed up-regulation in protein levels of Notch2, Ndrg2, and TMEM 166 and down-regulation in the protein level of Lactotransferrin compared with the control group (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, ASH down-regulated the protein levels of Notch2, Ndrg2, and TMEM 166 (P<0.05) while up-regulating the protein level of Lactotransferrin (P<0.01). The IHC results corroborated the proteomics findings. The cell experiment results showed that compared with the control group, the modeling up-regulated the mRNA and protein levels of Notch2, Ndrg2, and TMEM 166 (P<0.01), while down-regulating the mRNA and protein levels of Lactotransferrin (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, ASH reduced the mRNA and protein levels of Notch2, Ndrg2, and TMEM 166 (P<0.01), while increasing the mRNA and protein levels of Lactotransferrin (P<0.05, P<0.01). ConclusionASH may Synergistically inhibit the Notch signaling pathway and mitigate neuronal damage by down-regulating the expression of Notch2 and Ndrg2. Additionally, by up-regulating the expression of Lactotransferrin and down-regulating the expression of TMEM166, ASH can address brain iron accumulation, intervene in ferroptosis, inhibit mitophagy, and mitigate reactive oxygen species damage, thereby protecting nerve cells and contributing to the treatment of PD.
10.The mechanism of effective traditional Chinese medicine components and prescriptions in treatment of chronic pancreatitis by intervening against pancreatic stellate cells
Ruyang CHENG ; Weining SONG ; Xin JIANG ; Yehao WANG ; Lin LIU ; Fang LU ; Shumin LIU
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2025;41(4):793-800
Chronic pancreatitis (CP) is a chronic disease characterized by recurrent inflammation and progressive damage to pancreatic tissue, and its deterioration may increase the risk of pancreatic cancer in patients with CP, which seriously threatens the health of patients with CP. In recent years, studies on the pathogenesis of CP have mostly focused on the activation of pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs) and its role in pancreatic fibrosis. This article elaborates on the mechanism of action of PSCs in CP, summarizes the current status of research on effective traditional Chinese medicine components and prescriptions for intervention of PSCs in the treatment of chronic CP, and proposes the future research directions for effective traditional Chinese medicine components and prescriptions, so as to provide a reference for the clinical treatment of CP patients in the future.

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