ABSTRACT
Xuanfei Baidu granule (XFBD) is a recommended patented drug for the prevention and treatment of Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), which is approved by the National Medical Products Administration. XFBD suppresses the over-activated immune response caused by inflammatory factor storms in COVID-19 infection. The intestine plays a crucial role in the immune system. The mass spectrometry based fecal metabolomics with 16S rDNA sequencing were combined to evaluate the effects of XFBD on host metabolism and gut microbiome. Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) contents in fecal matter were quantified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Plasma samples were used to detect immune and inflammatory levels. The results were verified with a rat model of intestinal disorder. Results indicated that XFBD could increase the immune level of Immunoglobulin A (IgA), Immunoglobulin G (IgG) and Immunoglobulin M (IgM) (p < 0.05). The OPLS-DA analysis results showed that a total of 271 differential metabolites (178 up-regulated and 93 down-regulated) were identified based on the VIP ≥1, p < 0.05, FC ≥ 2 and FC ≤ 0.5. The metabolic pathways mainly involved D-Glutamine and D-glutamate metabolism, Arginine biosynthesis, Biotin metabolism, et al. XFBD modified the gut bacteria structure according to the principal component analysis (PCA), that is, 2 phyla, 3 classes, 5 orders, 11 families and 14 genera were significantly different based on taxonomic assignment. In addition, it could partially callback the relative abundance of intestinal microflora in bacterial disorder rats caused by antibiotics. It is suggested that the intervention mechanism of XFBD might be related to the regulation of intestinal flora composition. The evidence obtained in the study provides a useful reference for understanding the mechanism of XFBD.
ABSTRACT
Cryptotanshinone (CTS), a diterpenoid quinone, is found mostly in Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge (S. miltiorrhiza) and plays a crucial role in many cellular processes, such as cell proliferation/self-renewal, differentiation and apoptosis. In particular, CTS's profound physiological impact on various stem cell populations and their maintenance and fate determination could improve the efficiency and accuracy of stem cell therapy for high-incidence disease. However, as much promise CTS holds, these CTS-mediated processes are complex and multifactorial and many of the underlying mechanisms as well as their clinical significance for high-incidence diseases are not yet fully understood. This review aims to shed light on the impact and mechanisms of CTS on the actions of diverse stem cells and the involvement of CTS in the many processes of stem cell behavior and provide new insights for the application of CTS and stem cell therapy in treating high-incidence diseases.
ABSTRACT
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Danggui Liuhuang Tang (DGLHT), first recorded in "Lan-Shi-Mi-Cang" (written in 1276 AD), is a famous classical formula. In 2018, it was listed in the Catalogue of Ancient Classic and Famous Prescriptions (First Batch) formulated by the National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine and the National Medical Products Administration. Perimenopausal syndrome (PMS) refers to a series of syndromes with autonomic nervous system dysfunction and neuropsychological symptoms. The treatment of PMS demands non-hormonal drugs. Natural products are considered to be effective substitutes for the treatment of PMS. It is reported that DGLHT has not only good therapeutic effects but also higher safety and fewer side effects in the treatment of PMS. However, the mechanism of DGLHT in treating PMS is not clear. AIM OF THE STUDY: To explore the chemical basis and the mechanism of DGLHT in treating PMS. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Multivariate statistical analysis was used to analyze the difference of components in supernatant before and after compatibility of DGLHT based on LC-MS data. The qualitative analysis was performed on the precipitate formed in the decocting process using LC-MS while the quantitative analysis on the potential markers using LC-UV. Then, the potential markers were analyzed by network pharmacology. The regulatory effect of DGLHT on FSH, P and E2 were carried out in PMS rats. RESULTS: Five potential markers, epiberberine, coptisine, palmatine, berberine and baicalin, were screened from the analysis of compounds in the supernatant. Four complexes, composed of potential marker monomers, were identified in the sediment, including two that have not been reported. The key targets of potential markers include TNF, NOS3, EGFR, ESR1, PTGS2, AR, CDC42 and RPS6KB1. The top signaling pathways include the cGMP-PKG signaling pathway, PI3K-Akt signaling pathway and estrogen signaling pathway. DGLHT could call back the hormone levels of P and E2 in PMS rats. CONCLUSION: DGLHT active ingredients, epiberberine, coptisine, palmatine, berberine and baicalin contribute a lot to the therapeutic effect. And DGLHT takes effect by regulating hormones secreted by the ovary.