Jianpi Gushen Huayu decoction ameliorated diabetic nephropathy through modulating metabolites in kidney, and inhibiting TLR4/NF-κB/NLRP3 and JNK/P38 pathways.

BACKGROUND: Jianpi Gushen Huayu Decoction (JPGS) has been used to clinically treat diabetic nephropathy (DN) for many years. However, the protective mechanism of JPGS in treating DN remains unclear. AIM: To evaluate the therapeutic effects and the possible mechanism of JPGS on DN. METHODS: We first evaluated the therapeutic potential of JPGS on a DN mouse model. We then investigated the effect of JPGS on the renal metabolite levels of DN mice using non-targeted metabolomics. Furthermore, we examined the effects of JPGS on c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK)/P38-mediated apoptosis and the inflammatory responses mediated by toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)/nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB)/NOD-like receptor family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3). RESULTS: The ameliorative effects of JPGS on DN mice included the alleviation of renal injury and the control of inflammation and oxidative stress. Untargeted metabolomic analysis revealed that JPGS altered the metabolites of the kidneys in DN mice. A total of 51 differential metabolites were screened. Pathway analysis results indicated that nine pathways significantly changed between the control and model groups, while six pathways significantly altered between the model and JPGS groups. Pathways related to cysteine and methionine metabolism; alanine, tryptophan metabolism; aspartate and glutamate metabolism; and riboflavin metabolism were identified as the key pathways through which JPGS affects DN. Further experimental validation showed that JPGS treatment reduced the expression of TLR4/NF-κB/NLRP3 pathways and JNK/P38 pathway-mediated apoptosis related factors. CONCLUSION: JPGS could markedly treat mice with streptozotocin (STZ)-induced DN, which is possibly related to the regulation of several metabolic pathways found in kidneys. Furthermore, JPGS could improve kidney inflammatory responses and ameliorate kidney injuries in DN mice via the TLR4/NF-κB/NLRP3 pathway and inhibit JNK/P38 pathway-mediated apoptosis in DN mice.

Mechanical study of alisol B 23-acetate on methionine and choline deficient diet-induced nonalcoholic steatohepatitis based on untargeted metabolomics.

Alisol B 23-acetate (AB23A) has been demonstrated to have beneficial effects on nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). However, the mechanisms of AB23A on NASH remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate the mechanisms underlying the metabolic regulatory effects of AB23A on NASH. We used AB23A to treat mice with NASH, which was induced by a methionine and choline deficient (MCD) diet. We initially investigated therapeutic effect and resistance to oxidation and inflammation of AB23A on NASH. Subsequently, we performed untargeted metabolomic analyses and relative validation assessments to evaluate the metabolic regulatory effects of AB23A. AB23A reduced lipid accumulation, ameliorated oxidative stress and decreased pro-inflammatory cytokines in the liver. Untargeted metabolomic analysis found that AB23A altered the metabolites of liver. A total of 55 differential metabolites and three common changed pathways were screened among the control, model and AB23A treatment groups. Further tests validated the effects of AB23A on modulating common changed pathway-involved factors. AB23A treatment can ameliorate NASH by inhibiting oxidative stress and inflammation. The mechanism of AB23A on NASH may be related to the regulation of alanine, aspartate and glutamate metabolism, d-glutamine and d-glutamate metabolism, and arginine biosynthesis pathways.

Mechanical Study of Jian-Gan-Xiao-Zhi Decoction on Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Based on Integrated Network Pharmacology and Untargeted Metabolomics.

Jian-Gan-Xiao-Zhi decoction (JGXZ) has demonstrated beneficial effects on nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). However, the mechanisms by which JGXZ improve NAFLD are still unclear. Methods. In this study, we first used a high-fat diet (HFD) to establish a NAFLD rat model to clarify the therapeutic effect of JGXZ on NAFLD. Secondly, we used network pharmacology to predict the potential targets of JGXZ on NAFLD, and then the key targets obtained from network pharmacology were verified. Finally, we used untargeted metabolomics to study the metabolic regulatory mechanism of JGXZ. Results. JGXZ treatment could decrease body weight and ameliorate dyslipidemia in NAFLD model rats. H&E and oil red O staining indicated that JGXZ reduced steatosis and infiltration of inflammatory cells in the liver. In addition, network pharmacology research found that the potential targets of JGXZ on NAFLD pathway were mainly associated with improving oxidative stress, apoptosis, inflammation, lipid metabolism disorders, and insulin resistance. Further experimental verification confirmed that JGXZ could inhibit inflammation and improve oxidative stress, insulin resistance, and lipid metabolism disorders. Serum untargeted metabolomics analyses indicated that the JGXZ in the treatment of NAFLD may work through the linoleic acid metabolism, alpha-linolenic acid metabolism, tryptophan metabolism, and glycerophospholipid metabolism pathways. Conclusions. In conclusion, this study found that JGXZ has an ameliorative effect on NAFLD, and JGXZ alleviates the inflammatory response and oxidative stress and lipid metabolism disorders in NAFLD rats. The mechanism of action of JGXZ in the treatment of NAFLD may be related to the regulation of linoleic acid metabolism, tryptophan metabolism, alpha-linolenic acid metabolism, and glycerophospholipid metabolism.

[Purification technology of puerarin by agar gel microspheres].

Puerarin is the main active component of flavonoids in Puerariae Lobatae Radix. In this study, agar gel microspheres bonded with ß-cyclodextrin (AG-ß-CD) were synthesized by using economical agar, and then high-purity puerarin was obtained with AB-8 through high-yield separation. With purity and yield of puerarin, and chromatographic purity of related impurities as indexes, four macroporous resins of different properties, namely ADS-7 (high polarity), ADS-17 (medium polarity), ADS-21 (polarity) and AB-8 (weak polarity), were selected for separation of puerarin and technological optimization. In addition, the AG-ß-CD purification process was optimized and verified. The results showed that, AB-8 resins showed the best effect and selected as the pre-treatment resins for crude puerarin, and puerarin with the purity of 87.68% showed a recovery rate of 89.66%. The optimized purification process parameters of AG-ß-CD included mobile phase (15% ethanol), loading capacity (the ratio of loading amount to column volume) (1.33 g•L⁻¹), sample concentration (8 g•L⁻¹) and flow rate (1 mL•min⁻¹), puerarin with the purity of 95% showed a recovery rate of more than 97%.

Combined treatment of Pseudomonas aeruginosa PA01 biofilm formation with the water-soluble extract of Ligustrum sinense and gentamicin sulphate.

Ligustrum sinense are commonly used for their anti-inflammatory, anti-rheumatic, diuretic, and hypotensive activities in traditional Chinese medicine. To observe the effects of the combined treatment of a water-soluble extract of Ligustrum sinense (WEL) and gentamicin sulphate (GS) on Pseudomonas aeruginosa PA01, the micro-dilution method was used to determine the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of GS. Formation of a PA01 biofilm was observed under an optical microscope after treatment with different dosages of WEL and combined treatment with GS. The MIC of WEL was 8g l(-1), and permanent activity was also observed. The effect of WEL with GS was synergistic. The motility, biomass of biofilms, and production of pyocyanin of P. aeruginosa were strongly suppressed in the presence of WEL. The conclusion can be drawn that combined antibiotics can be used to treat the contamination due to the biofilm formation caused by P. aeruginosa.