JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY
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2017
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IF 2.981
Lei La,Lili Wang,Fei Qin,Jian Jiang,Songqi He,Chunxia Wang,Yuhao Li
Ethnopharmacological relevance Zhen-wu-tang ( ZWT ), composed of Radix Aconiti lateralis , Rhizoma Atractylodis macrocephalae , Poria , Radix Paeoniae alba and ginger, is a classic Chinese herbal formula for the treatment of chronic kidney diseases that may cause chronic renal failure (CRF). Aim of the study To better understand its clinical use, this study investigated the effects and underlying mechanisms of action of ZWT on CRF. Materials and methods CRF was induced by adenine . ZWT was given via an oral gavage method. The serum biochemical parameters were measured enzymatically or by ELISA . The kidneys were examined pathohistologically. The gene expression was analyzed by real time PCR and Western blot . Results Similar to the positive control losartan , ZWT extract inhibited adenine-induced increase in serum concentrations of creatinine, BUN and advanced oxidation protein products in rats. These effects were accompanied by attenuation of proteinuria and renal pathological changes and suppression of renal mRNA and protein overexpression of Collagen IV and fibronectin , two of the key components of fibrosis . Mechanistically, renal mRNA and protein expression of Wnt4, a Wnt signaling ligand, was increased in the adenine-treated group, compared to the vehicle-treated control. Consistently, Wnt4 downstream genes beta-catenin and Axin were also overexpressed. Treatment with ZWT extract and losartan suppressed adenine-stimulated overexpression of these mRNAs and proteins. Conclusions The present results demonstrate that ZWT extract ameliorates adenine-induced CRF in rats by regulation of the canonical Wnt4/beta-catenin signaling in the kidneys. Our findings provide new insight into the underlying renoprotective mechanisms of the ancient formula.
研究领域:
药理学
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肾病学
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民族药理学
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分子生物学
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产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
PHYTOMEDICINE
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2024
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IF 6.7
Heung Lam MOK,Ka Wing CHENG,Yiqi XU,Chunhua HUANG,Cheng LYU,Jiaruo XU,Die HU,Lin ZHU,Chengyuan LIN,Hor-Yue TAN,Zhaoxiang BIAN
Background Ulcerative colitis (UC) is associated with intestinal macrophage infiltration due to disruption of the mucosal barrier and bacterial invasion. Therefore, it is crucial to identify therapeutic agents capable of attenuating the macrophage-induced inflammatory response to preserve mucosal homeostasis and immune tolerance. The modified Zhenwu decoction (CDD-2103) is a novel herbal formulation developed based on the principles of Traditional Chinese medicine. To date, there are no clinically approved herbal formulations for UC with a well-known mechanism of action on macrophages. Purpose The objective of this study was to systematically investigate the inhibitory effect of the active fraction of CDD-2103 in a mouse model of chronic colitis and delineate the mechanisms underlying its inhibitory action. Methods CDD-2103 was extracted into four fractions using organic solvents with increasing polarity. A chronic 49-day dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis mice model, closely resembling human clinical conditions, was used to examine the effect of CDD-2103 on chronic colitis. To confirm the effect of CDD-2103 on macrophages in this chronic colitis model, adoptive macrophage transfer and CCL2 supplementation were conducted. The mechanisms of action of CDD-2103 were further elucidated utilizing bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs). Transcriptome analysis was conducted to gain insights into the underlying mechanism of action of CDD-2103 in BMDMs. Results Our in vitro and in vivo findings demonstrated that the ethanol-enriched fraction of CDD-2103 exhibited significant anti-inflammatory effects, leading to the suppression of colitis severity. This effect was associated with diminished accumulation of colonic macrophages in the lamina propria of CDD-2103-intervened colitis mice. Specifically, CDD-2103 inhibited CCR2/L2-mediated proinflammatory macrophage infiltration into the colon without affecting macrophage proliferation. Mechanistically, CDD-2103 inhibited Fyn expression-mediated p38 MAPK activation and subsequently suppressed CCR2 expression in BMDMs. Conclusions Collectively, our study supports the potential use of CDD-2103 to limit macrophage infiltration, thereby reducing inflammation during UC treatment. CDD-2103 and the components in the ethanolic fraction are promising candidates for the development of novel drugs for UC management. Additionally, our study underscores Fyn-mediated CCR2 expression as a potential therapeutic target for the management of UC.
研究领域:
药理学
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免疫学
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中医药
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炎症性肠病
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分子生物学
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产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY
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2022
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IF 5.195
Liqian Chen,Xinghong Zhou,Yijian Deng,Ying Yang,Xiaohu Chen,Qinghong Chen,Yanyan Liu,Xiuqiong Fu,Hiu Yee Kwan,Yanting You,Wen Jin,Xiaoshan Zhao
Ethnopharmacological relevance Zhenwu Decoction (ZWD) is a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formula which has wide scope of indications related to Yang deficiency and dampness retention in TCM syndrome. Cardiac hypertrophy can induce similar symptoms and signs to the clinical features of Yang deficiency and dampness retention syndrome. ZWD can increase the left ventricular ejection fraction, reduce cardiac hypertrophy of patients with chronic heart failure. However, its underlying pharmacological mechanism remains unclear. Aim of the study The study aimed to confirm the protective effects of ZWD on cardiac hypertrophy and explore the underlying mechanisms. Materials and methods The potential targets and pathways of ZWD in cardiac hypertrophy were highlighted by network pharmacology and validated by mechanistic and functional studies. Results Our network pharmacology analysis suggests that the protective effects of ZWD on cardiac hypertrophy are related to cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) - protein kinase G (PKG) pathway. Subsequent animal studies showed that ZWD significantly ameliorated cardiac function decline, cardiac hypertrophy, cardiac fibrosis and cardiomyocyte apoptosis. To explore the underlying mechanisms of action, we performed Western blotting, immunohistochemical analysis, and detection of inflammatory response and oxidative stress. Our results showed that ZWD activated the soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) - cGMP - PKG signaling pathway. The sGC inhibitor ODQ that blocks the sGC-cGMP-PKG signaling pathway in zebrafish abolished the protective effects of ZWD, suggesting sGC-cGMP-PKG is the main signaling pathway mediates the protective effect of ZWD in cardiac hypertrophy. In addition, three major ingredients from ZWD, poricoic acid C, hederagenin and dehydrotumulosic acid, showed a high binding energy with prototype sGC. Conclusion ZWD reduces oxidative stress and inflammation and exerts cardioprotective effects by activating the sGC-cGMP-PKG signaling pathway.
研究领域:
药理学
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心脏病学
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中医药
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网络药理学
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产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
PHYTOMEDICINE
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2023
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IF 7.9
Zhihao Liu,Qixiang Shang,Haimeng Li,Daozheng Fang,Zhuohuan Li,Yuqi Huang,Mimi Zhang,Kam Ming Ko,Jihang Chen
Background Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is one of the major chronic microvascular complications of diabetes and the main cause of end-stage renal failure. Zhenwu Decoction (ZWD), an ancient classic herbal formula in Chinese medicine, has been clinically used for the treatment of kidney disease in China for many years. However, there is currently limited research investigating the application of ZWD in the treatment of DKD and the underlying chemical and biochemical mechanisms involved. Therefore, in the present study, we aimed to identify active components in ZWD and unravel the possible mechanism(s) of action for ZWD in treating DKD. Methods The protective effect of ZWD against DKD was evaluated utilizing an in vitro model of diabetic renal proximal tubulopathy. The major chemical components from ZWD were identified by LC-MS/MS. Drug targets were predicted by submitting the SMILES (Simplified Molecular Input Line Entry System) of the compounds to SEA (Similarity Ensemble Approach) search server and SwissTargetPrediction. The differentially expressed genes (DEGs) of the disease were collected and integrated from GeneCards. The constructions of “Compounds-potential targets interaction” (CTI) network and Protein-Protein Interaction (PPI) network, as well as topology analysis were conducted by Cytoscape. Gene Ontology (GO)-enrichment and Metacore pathway enrichment analysis were also performed. Lastly, molecular docking and experimental studies were adopted to validate the core target and identify an active component(s) of ZWD. Results We demonstrated that the ZWD extract could significantly rescue the palmitic acid (PA) and high glucose-induced apoptotic cell death in HK-2 cells, and the cytoprotection was accompanied by decreases in the extent of reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, mitochondrial membrane depolarization and ATP depletion. Fifty-seven compounds in the aqueous extract of ZWD were identified by LC-MS. The results of PPI analysis showed that top hub genes involved epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 3 (STAT3), Serine/Threonine Kinase 1 (AKT1), Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A (VEGFA) and Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 (FGF2). Pathway enrichment analysis revealed the involvement of S1P1 receptor signaling and EGFR pathways. The results of molecular docking analysis showed that albiflorin has a high binding affinity to EGFR. Albiflorin could also exert protective effects in an HK-2 cell model of DKD, which may be related to the inhibition of the high glucose/high lipid-induced EGFR and Akt phosphorylation. Conclusion ZWD has been shown to be effective in ameliorating cell death in an experimental model of DKD. The beneficial effect of ZWD against DKD was associated with the interactions between the active ingredients and the hub genes, such as EGFR, STAT3, AKT1, and VEGF-A. Albiflorin may be one of the active components responsible for the nephroprotective effect in ZWD.
研究领域:
药理学
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分子生物学
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中医
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糖尿病
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肾病学
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生物信息学
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细胞生物学
✓ 已验证
产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
危险品化学品经营许可证（带存储）