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ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of Gegen Qinliantang on glucose and lipid metabolism in the rat model of catch-up growth （CUG） induced by a high-fat diet and the underlying mechanism. MethodA total of 60 SD rats were randomized into a normal control group （n=18） and a modeling group （n=42）. The rat model of CUG was established with a restricted diet followed by a high-fat diet， and the changes of general status and body weight were observed. The levels of fasting blood glucose （FBG）， fasting insulin （FINS）， triglyceride （TG）， and total cholesterol （TC） were measured in 6 rats in each group at the end of the 4th and 8th week， respectively. The homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance index （HOMA-IR） was calculated， and the insulin sensitivity and body composition changes of CUG rats were evaluated. The successfully modeled rats were assigned into 6 groups： normal control， model， high-， medium-， and low-dose Gegen Qinliantang （2.5， 5， 10 g·kg-1）， and pioglitazone （3.125 mg·kg-1）. The rats were administrated with corresponding drugs by gavage for 6 weeks， and the normal control group and model group were administrated with the same amount of normal saline. During the experiment period， the changes of body weight were recorded， and the FBG， FINS， HOMA-IR， TG， and TC were determined at the end of the experiment. Hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining was employed to observe the pathological changes of skeletal muscle in rats. The levels of reactive oxygen species （ROS） and malondialdehyde （MDA） in the skeletal muscle were measured strictly according to the manuals of the reagent kits. Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） was performed to measure the mRNA levels of silencing information regulator 1 （SIRT1）， peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma coactivator1α （PGC1α）， and nuclear respiratory factor 1 （Nrf1） in the skeletal muscle. Western blot and immunohistochemistry were employed to assess the expression of SIRT1， PGC1α， and Nrf1 in the skeletal muscle. ResultCompared with the normal control group， the model group presented elevated levels of FBG， FINS， TG， and TC （P<0.05， P<0.01）， increased HOMA-IR （P<0.01）， increased diameter of muscle fibers and adipocytes between muscle cells in the skeletal muscle， rising levels of ROS and MDA in the skeletal muscle （P<0.01）， and down-regulated mRNA and protein levels of SIRT1， PGC1α， and Nrf1 （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， Gegen Qinliantang （especially the medium and high doses） and pioglitazone decreased the body weight， FINS， HOMA-IR， and TG （P<0.05， P<0.01） and reduced interstitial components such as intermuscular fat in the skeletal muscles and the diameter of muscle fibers. Furthermore， the drugs lowerd the levels of ROS and MDA （P<0.05， P<0.01） and up-regulated the mRNA and protein levels of SIRT1， PGC1α， and Nrf1 （P<0.05， P<0.01） in the skeletal muscle. ConclusionGegen Qinliantang can ameliorate the glucose and lipid metabolism disorders and insulin resistance in CUG rats by regulating the SIRT1/PGC1α/Nrf1 signaling pathway.
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ObjectiveTo validate the alleviating effect of Gegen Qinliantang （GGQLT） on insulin resistance in db/db diabetic mice by regulating the silent information regulator 1 （SIRT1）/forkhead transcription factor O1 （FoxO1） autophagy pathway. MethodSeventy-five SPF-grade spontaneous type 2 diabetic db/db mice and 15 control db/m mice were selected and maintained on regular feed for one week before measuring blood glucose. They were randomly divided into six groups， with 15 mice in each group. The groups included a normal group （physiological saline， 0.2 g·kg-1）， a metformin group （0.2 g·kg-1）， high-， medium-， and low-dose GGQLT groups （31.9， 19.1， 6.9 g·kg-1）， and a model group （physiological saline， 0.2 g·kg-1）. They were orally treated with corresponding drugs for eight weeks， once daily. Fasting blood glucose （FBG） was measured using a Roche glucometer. Serum levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol （HDL-C）， low-density lipoprotein cholesterol （LDL-C）， triglyceride （TG）， and total cholesterol （TC） were measured using an automated biochemical analyzer. Fasting serum insulin （INS） levels were determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）， and the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance （HOMA-IR） was calculated. Western blot was used to detect the expression of Beclin-1， microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 （LC3）， and SIRT1/FoxO1 autophagy pathway-related proteins in liver tissues. Immunohistochemistry was performed to assess the expression of SIRT1， FoxO1， Beclin-1， and LC3B proteins in liver tissues. Transmission electron microscopy was used to observe the formation of autophagosomes in the liver. ResultCompared with the normal group， the model group showed significant increases in FBG， FINS， HOMA-IR， TC， TG， LDL-C， and HDL-C levels （P<0.01）， and significant increases in the expression of SIRT1， Beclin-1， LC3， and FoxO1 proteins in liver tissues （P<0.01）. Transmission electron microscopy revealed the highest number of autophagosomes in the model group. Compared with the model group， the metformin group and the low-， medium-， and high-dose GGQLT groups showed significant decreases in serum FBG， FINS， HOMA-IR， TC， TG， LDL-C， and HDL-C levels （P<0.05， P<0.01）， significant decreases in the expression of SIRT1， Beclin-1， LC3 （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and up-regulated FoxO1 protein （P<0.01）. Transmission electron microscopy showed a reduction in the degree of autophagy in the treatment groups. Compared with the metformin group， the medium- and high-dose GGQLT groups showed significant decreases in FBG， FINS， and TG levels （P<0.01）， significant decreases in the expression of SIRT1， Beclin-1， and LC3 in liver tissues （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and reduced FoxO1 protein （P<0.01）. The high-dose GGQLT group showed reduced HOMA-IR， TC， LDL-C， and HDL-C levels （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Transmission electron microscopy revealed a significant reduction in autophagosomes in the medium- and high-dose GGQLT groups. ConclusionGGQLT can significantly improve glucose and lipid metabolism disorders， alleviate insulin resistance in db/db mice， and prevent and treat type 2 diabetes by activating the SIRT1/FoxO1 autophagy pathway.
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Gegen Qinliantang composed of Puerariae Lobatae Radix， Scutellariae Radix， Coptidis Rhizoma， and Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma exhibits exterior-releasing and interior-clearing effects and can treat diarrhea caused by fever invasion. Therefore， it is highly praised by physicians for treating damp-heat dysentery. This article systematically reviews the clinical applications and basic research advances of Gegen Qinliantang in treating ulcerative colitis. Modern clinical research has demonstrated that modified Gegen Qinliantang has also been used to treat ulcerative colitis， and it is often used in combination with Western drugs （mesalazine， olsalazine， sulfasalazine， etc.）， other Chinese medicine prescriptions （Tongxie Yaofang， Baitouweng Tang， Shaoyaotang， Xianglianwan， etc.）， and acupuncture. Such therapties can significantly alleviate symptoms， such as abdominal pain， diarrhea， and mucopurulent bloody stools， lower traditional Chinese medicine symptom scores and Baron score， improve the quality of life and sleep， reduce adverse reactions， and decrease the relapse rate within one year. Pharmacological studies have demonstrated that Gegen Qinliantang can inhibit the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines， such as tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α） and interleukin-6 （IL-6）， and enhance the release of the anti-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-10 （IL-10） to alleviate intestinal inflammation. Additionally， it can modulate cellular signaling pathways and interfere with upstream and downstream connections in the pathways to inhibit oxidative stress response and prevent cell apoptosis. By regulating the balance of T-helper 17 （Th17） and regulatory T （Treg） cells and controlling the normal expression of immunoglobulins， Gegen Qinliantang can restore immune function. Moreover， this prescription can enrich the beneficial microorganisms in the intestine and stimulate intestinal epithelial cell regeneration to protect and repair the intestinal mucosal barrier. The active components in Gegen Qinliantang， such as puerarin， berberine， baicalin， and glycyrrhizin， can exert antibacterial， anti-inflammatory， and metabolic regulatory effects. This review provides a basis for treating ulcerative colitis with Gegen Qinliantang.
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ObjectiveTo observe the effect of modified Gegen Qinliantang on the expression levels of proteins related to the farnesoid X receptor/small heterodimer partner/peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α （FXR/SHP/PPARα） signaling pathway in the liver tissue of db/db model mice with type 2 diabetes mellitus （T2DM） and explore the underlying mechanism of action of modified Gegen Qinliantang. MethodThirty db/db mice were randomly divided into model group， metformin group （0.2 g·kg-1）， and high-， medium-， and low-dose modified Gegen Qinliantang groups （31.9， 19.1， 6.4 g·kg-1）， with 6 mice in each group. An additional six m/m mice were assigned to the blank group. Respective drugs were administered via oral gavage for 12 weeks. Mouse body weight， fasting blood glucose （FBG）， total cholesterol （TC）， triglyceride （TG）， high-density lipoprotein cholesterol （HDL-C）， and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol （LDL-C） levels were measured. Oil red O staining was used to observe hepatic lipid accumulation and periodic acid-schiff （PAS） staining was used to assess hepatic glycogen deposition. Ammonium ferric sulfate staining was used to observe cholesterol deposition in intestinal tissues. Western blot was employed to detect the expression of FXR， cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase （CYP7A1）， SHP， and PPARα proteins in liver tissues， and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） was used to measure serum free fatty acid （FFA） levels. ResultAt the end of the treatment， compared with the blank group， the model group exhibited significant increases in mouse body weight， FBG， FFA， TC， TG， and LDL-C levels （P<0.01）， along with significant hepatic lipid droplets， reduced hepatic glycogen， noticeable cholesterol accumulation in intestinal tissues， significantly decreased expression of FXR， SHP， PPARα proteins， and significantly increased expression of CYP7A1 protein in liver tissues （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the metformin group and the high- and medium-dose modified Gegen Qinliantang groups demonstrated significant reductions in mouse body weight， FBG， FFA， TC， TG， LDL-C levels （P<0.05， P<0.01）， significant increases in HDL-C levels （P<0.05， P<0.01）， decreased hepatic lipid accumulation， increased hepatic glycogen， reduced intestinal cholesterol accumulation， significantly increased expression of FXR， SHP， PPARα proteins， and significantly decreased expression of CYP7A1 protein in liver tissues （P<0.01）. ConclusionModified Gegen Qinliantang may regulate the FXR/SHP/PPARα signaling pathway to suppress FFA levels and improve lipid metabolism in T2DM mice.
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ObjectiveTo discuss the effect of modified Gegen Qinliantang （MGQT） on blood glucose and lipids and Takeda G protein-coupled receptor 5 （TGR5）-related pathways in pancreatic tissue of obese type 2 diabetes mellitus （T2DM） mice. MethodA total of 10 male specific pathogen free （SPF） m/m mice （7 weeks old） and 50 male SPF （7 weeks old） were adaptively fed for one week in SPF laboratory. The m/m mice were included in the blank group. T2DM was induce d in the 50 db/db mice. The model mice were randomized into the model group， metformin group （0.2 g·kg-1）， high-dose， medium-dose， and low-dose （31.9， 19.1， 6.4 g·kg-1） MGQT groups， with 10 in each group， and the drug dose was10 mL·kg-1. The model group and the blank group received distilled water of the same volume. The administration lasted 12 weeks （once/day）. Fasting blood glucose （FBG） was detected regularly. After 12 weeks of administration， serum levels of glycated serum protein （GSP）， serum glucose （GLU）， total cholesterol （TC）， triglycerides （TG）， high-density lipoprotein cholesterol （HDL-C）， and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol （LDL-C） were detected. Pathological changes in the pancreatic tissue were based on hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining. Western blot was used to determine the protein expression of TGR5， protein kinase A （PKA）， phosphorylated （p）-PKA， cyclic-AMP response element binding protein （CREB）， p-CREB， proprotein convertase 1/3 （PC1/3）， and glucagon-like peptide-1 （GLP-1） in pancreatic tissues. The level of cyclic adenosine monophosphate （cAMP） in pancreatic tissue was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. ResultCompared with the blank group， the model group had pathological changes in pancreatic tissue， high levels of FBG， GSP， GLU， TC， TG， and LDL-C （P<0.01）， low level of HDL-C （P<0.05）， low protein expression of TGR5， p-PKA （Thr197）/PKA， p-CREB （Ser133）/CREB， PC1/3， and GLP-1 in pancreatic tissue （P<0.01）， and low content of cAMP in the pancreas （P<0.01）. Pancreatic tissue lesion in the treatment groups were milder than that in the model group. Both the high-dose MGQT and metformin can reduce the levels of FBG， GSP， GLU， TC， TG， and LDL-C in db/db mice （P<0.05， P<0.01） and increase the level of HDL-C （P<0.01）. Except the GLP-1 protein in the medium-dose MGQT group， the protein expression of TGR5， p-PKA （Thr197）/PKA， p-CREB （Ser133）/CREB， PC1/3， and GLP-1 in the high-dose and medium-dose MGQT groups and the metformin group increased compared with that in the model group （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The content of cAMP in the pancreatic tissue of the high-dose and medium-dose MGQT groups and the metformin group was raised compared with that in model group （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionMGQT can improve the glucose homeostasis in db/db mice with T2DM by regulating TGR5/cAMP/GLP-1 signaling pathway-related protein expression.
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ObjectiveTo explore the mechanism of Gegen Qinliantang （GQT） in improving ectopic lipid accumulation in the liver of db/db mice with type 2 diabetes mellitus （T2DM） by regulating the adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase （AMPK）-forkhead box O3a （FoxO3a） autophagy axis， to provide a scientific basis for clarifying the hypoglycemic mechanism of GQT and its clinical application. MethodSeventy-five spontaneous T2DM db/db mice and 15 normal db/m mice were selected and maintained on a regular diet for one week， followed by the measurement of blood glucose. They were then randomly divided into six groups， with 15 mice in each group， including normal group （0.2 g·kg-1 saline）， metformin group （0.2 g·kg-1）， high-， medium， and low-dose GQT group （31.9， 19.1， 6.9 g·kg-1）， and model group （0.2 g·kg-1 saline）. The mice were orally administered the corresponding drugs once daily for 12 weeks. Fasting blood glucose （FBG） and glycated hemoglobin （HbA1c） were detected. Fasting insulin （FINS） and free fatty acid （FFA） levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. Pathological changes in liver tissues were observed by hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining. The protein expression levels of phosphorylated （p）-AMPK， p-FoxO3a， and autophagy-related proteins microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 Ⅱ （LC3Ⅱ） and p62 were detected using Western blot. Immunofluorescence was used to detect the expression of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α （HIF-1α） in liver tissues. Real-time polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） was performed to detect the mRNA expression of AMPK， FoxO3a， and LC3 in liver tissues. ResultCompared with the normal group， the model group showed pathological changes in liver tissues， increased FBG， HbA1c， FINS， and FFA levels （P<0.01）， increased protein expression levels of p-AMPK， p62， and HIF-1α， decreased protein expression levels of p-FoxO3a and LC3Ⅱ in liver tissues （P<0.01）， decreased mRNA expression of AMPK， and increased expression of FoxO3a （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the treatment groups showed relieved liver tissue lesions and decreased FBG， HbA1c， FINS， and FFA levels （P<0.01）. The expression of p-AMPK， p62， and HIF-1α increased， while the expression of p-FoxO3a showed a dose-dependent decrease in the high-dose GQT group. The expression of LC3Ⅱ increased in the metformin group and the high-dose GQT group （P<0.01）. The mRNA expression of AMPK showed a dose-dependent increase， and the expression of FoxO3a showed a dose-dependent decrease in the treatment groups （P<0.01）. ConclusionGQT can improve ectopic lipid accumulation in the liver of T2DM db/db mice， which may be related to the regulation of the AMPK-FoxO3a autophagy axis.
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ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanism of Gegen Qinliantang（GQT） on the intestinal flora of antibiotic-associated diarrhea（AAD） by 16S rRNA sequencing and network pharmacology. MethodSixty SD rats were randomly divided into six groups（n=10）， including blank group， model group， GQT high-， medium- and low-dose groups（10.08， 5.04， 2.52 g·kg-1） as well as Lizhu Changle group（0.15 g·kg-1）， except for the blank group， each group was given clindamycin（250 mg·kg-1） by gavage once a day for 7 consecutive days. After successful modeling， the blank group and the model group were given equal volumes of normal saline by gavage. The other groups were given corresponding doses of drugs by gavage for 14 days. Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform（TCMSP） was used to screen the active components and targets of GQT， GeneCards， Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man（OMIM） database， Pharmacogenetics and Pharmacogenomics Knowledge Base（PharmGKB）， DrugBank and DisGeNET were used to search for AAD disease targets. The drug-disease common targets were obtained by R software. STRING was applied to analyze the target protein-protein interaction， and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes（KEGG） pathway enrichment analysis was performed. Then hematoxylin-eosin（HE） staining was used to observe the pathological changes of the colon， and 16S rRNA sequencing of AAD colon content flora structure further verified the results of network pharmacology. ResultThrough network pharmacology， it was found that 238 active components were screened from GQT and acted on 276 component targets， among which quercetin， puerarin， wogonin and apigenin were the main core components of GQT， 1 097 AAD disease targets and 127 drug-disease intersection targets. The protein-protein interaction network mainly included core targets such as protein kinase B1（Akt1）， interleukin（IL）-6 and IL-1β， which were mainly enriched in the IL-17 signaling pathway. It was verified through animal experiments that compared with the blank group， the colon structure of the model group was seriously abnormal， the intestinal epithelial columnar cells were damaged， the goblet cells were reduced， and a large number of inflammatory cells were infiltrated. Compared with the model group， the colon structure of the GQT high-dose group improved， but there were still abnormalities， the colon structure of GQT medium- and low- dose groups and Lizhu Changle group improved significantly and reached the normal level. GQT could improve the structural diversity of AAD intestinal flora. At the phylum level， the abundance of Firmicutes was increased and the abundance of Bacteroidetes was decreased. At the genus level， the abundance of Lactobacillus was increased， and the abundances of Prevotella and Bacteroides were decreased. Among them， Lactococcus could be used as a biomarker for AAD treatment with GQT， and the prediction of functional metabolism of intestinal flora revealed that GQT could promote acetate and lactate metabolic pathways in the intestine. ConclusionGQT may activate IL-17 signaling pathway by acting on the targets of Akt1 and IL-6 through key components such as quercetin and wogonin， and improve the abundance of Lactococcus in the intestinal tract as well as acetate and lactate metabolic pathways， so as to play a role in repairing the intestinal barrier for the treatment of AAD.
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ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of Gegen Qinliantang （GGQLT）-medicated serum on free fatty acid （FFA）-induced nonalcoholic steatohepatitis （NASH） in vitro model of human hepatoma cells HepG2. MethodNASH model of HepG2 cells was established in vitro， and the cells were intervened with different volume fractions of GGQLT-medicated serum and resveratrol. Intracellular lipid deposition in each group was detected by oil red O staining， the level of reactive oxygen species （ROS） in each group were detected by flow cytometry， the levels of glutathione peroxidase （GSH-Px）， superoxide dismutase （SOD）， triglyceride （TG） and malondialdehyde （MDA） in each group were detected by kits. Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） was used to measure the mRNA expression levels of nuclear transcription factor （NF）E2-related factor 2 （Nrf2）， heme oxygenase-1 （HO-1）， quinone oxidoreductase 1 （NQO1）， Kelch-like epichlorohydrin-associated protein-1 （Keap1）， NF-κB， thioredoxin interacting protein （TXNIP）， interleukin-1β （IL-1β） in HepG2 cells of each group. The protein expression of Nrf2， TXNIP in cells of each group was detected by Western blot. ResultFFA induced large accumulation of intracellular lipids. Compared with the normal group， the activities of GSH-Px and SOD were significantly decreased （P<0.01） and the contents of TG， ROS and MDA were significantly increased （P<0.05， P<0.01） in the model group. Compared with the model group， all GGQLT groups and resveratrol group could elevate intracellular SOD activity to different degrees （P<0.05， P<0.01） and significantly reduce the levels of intracellular ROS and MDA （P<0.05， P<0.01）， GGQLD high- and medium-dose groups and resveratrol group significantly elevated GSH-Px activity （P<0.01）， GGQLD medium- and low-dose groups and resveratrol group significantly decreased TG content （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， GGQLT high- and medium-dose groups and resveratrol group could significantly upregulate the mRNA expression levels of Nrf2， HO-1 and NQO1 （P<0.01）， all GGQLT groups and resveratrol group could significantly downregulate the TXNIP protein expression level， as well as significantly downregulate the mRNA expression levels of Keap1， NF-κB （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Nrf2-siRNA transfection of cells revealed that Nrf2 expression was significantly downregulated （P<0.01） in the Nrf2-siRNA group of cells by comparing with NC-siRNA group at the corresponding dose of drugs， and the inhibitory effects of GGQLT and resveratrol on TXNIP， IL-1β were attenuated. ConclusionFFA induces the production of ROS and inflammatory factors in HepG2 cells， and GGQLT can improve the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant capacities of cells， and its mechanism may be related to the regulation of Nrf2/TXNIP signaling pathway， so as to improve NASH.
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ObjectiveTo explore the underlying mechanism of Gegen Qinliantang （GGQL） in the treatment of ulcerative colitis （UC） in rats and discuss the effects of modification of GGQL on its efficacy. MethodThe UC model was induced in rats by free access to 5% dextran sulfate sodium in saline solution. Male SD rats were randomly divided into a normal group， a model group， a positive control group （sulfasalazine enteric-coated tablets， 350 mg·kg-1）， a GGQL group （17 g·kg-1）， a Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma （GR）-absent GGQL group （17 g·kg-1）， a Puerariae Lobatae Radix （PLR）-absent GGQL group （17 g·kg-1）， a GR-PLR group （17 g·kg-1）， and a Scutellariae Radix （SR）-Coptidis Rhizoma （CR） group （17 g·kg-1）. The in vitro antioxidant activities of GGQL and its combinations were evaluated by 2，2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl （DPPH）， 2，2′-azino-bis（3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid） （ABTS）， and fluorescence recovery after photobleaching （FRAP） methods. The degree of colonic tissue injury in each group was evaluated based on the weight changes of rats， the length of the colon， the colon sections， and hematoxylin-eosin （HE）-stained histopathologic sections. The serum levels of myeloperoxidase （MPO）， lipid peroxide （LPO）， malondialdehyde （MDA）， total superoxide dismutase （T-SOD）， catalase （CAT）， and reduced glutathione （GSH） were measured by colorimetry. The mRNA and protein expression of nuclear factor-erythroid 2 related factor （Nrf2）， quinone oxidoreductase 1 （NQO1）， and heme oxygenase-1 （HO-1） in colon tissues was detected by real-time fluorescence-based quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） and Western blot， respectively. ResultCompared with the normal group， the model group showed colonic mucosal necrosis， inflammatory infiltration， increased serum levels of MPO， LPO， and MDA （P<0.01）， blunted activities of T-SOD， CAT， and GSH （P<0.01）， decreasing trend of mRNA expression of Nrf2， NQO1， and HO-1， reduced expression of Nrf2 protein （P<0.01）， and decreasing trend of expression of NQO1 and HO-1 proteins. Compared with the model group， the GGQL and its combination groups showed improved pathological injury and morphological structure of colon tissues in UC rats， reduced serum levels of MPO， LPO， and MDA （P<0.05）， potentiated T-SOD activity （the PLR-absent GGQL group）， CAT activity （the GR-absent GGQL group and the SR-CR group）， and GSH activity （P<0.01）， and increased mRNA and protein expression of Nrf2， NQO1， and HO-1 in colon tissues. The difference in the GGQL group was significant （P<0.05）. ConclusionGGQL has a restorative effect on the pathological injury of UC rats， and its mechanism may be related to the activation of the Nrf2 signaling pathway and inhibition of oxidative stress response. The absence of PLR or only presence of SR and CR has a great impact on the treatment of UC. The results can provide references for the clinical rational medication of Chinese medicine and the research on the mechanism of compound combinations.
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ObjectiveTo explore the effect of Gegen Qinliantang （GQL） on vulnerable plaque of atherosclerosis based on the macrophage pyroptosis mediated by nuclear factor （NF）-κB/NOD-like receptor protein 3 （NLRP3）/cysteine-aspartic acid protease （Caspase）-1 pathway. MethodA total of 12 normal C57BL/6CNC mice were used as the control group， and 60 ApoE-/- mice of the same line were randomized into 5 groups： model group， low-dose， medium-dose， and high-dose GQL groups （GQL-D， GQL-Z， GQL-G groups， respectively）， and western medicine group. The control group and model group were given （ig） equal volume sterile distilled， and GQL-D， GQL-Z， GQL-G and western medicine groups received （ig） corresponding concentration of drugs for 8 weeks. Aortic plaques were observed based on hematoxylin and eosin （HE） staining. Serum levels of interleukin （IL）-1β and IL-18 were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）， protein levels of macrophage mannose receptor （CD206）/apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD （ASC） and CD206/NLRP3 by double-labeling immunofluorescence， and C-terminal gasdermin D （GSDMD）， N-terminal GSDMD， NLRP3， pro-cysteinyl aspartate specific proteinase 1 （pro-Caspase-1） and NF-κB p65 by Western blot. ResultCompared with the control group， model group demonstrated serious pathological changes， rise of the levels of serum IL-1β and IL-18 and tissue ASC， NLRP3， C-terminal GSDMD， N-terminal GSDMD， pro-Caspase-1， and NF-κB p65， and decrease of CD206 level （P<0.05）. As compared with model group， the administration groups showed alleviation of the lesions in aortic wall， decrease in levels of serum IL-1β and IL-18 and tissue ASC， NLRP3， C-terminal GSDMD， N-terminal GSDMD， pro-Caspase-1， and NF-κB p65， and rise of CD206 level， with significant difference between some groups （P<0.05）. ConclusionGegen Qinliantang alleviates vulnerable plaque of atherosclerosis by regulating NF-κB/NLRP3/Caspase-1 pathway and further relieving macrophage pyroptosis.
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ObjectiveTo explore the mechanism underlying the intervention of Gegen Qinliantang （GQL） in vulnerable plaques in atherosclerosis （AS） of ApoE-/- mice by regulating the polarization of macrophages. MethodTwelve normal C57BL/6CNC mice were used as the control group， and 60 ApoE-/- mice of the same line were randomized into 5 groups： model group， low-dose， middle-dose， and high-dose GQL groups （GQL-D， GQL-Z， and GQL-G groups， respectively）， and atorvastatin group （western medicine group）. High-fat diet was used for modeling. The control group and the model group were given （ig） equal volume of sterile distilled water， and GQL-D， GQL-Z， GQL-G， and western medicine groups received （ig） corresponding concentration of drugs for 8 weeks. The levels of total cholesterol （TC）， triglyceride （TG）， high-density lipoprotein cholesterol （HDL-C）， and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol （LDL-C） were detected with biochemical methods. The distribution of plaques in the aortic region was observed based on oil red O staining and hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining. Serum levels of M1 pro-inflammatory factors tumor necrosis factor （TNF）-α and interleukin （IL）-6 and M2 anti-inflammatory factors IL-13 and transforming growth factor （TGF）-β were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. Protein expression of macrophage mannose receptor CD206/arginase-1 （Arg-1） and CD206/inducible nitric oxide synthase （iNOS） was determined by double-labeling immunofluorescence， and mRNA expression of aortic Arg-1 and iNOS by real-time polymerase chain reaction （PCR）. ResultLevels of TG， TC， and LDL-C were significantly lower and HDL-C level was significantly higher in the GQL-Z， GQL-G， and western medicine groups than in the model group. As the concentration of GQL rose， the area with plaques gradually shrunk and the color became lighter. The staining areas of the GQL-G group and the western medicine group were the most scattered. The administration groups showed significant increase in the protein levels of Arg-1 and CD206， significant decrease in the protein level of iNOS， significant rise of Arg-1 mRNA level， and significant drop of iNOS mRNA level （P<0.05）. ConclusionGQL intervenes in the vulnerable plaques in AS by improving lipid metabolism， inhibiting macrophage M1 polarization， promoting macrophage M2 polarization， and further improving the inflammatory microenvironment.
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ObjectiveThis study aims to explore the potential molecular mechanism of Gegen Qinliantang （GQL） in the intervention of atherosclerosis （AS） based on network pharmacology and molecular docking. MethodThe active components and targets of each medicinal in GQL were retrieved from the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform （TCMSP）， and AS-related genes from 7 databases. Thereby， the anti-AS targets of GQL were screened out. Cytoscape 3.8.0 was employed to construct the "component-target" network， and STRING the protein-protein interaction （PPI） network. Core targets were screened out with CytoNCA. R clusterProfiler was used for Gene Ontology （GO） term enrichment and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes （KEGG） pathway enrichment of target genes， which were then visualized. Finally， molecular docking of the top ten active components with the core targets of AS was performed and the binding affinity was compared with that between atorvastatin and the core targets. ResultIn the end， 150 active components of GQL， 20 289 AS targets， and 213 common targets were retrieved， and 48 core common targets were screened out. They were mainly involved in the GO terms of nuclear receptor activity， ligand activation， and transcription factor activity and the pathways of fluid shear force and AS， advanced glycation end products-receptor for advanced glycation end products （AGE/RAGE）， interleukin-17 （IL-17）， tumor necrosis factor （TNF）， Toll-like receptor pathways and other signaling pathways closely related to AS. The molecular docking results showed that the effective components of GQL had high binding affinity to core targets of AS， and the binding affinity was even higher than that between the atorvastatin and core targets. The five groups with high binding affinity were puerarin-TNF， baicalein-inducible nitric oxide synthase 2 （NOS2）， puerarin-NOS2， and formononetin-NOS2， wogonin-NOS2. ConclusionThe above result provides new ideas for further exploration of this classical decoction.
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ObjectiveTo explore the effects of Gegen Qinliantang（GGQL） on the proliferation and apoptosis of intestinal epithelial cells as well as on the expression of cyclic adenosine monophosphate （cAMP）， G protein-coupled receptor 119 （GPR119）， and glucagon-like peptide-1 （GLP-1）， so as to explore its potential hypoglycemic mechanism. MethodTwenty-five Wistar rats were gavaged with GGQL at the dose of 23 g·kg-1 crude drug， twice a day， which meant that 6 mL was administered into each rat per day for preparing the GGQL-containing serum. After seven consecutive times of administration， the intestinal epithelial L （NCI-H716） cells were cultured with different concentrations （1%， 2.5%， 5%， 7.5%， and 10%） of GGQL. The cell proliferation was evaluated using cell counting kit-8 （CCK-8） and the apoptosis by flow cytometry. The GLP-1 and cAMP contents in cell supernatant were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. The mRNA and protein GLP-1 and GPR119 levels were assayed by real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） and Western blot， respectively. ResultCompared with the control group， GGQL significantly reduced the proliferation of NCI-H716 cells（P<0.05）. As the GGQL concentration increased， its inhibitory effect became more obvious. GGQL at each concentration significantly promoted the apoptosis of NCI-H716 cells （P<0.05）. Compared with the control group， GGQL significantly up-regulated the expression of cAMP， GLP-1， and GPR119 （P<0.05）. The results showed that the effect of GGQL was positively correlated with its concentration， and 10% GGQL exhibited the best effect. ConclusionGGQL effectively inhibits the proliferation of NCI-H716 cells and promotes their apoptosis， and it may promote the secretion of GLP-1 by up-regulating the expression of cAMP and GPR119.
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ObjectiveTo observe the effect of classical prescription Gegen Qinliantang（GGQLT） on inflammatory factors and key targets in the inflammatory pathways mediated by lipopolysaccharide in KKAy mice and explore its mechanism in improving spontaneous type 2 diabetes mellitus （T2DM）. MethodSixty-five SPF KKAy mice with spontaneous T2DM and 13 C57BL/6J mice （control） were selected in the barrier system and fed on a high-fat diet. The model was properly induced in 44 mice in the context of random blood glucose exceeding or equal to 13.9 mmol·L-1. Then the mice were assigned into a normal group （20 mL∙kg-1 normal saline）， a model group （20 mL∙kg-1 normal saline）， an acarbose group （3.9 mg∙kg-1）， and high- and low-dose GGQLT groups （1.82 and 0.45 g∙kg-1）， with 11 mice in each group. The mice in each group were treated correspondingly by gavage for eight weeks， once per day. Blood glucose and body weight were systematically evaluated. Twelve hours after the last administration， blood samples were collected from the eyes， and the serum and muscle and liver tissues were extracted. The levels of tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α）， interleukin-6 （IL-6）， and glucose transporter type 4 （GluT4） were detected by semi-quantitative enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. The protein expression of IκB kinase β （IKKβ） and nuclear factor-κB （NF-κB） in muscle tissues and Toll-like receptor 4 （TLR4） in liver tissues was detected by Western blot. ResultCompared with the normal group， the model group showed increased body weight and blood glucose （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the acarbose group and the GGQLT groups showed reduced body weight and blood glucose （P<0.05， P<0.01）. As revealed by ELISA results， compared with the normal group， the model group showed increased levels of TNF-α and IL-6 （P<0.01） and deceased GluT4 level （P<0.05）. Compared with the model group， the groups with drug treatment showed reduced levels of TNF-α and IL-6 （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and the acarbose group and the high-dose GGQLT group showed increased GluT4 level （P<0.05， P<0.01）. As displayed by Western blot results， compared with the normal group， the model group showed increased protein expression of IKKβ， NF-κB， and TLR4 （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the acarbose group and the GGQLT groups showed reduced protein expression of IKKβ， NF-κB， and TLR4 （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionGGQLT can inhibit the inflammatory cascade effect and improve T2DM by down-regulating the levels of key inflammatory factors in the TLR4 pathway， inhibiting their activation， and increasing the translocation and activity of GluT4 on the basis of the regulation of intestinal flora.
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Objective:To study the effect of Gegen Qinliantang （GQT） on the structure of intestinal flora in dysbacterial diarrhea rats by 16S rRNA sequencing. Method:Sixty healthy SD rats were randomly and equally divided into a control group， a model group， high-， medium-， and low-dose GQT groups， and a Bifidobiogen group. The rat model was induced in the five groups except the control group by administration of mixed antibiotics （178.6 mg·kg<sup>-1</sup> cefradine and 31.25 mg·kg<sup>-1 </sup>gentamicin sulfate） according to the dose. Drug intervention was carried out in each group （7.02， 3.51， and 1.755 g·kg<sup>-1</sup> GQT for the high-， medium-， and low-dose GQT groups， 0.125 g·kg<sup>-1</sup> bifidobacterium capsules for the Bifidobiogen group， and sterile distilled water for the control and model groups） with a volume of 10 mL·kg<sup>-1</sup> for seven days. Colon contents of rats were obtained under anesthesia. The extracted fecal DNA underwent 16S rRNA high-throughput sequencing and the results were analyzed. Result:GQT was proved capable of adjusting the species number and Alpha and Beta diversity， improving the biological richness and diversity of the flora， and positively regulating three differential phyla （Firmicutes， Proteobacteria， and Bacteroidetes） and 14 differential genera （<italic>Bacteroides</italic>，<italic> Parabacteroides</italic>，<italic> Blautia</italic>， etc.） in rat model of dysbacterial diarrhea. Conclusion:The present study confirmed the regulatory effect of GQT on intestinal flora of dysbacterial diarrhea rats， and revealed the physiological and pathological mechanism between intestinal flora and dysbacterial diarrhea.
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Diabetes has become one of the fastest growing public health issues in the world. Its pathological mechanism is complex and affected by multiple factors. There are trillions of microbes in the human intestine， which are roughly divided into three types： probiotics， neutral bacteria， and pathogenic bacteria. They are in a dynamic balance and constitute a complex intestinal micro-ecosystem. The balance and homeostasis of the intestinal micro-ecosystem are essential to maintain the stability of the body's environment and human health. With the rapid development of high-throughput sequencing technology， imbalanced intestinal flora distribution has been proven to be an important factor in promoting the development of insulin resistance （IR）， thus increasing the risk of diabetes. In recent years， the regulation of intestinal flora has become a new approach and new target for the prevention and treatment of diabetes and its complications. The application of traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） in treatment of metabolic diseases such as diabetes and obesity has a long history. TCM has its unique characteristics and advantages， however， the unclear mechanism of action has limited its modernization and industrialization. The harmonious symbiosis between the intestinal flora and the host is consistent with the TCM theory of "harmony between human and nature". The effect of TCM on the intestinal microflora has gradually become a hot topic in medical research today. One study believes that diabetes originates from "intestinal fever". At present， some relevant experimental researches and clinical research literatures have shown that some heat-clearing Chinese herbal compounds have a certain regulating effect on imbalanced intestinal flora. Therefore， the relationship between intestinal flora and diabetes was explored， and the mechanism of heat-clearing Chinese herbal compounds （Da Chaihutang， Gegen Qinliantang， Huanglian Jiedutang， and Wumeiwan） in preventing and treating heat syndrome of diabetes through regulation of intestinal flora was analyzed， in order to provide new theoretical basis and research clues for the further development of drugs for treating diabetes.
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Objective:Considering the efficacy of Gegen Qinliantang （GQT） in releasing exterior and clearing interior to alleviate dampness-heat dysentery， we analyzed the mechanism of the chloroform extract of GQT in alleviating enterotoxicity caused by irinotecan to provide an experimental basis for the development of GQT. Method:Kunming mice （<italic>n</italic>=60） were randomly divided into a blank group， a model group， a loperamide group （positive drug of loperamide hydrochloride capsule， 0.4 mg·kg<sup>-1</sup>）， and high- （2.3 g·kg<sup>-1</sup>） and low-dose （1.16 g·kg<sup>-1</sup>） GQT chloroform extract groups. The mouse model of delayed diarrhea was established by intraperitoneal injection of irinotecan hydrochloride （CPT-11， 55 mg·kg<sup>-1</sup>） for four consecutive days， meanwhile， the mice in the blank group only received the same volume of normal saline. Corresponding drugs were administered by gavage on the fifth day， respectively， while the ones in the blank group and model group were given distilled water for five consecutive days. The general condition of mice in each group was observed， and diarrhea indexes of mice were recorded. Pathological changes in colon tissues of mice were observed by hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining. The tumor necrosis factor （TNF）-<italic>α</italic>， interleukin （IL）-1<italic>β</italic>， cyclooxygenase （COX）-2， intercellular adhesion molecule （ICAM）-1， glutathione peroxidase （GSH-Px）， superoxide dismutase （SOD）， malondialdehyde （MDA） and nitric oxide （NO） levels in colon tissues were detected with the assay kits. Furthermore， the expression levels of Kelch sample epoxy chloropropane associated protein 1 （Keap1）， nuclear factor E<sub>2</sub> related factor 2 （Nrf2）， tight junction protein-1 （ZO-1）， heme oxygenase-1 （HO-1） and tight junction protein （Occludin） were detected by Western blot. Result:Compared with the blank group， the model group showed declined body weight and reduced contents of GSH-Px and SOD （<italic>P</italic><0.01）， whereas increased diarrhea indexes and TNF-<italic>α</italic>， IL-1<italic>β</italic>， COX-2， ICAM-1， MDA and NO levels （<italic>P</italic><0.01）. Abundant inflammatory cells and colonic mucosa with defects， swelling， bleeding， and inflammatory exudation were revealed by HE staining in the mice of the model group. The expression levels of Keap1， Nrf2， ZO-1， HO-1 and Occludin in colon tissues significantly declined （<italic>P</italic><0.01）. Compared with the model group， the loperamide group and the high- and low-dose GQT chloroform extract groups exhibited improved weight loss， reduced diarrhea indexes， diminished TNF-<italic>α</italic>，<italic> </italic>IL-1<italic>β</italic>， COX-2， ICAM-1， MDA and NO， and elevated GSH-Px and SOD. HE staining indicated that the cells were compactly arranged with clear nuclei in the high- and low-dose GQT chloroform extract groups， and the expression levels of Keap1， Nrf2， HO-1， Occludin， and ZO-1 were up-regulated. Conclusion:GQT chloroform extract may alleviate CPT-11-induced delayed diarrhea by regulating inflammation and oxidative stress for enhancing the intestinal barrier function. These findings are expected to provide a reference for exploring the toxicity-attenuating effect of Chinese medicinals on chemotherapy drugs and for developing famous classical formulas.
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Gegen Qinliantang， a classic traditional Chinese medicine（TCM） compound， has been verified in modern research to possess various pharmacological effects such as anti-inflammation，anti-oxidative stress，protecting intestinal mucosal barrier， and regulating intestinal flora and immune response. Ulcerative colitis （UC） is a chronic idiopathic inflammatory disease involving the colorectal mucosa， which mainly results from genetic susceptibility， intestinal mucosal barrier damage， abnormal immune response， intestinal flora disturbance， and bile acid metabolism disorders. By reviewing the literature published in recent years， this paper sorted out the relevant pathways and mechanisms involved in the treatment of UC by Gegen Qinliantang to provide ideas for further clinical and basic research. This literature review uncovered that Gegen Qinliantang exerted the therapeutic effects against UC mainly via interleukin-6（IL-6）/Janus tyrosine kinase 2（JAK2）/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3（STAT3） signaling pathway， Toll like receptor 4（TLR4）/nuclear transcription factor-κB（NF-κB） signaling pathway，Notch signaling pathway， and matrix metalloproteinase-9（MMP-9）/p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase（p38 MAPK） signaling pathway. Gegen Qinliantang regulates the intercellular molecular transmission in multiple pathways to protect the intestinal mucosal barrier， adjust the immune response and anti-oxidative stress， and relieve UC， demonstrating the multi-target， multi-mechanism， and multi-pathway advantages of TCM compounds.
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Objective:To explore the protective effect of Gegen Qinliantang on the intestinal mucosal epithelial barrier function of ulcerative colitis （UC） mice， and to explore its mechanism of action in the treatment of ulcerative colitis via matrix metallopeptidase-9 （MMP-9）/p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase （p38 MAPK） signaling pathway. Method:The 48 female C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into normal group， model group， sulfasalazine group （0.3 g·kg<sup>-1</sup>） and Gegen Qinliantang high， medium and low dose groups （2.84，1.42，0.71 g·kg<sup>-1</sup>）. The UC murine model was established by 3% dextran sulfate sodium （DSS）. Gegen Qinliantang and sulfasalazine were intragastrically administered on the 8<sup>th</sup> day after the model was established for 7 days， and the normal group was treated with the same amount of normal saline. Colon tissues were collected after the last administration， and the pathological changes of colon tissues were detected by hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining. The expression of tight junction （TJ） proteins such as Occludin and zonula occludens-1（ZO-1） in colon tissues was detected by immunohistochemistry （IHC）， and the expression levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha （TNF-<italic>α</italic>）， interleukin-1<italic>β</italic> （IL-1<italic>β</italic>）， and MMP-9 mRNA in colon tissues were detected by Real-time polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR）. The expression of phosphorylated p38 MAPK （p-p38 MAPK）， p38 MAPK and MMP-9 protein in colon tissues was detected by Western blot. Result:Compared with normal group， the body weight of mice decreased （<italic>P</italic><0.01） and disease activity index （DAI） score increased significantly （<italic>P</italic><0.01） in model group， the colon tissues of the model group were damaged more obviously， the expression of occludin and ZO-1 proteins in model group was significantly reduced （<italic>P</italic><0.01）， and the relative expression levels of TNF-<italic>α</italic>， IL-1<italic>β</italic>， and MMP-9 mRNA in model group were significantly increased （<italic>P</italic><0.01）， the expression of p-p38 MAPK and MMP-9 in model group was significantly increased （<italic>P</italic><0.01）. Compared with model group， the body mass and DAI score of the sulfasalazine group and Gegen Qinliantang group were significantly improved （<italic>P</italic><0.05，<italic>P</italic><0.01）， the colonic tissues damage were significantly improved， and the expression of Occludin and ZO-1 protein was significantly increased （<italic>P</italic><0.05，<italic>P</italic><0.01）， the relative expression levels of TNF-<italic>α</italic>， IL-1<italic>β</italic>， and MMP-9 mRNA were significantly decreased （<italic>P</italic><0.01）， and the expression of p-p38 MAPK and MMP-9 was significantly decreased （<italic>P</italic><0.01）. The changes in the middle dose group were the most obvious among the various dose groups of Gegen Qinliantang. Conclusion:Gegen Qinliantang repairs the intestinal mucosal barrier function by inhibiting the expressions of MMP-9 and inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-<italic>α</italic> and IL-1<italic>β</italic>， blocking the activation of the p38 MAPK signaling pathway， and increasing the expressions of tight junction protein.