Study on mechanism of Valerianae Jatamansi Rhizoma et Radix against post-traumatic stress disorder based on molecular docking and network pharmacology / 中国中药杂志

This paper aims to investigate the active components and mechanism of Valerianae Jatamansi Rhizoma et Radix against post-traumatic stress disorder(PTSD) based on network pharmacology and molecular docking. The main components and targets of Valerianae Jatamansi Rhizoma et Radix were obtained by literature mining methods, SwissTargetPrediction, BATMAN and ETCM database. PTSD-related genes were collected from DrugBank, TTD and CTD databases. The protein-protein interaction(PPI) network was constructed based on STRING, and the core targets of Valerianae Jatamansi Rhizoma et Radix in the treatment of PTSD were selected according to the topological parameters. Cytoscape 3.7.2 was used to construct the compound-target network. DAVID database was used for GO enrichment analysis and KEGG enrichment analysis. The relationship network of "compound-target-pathway" was constructed through Cytoscape 3.7.2 to analyze and obtain the key targets and their corresponding components in the network, and their results were verified by molecular docking. The results showed that a total of 47 components(such as valeraldehyde, dihydrovalerin, valerate, chlorovaltrate K, 8-hydroxypinoresinol, 6-hydroxyluteolin, apigenin, farnesin, vanillin, luteolin, kaempferol, glycosmisic acid and pogostemon) of Valerianae Jatamansi Rhizoma et Radix may act on 94 key targets such as CNR1, MAOA, NR3 C1, MAPK14, MAPK8, HTR2 C and DRD2. Totally 29 GO terms were obtained by GO functional enrichment analysis(P<0.05), and 20 signaling pathways were obtained from KEGG pathway enrichment, mainly involving neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction, serotonergic synapse, calcium signaling pathway, cAMP signaling pathway, dopaminergic synapse, retrograde endocannabinoid signaling, neurotrophin signaling pathway, gap junction, cholinergic synapse, estrogen signaling pathway, glutamatergic synapse and long-term potentiation. Molecular docking analysis showed that hydrogen bonding, π-π interaction and hydrophobic effecting may be the main forms of interaction. This study used the network of compound-target-pathway and molecular docking technology to screen the effective components of Valerianae Jatamansi Rhizoma et Radix against PTSD, and explore its anti-PTSD mechanism, so as to provide scientific basis for exploring the anti-PTSD drugs from traditional Chinese medicine and clarifying its mechanism of action.

Anti-depression Effect and Mechanism of Valerianae Jatamansi Rhizoma et Radix / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Psychiatric diseases represented by depression have gradually become one of the major health problems of people in the fast-paced, high-pressure society. Severe cases can cause suicides, huge harm or disaster to families and the society. Although modern medicine has made great progress in the field of anti-depressant drug therapy, depression still cannot be cured. At the same time, traditional Chinese medicines(TCM) with a definite curative effect, few adverse reactions, and mild efficacy have received increasing attention. TCM valerianae Jatanmansi Rhizoma et Radix has been widely used to alleviate sleep disorder, and its root extract is popularly known as valerian and used as a mild sedative for a long time in European. Tagara takes Valerianae Jatamansi Rhizoma et Radix as the key ingredient for treatment of depression-type insomnia, and is available abroad. It is reported that iridoid, sesquiterpenes, flavonoids or extract from Valerianae Jatamansi Rhizoma et Radix has a superior anti-depression activity in both animal and clinical trials, and the mechanism is mainly related to the regulation of neurotransmitters in the brain, the improvement of the function of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, the resistance of free radicals and inflammation, and the neuroprotective effect. However, there is still lack of report on the anti-depression system and in-depth research of Valerianae Jatamansi Rhizoma et Radix. Therefore, it is urgently necessary to systematically collect and summarize the anti-depressant activity and explain the relevant mechanisms, so as to provide reference for the further development of Valerianae Jatamansi Rhizoma et Radix medicinal resources.

1H-NMR Metabolomic Analysis of Brain Tissue of CUMS-Induced Depressed Mice Intervened by Iridoid Part of Valerianae Jatamansi Rhizoma et Radix / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective:Metabolomics was used to analyze the brain tissue samples of model mice with chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) depression, in order to find out the differential metabolites related to depression and to explore the possible antidepressant mechanism of iridoid part of Valerianae Jatamansi Rhizoma et Radix (IEFV). Method:Forty-two Kunming mice were randomly divided into 6 groups, including the normal group, the model group, the fluoxetine group (2.5 mg·kg-1) and the IEFV low, medium, and high dose groups (doses were 5.73, 11.47, 22.94 mg·kg-1, respectively). The behavioral and biochemical indicators of CUMS model mice were used for pharmacodynamic evaluation with IEFV and a positive drug (fluoxetine) as the intervention drugs. Then, the effect of IEFV on endogenous substances of the brain tissue in CUMS model mice were analyzed by nuclear magnetic resonance hydrogen spectrum (1H-NMR) metabolomics, and multivariate statistical analysis was used to identify the differential metabolites and to enrich the metabolic pathways involved in the differential metabolites. Result:After modeling, the immobility time of the model mice increased significantly, their sucrose preference rate and the excitatory neurotransmitters [5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) and norepinephrine (NE)] decreased significantly, indicating the success of modeling. The depression was relieved after IEFV administration, mainly manifested by the recovery of the immobility time, sucrose preference rate and the excitatory neurotransmitters (5-HT and NE). Principal component analysis (PCA) of endogenous metabolites in brain tissue showed that the model group could be significantly separated from the normal group, while the IEFV groups and fluoxetine group all showed a trend of deviating from the model group to the normal group, which was consistent with the behavioral results. The results of orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) showed that there were 16 different metabolites between the model group and the normal group, including 12 water-soluble metabolites and 4 liposoluble metabolites. Seven potential metabolism pathways were obtained through MetPA analysis, including metabolism of phenylalanine, metabolism of phenylalanine, tyrosine and tryptophan, metabolism of taurine and hypotaurine acid, metabolism of alanine, aspartic acid and glutamic acid, biosynthesis of valine, leucine and isoleucine, metabolism of D-glutamine and D-glutamate and tricarboxylic acid cycle (TCA). IEFV-high dose group could significantly recall 11 differential metabolites. Conclusion:IEFV may play an antidepressant role mainly by affecting energy metabolism, amino acid metabolism and neurotransmitter levels, which provides a reference for further study on the antidepressant mechanism of IEFV.

Clinical study on compound prescription with Valerianae Jatamansi Rhizoma et Radix in treatment of generalized anxiety disorder / 中国中药杂志

This study was aimed to observe the clinical efficacy of anxiolytic compound prescription with Valerianae Jatamansi Rhizoma et Radix (ACPV) in treating liver Qi stagnation and feel ill at ease type generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). Sixty-seven patients diagnosed as GAD with stagnation of liver Qi and feel ill at ease were randomly divided into treatment group and control group. Patients in treatment group (n=34) was treated with ACPV decoction, and patients in control group (n=33) were treated with deanxit. Both groups were treated with respective drugs for 4 weeks. HAMA scale, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) symptom scale (liver Qi stagnation and feel ill at ease type) and salivary cortisol levels were measured before and 2 weeks and 4 weeks after drug treatment. The life events scale (LES) and drug safety evaluation were performed before and after 4 weeks treatment. Two patients were excluded according to LES, and 5 patients were discontinued. Sixty patients were enrolled in the study finally (30 cases in each group). As compared with baseline, HAMA scores in both groups were significantly decreased at 2 weeks and 4 weeks (P<0.05, P<0.01). After 2 weeks and 4 weeks treatment, the TCM syndrome score in both group was also significantly improved (P<0.01). Moreover, the salivary cortisol levels in both groups were also decreased at 2 weeks and 4 weeks (P<0.05, P<0.01). The total efficiency between two groups had no statistically significant difference after 2 weeks treatment and 4 weeks treatment; moreover, no statistically significant differences were observed between two groups in HAMA scores, TCM syndrome scale scores and salivary cortisol levels between two groups. The incidence of adverse reactions in the treatment group was significantly lower than that in the control group (P<0.01), and there were no obvious side effects in general physical examination during the period of treatment. Thus, anxiolytic compound prescription with Valerianae Jatamansi Rhizoma et Radix is effective for GAD (stagnation of liver Qi and feel ill at ease type).

Content Determination of Total Iridoid Compounds and Baldrinal and 11-ethoxyviburtinal from Valerianae Jatamansi Rhizoma et Radix / 中国中医药信息杂志

ObjectiveTo establish a method for content determination of total iridoid compounds and baldrinal and 11-ethoxyviburtinal from Valerianae Jatamansi Rhizoma et Radix; To determine the contents of total iridoid compounds and baldrinal and 11-ethoxyviburtinal in Valerianae Jatamansi Rhizoma et Radix from three medicinal origins.Methods UV spectrophotometry was applied, 11-ethoxyviburtinal (cyclopentane-pyran-7-formaldehyde, 4-ethoxy methyl) was set as the reference substance, and the content of total iridoid compounds was determined at 288 nm. HPLC method was used to simultaneously determine the contents of baldrinal and 11-ethoxyviburtinal. The HPLC analysis was performed on a Phenomenex Luna C18 column (250 mm×4.6 mm, 5μm). The mobile phase was composed of acetonitrile-water in gradient elution at a flow rate of 0.95 mL/min. The detection wavelength was 288 nm and the column temperature was 30℃.Results The total iridoid compounds, baldrinal and 11-ethoxyviburtinal were in good linearity within the ranges of 2.088–14.616μg/μL, 74.88–224.64μg, and 41.6–249.6μg, respectively. This method was precise, and with good repeatability, stability and recovery rate.Conclusion The method is accurate, simple, rapid, which can be used for the quality control of Valerianae Jatamansi Rhizoma et Radix.