Research on molecular mechanism of Qiwei Tongbi Oral Liquid in treatment of rheumatoid arthritis via network pharmacology / 中草药

Objective: To investigate the major active components and potential molecular mechanism of Qiwei Tongbi Oral Liquid in treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Methods: After protein targets related with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) were collected by mining literature, DrugBank, TTD and OMIM database, the potentional protein targets based on molecular docking were projected into KEGG databases to illustrate the molecular mechanism of Qiwei Tongbi Oral Liquid. Then RAW264.7 cells induced by LPS were employed to test the predict results. Results: Data analysis showed that 107 potential components acted on 116 RA related targets and 237 pathways. Herb-compound-target-pathway network analysis showed that triterpenoid, flavonoids, sterols and alkaloids isolated from Qiwei Tongbi Oral Liquid were the main active ingredients. These compounds could interact with a group of targets and pathways that might participate in anti-inflammatory, analgesic, immune regulation, proliferation, apoptosis, migration and invasion of synovial fibroblasts, osteoclast differentiation, migration and bone resorption. Some compounds against anti-inflammatory activity were verified by in vitro. Conclusion: The active components of Qiwei Tongbi Oral Liquid could regulate multiple biological pathways by acting with multiple target proteins, playing a role in reducing inflammation and swelling of joints, preventing and reducing the destruction of joint bones, and promoting the repair of damaged joint bones. The research results not only reveal its molecular mechanism and pharmacodynamic components, but also provide a theoretical basis for the subsequent experimental research of Qiwei Tongbi Oral Liquid.

Molecular mechanism of Epimedii Folium in treatment of osteoporosis based on network pharmacology / 中国中药杂志

Osteoporosis is a systematic bone disease,characterized by deterioration in bone mass or micro-architecture,and increasing risk of fragility and fractures. With the development of aging problems,osteoporosis has been a global health problem. At present,due to the undesirable side effects of synthetic osteoporosis inhibitors,more efforts are made in treatment of osteoporosis by traditional Chinese medicine and its prescriptions. Epimedii Folium,one of the most common herbs for osteoporosis,has attracted great attentions worldwide.In this study,network pharmacology was employed to analyze the active components and potential molecular mechanism of Epimedii Folium on osteoporosis. Component-target network analysis showed that those with higher molecular network degree were flavonoids,with estrogen-like activity,antioxidation and free radical-scavenging activities,playing certain roles in preventing and treating osteoporosis. On the other hand,the targets with high degree were mostly related with sex hormone,osteoclast differentiation,bone matrix degradation,and reactive oxygen species in drug-target network. Multiple components of Epimedii Folium could be interacted with these targets. This study shows that Epimedium could prevent and treat osteoporosis through multiple active ingredients acting on multiple targets.

Molecular Mechanism of Sanjie Zhentong Capsule in Treatment of Endometriosis, Adenomyosis, Secondary Dysmenorrhea / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective: To analyze the pharmacological basis and molecular mechanism of Sanjie Zhentong capsule in the treatment of endometriosis, adenomyosis, secondary dysmenorrhea. Method: The 6 compounds of Sanjie Zhentong capsule showed stronger interactions with 87 proteins relating to endometriosis, adenomyosis, and secondary dysmenorrhea in molecular docking. Then the drug-target network was selected, and the network features were analyzed. Result: The molecular docking and network characteristics revealed 5 main active molecules and 23 potential targets of Sanjie Zhentong capsule. Conclusion: The main active ingredients of Sanjie Zhentong capsule have a trong inhibition effect on endometrial angiogenesis and blood circulation, uterine smooth muscle contraction, immune inflammatory reaction and estrogen secretion by acting on the targets of inflammation, cell invasion, metastasis, coagulation system, smooth muscle contraction and neurohormone regulation, so as to treat endometriosis, adenomyosis and secondary dysmenorrhea.

Network-assisted mechanism investigation of Yaobitong Capsules on lumbar intervertebral discs / 中成药

AIM To explore analgesic mechanism of Yaobitong Capsules (Notoginseng Radix et Rhizoma,Chuanxiong Rhizoma,Corydalis Rhizoma,etc.) on lumbar intervertebral discs.METHODS An array of data mining,molecular docking and network analysis were employed to investigate the active compounds and key target protein.RESULTS Among the forty-six active hits identified by virtual screening,most compounds displayed good oral bioavailability and might confer an optimal CNS exposure.And eleven molecules (coptisine,diligustilide,corypalmine,chuanxiongterpene,etc.) were further confirmed to alleviate lumbar intervertebral discs through their targeting at nineteen proteins (such as p38,CGRP,MMPs,TNFα) to inhibit the inflammatory response and the infiltration of microvasculature,to reduce the nociceptors sensitivity,and to modulate the balance of Collagen and proteoglycans in catabolic and anabolic responses.CONCLUSION Yaobitong Capsules' clear molecular working mechanism and the key active compounds are revealed by this network-assisted investigation highlight the subsequent experiments on targets and active compounds.

Effects of ginkgolide A, B and K on platelet aggregation / 中国中药杂志

To investigate the effects of ginkgolide A (GA), ginkgolide B (GB) and ginkgolide K (GK) on platelet aggregation in rabbits, and compare the similarities and differences among these three components. The effects of different doses of ginkgolide A, B and K on platelet aggregation induced by platelet activating factor (PAF) were observed by using in vitro experiment. The results showed that three compounds could inhibit platelet aggregation induced by PAF in vitro, and the intensity was GK> GB> GA. It was further found that all of them can mobilize [Ca2+]i and enhance intracellular c-AMP level in a dose-dependent manner, which was consistent to the ability to antagonize PAF receptor. These findings indicated that GK was highly selective for PAF receptor, and may inhibit platelet aggregation by activating cAMP signaling pathway and inhibiting intracellular [Ca2+]i mobilization; GB and GA also had strong antagonism to PAF receptor, but the effect was weaker than that of GK.

Cerebral vascular protective effect of ginkgo diterpene lactone meglumine injection / 中国中药杂志

The left middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) model was made by inserting the nylon thread plug into the internal carotid artery. The behavioral score, cerebral infarction area, brain water content, ethidium bromide (EB) spillover, coagulation four indices, occludin and MMP-9 expression in brain tissues were detected after 14 days of administration, to investigate whether the protective effect of ginkgo diterpene lactone meglumine injection (GDLMI) which had obvious protective effect on cerebral ischemic injury in the previous experiment was related to reducing the permeability of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and reducing the risk of bleeding, and to explore its possible mechanism of action. The results showed that GDLMI could effectively alleviate the behavioral changes caused by MCAO at 24 h, reduce the behavioral score, improve the edema of brain tissue, reduce the EB overflow rate, reduce the bleeding tendency caused by long-term administration, significantly reduce the occlusion deficiency in ischemic brain tissue of model rats, and down-regulate MMP-9 expression. The above results indicate that GDLMI has obvious effect on cerebral ischemia, and the therapeutic effect of GDLMI may mainly depend on lowering the permeability of blood-brain barrier to improve brain edema.

Monitor on influence of quality standard improvement upon Guizhi Fuling capsules efficacy / 中国中药杂志

In 2012, the preparation process and quality standard for Guizhi Fuling capsule were improved. To compare the effects and differences of capsules before (2011) and after(2012-2014) the improvement, evaluation models for intrinsic dysmenorrhea, pelvic inflammation and hysteromyoma were applied in rats. Models were induced by oxytocin, liqiud bacteria mixture and estrogen loading, respectively. The capsules (12 batchs/year, 48 bathcs in all), sampled randomly in 2011-2014, the effects were assessed using the three models. In anti-dysmenorrhea models, remarked reduction of writhing frequency, ET-1 and PGF2α content in uterus could be detected, as well as extension of writhing latency. In pelvic inflammation rats, depression of TNF-α and raise of IL-2 were induced by earh batch of capsules. In hysteromyoma model, uterine weight and smooth muscle proliferation, including E2 and P level in plasma, were lowered obviously by all batchs of capsules. Secondly, Guizhi Fuling capsules produced in 2012-2014 revealed better effectiveness than the ones manufactured in 2011. Moreover, pharmacodynamics indexes of the samples made in 2011 differed significantly between groups, which could not be observed in the ones ot 2012-2014. After tne preparation process and quality standard improvement, the effectiveness and homogeneity of Guizhi Fuling capsules were enhanced.

Study of effective components and molecular mechanism for Guizhi Fuling formula treatment of dysmenorrhea, pelvic inflammatory disease and uterine fibroids / 中国中药杂志

In this study, the active components and potential molecular .mechanism of Guizhi Fuling formula in treatment on dysmenorrhea, pelvic inflammation, and hysteromyoma were investigated using network pharmacological methods. Sterols and pentacyclic triterpenes, with high moleculal network degree, revealed promising effects on anti-inflammatory, analgesic, anti-tumor, and immune-regulation, according to D-T network analysis. On the other hand, the targets with high degree were involved in inflammatory, coagulation, angiopoiesis, smooth muscle contraction, and cell reproduction, which showed the novel function in anti-dysmenorrhea, pelvic inflammation, and hysteromyoma. Furthermore, the formula was indicated to play a key role in smooth muscle proliferation, inhibition of new vessels, circulation improvement, reduction of hormone secretion, alleviation of smooth muscle, block of arachidonic acid metabolism, and inflammation in uterus. Thus, the main mechanism of Guizhi Fuling formula was summarized. In conclusion, Guizhi Fuling formula was proven to alleviated dysmenorrhea, pelvic inflammation, and hysteromyoma by acting on multiple targets through several bioactive compounds, regulating 21 biological pathways.

Study on effective substance basis and molecular mechanism of Qigui Tongfeng tablet using network pharmacology method / 中国中药杂志

Qigui Tongfeng tablet (QLTFT) is a traditional Chinese medicine with good effect for treating gout. Here, network pharmacology method and molecular similarity analysis were utilized to study the effective substance basis and molecular mechanism of the QLTFT on the gout. The similarity to the medicinal compounds is reflected in the Tanimoto coefficient that gives the structural similarity of two compounds. Operationally, similar modifiers were described as pairs of concepts with a similarity score of 0. 500. The results of the molecular similarity analysis suggested that the flavonoids in QLTFT could be new leads for gout. Furthermore, complex biological systems may be represented and analyzed as computable networks. Two important properties of a network were degree and betweenness. Nodes with high degree or high betweenness may play important roles in the overall composition of a network. And the results of network analysis showed that dongbeinine, verticinone-N-oxide, verticine N-oxide, peimine, peiminine, isobaimonidine, dongbeirine, peimisine and simi-arenol which with high degree acted on xanthine dehydrogenase/oxidase, matrix metalloproteinase-9, an arachidonate 5-lipoxygenase-activating protein, tyrosine-protein kinase and etc. Inhibition of these targets can prevent the formation of uric acid, reduce inflammation by uric acid and regulate the body's immune response. Thus, these compounds may be the main effective substance basis. The research results not only reveals its molecular mechanism, but also provide a theoretical basis for the quality control of drugs and clinical application.

[Application of genome-wide microarray for screening genes related to peritoneal metastasis of colorectal cancer].

OBJECTIVE: To screen genes related to peritoneal metastasis of colorectal cancer. METHODS: Specimens of primary cancer and normal mucosa tissues were collected from 3 patients with peritoneal metastasis of colorectal cancer. The total RNA were extracted and inversely transcribed into cDNA to synthesize aRNA using in vitro RNA synthesis. The synthesized aRNA, after labeling with Cy3, were hybridized with the whole human genome oligo microarray. The Empirical Bayes method was used to screen the differentially expressed genes, followed by confirmation of the selected genes by semi-quantitative RT-PCR. RESULTS: With a threshold of P≤0.05, a total of 105 differentially expressed genes were identified in primary cancer lesions, including 42 up-regulated and 63 down-regulated genes. Three of the up-regulated genes (S100P, PRDX1 and SLPI) were selected and confirmed by RT-PCR, which yielded results consistent with those from gene microarray. CONCLUSION: Gene microarray technique can provide valuable clues for locating the tumor markers of peritoneal metastasis in colorectal cancer patients.

[Low-energy semiconductor laser intranasal irradiation of the blood improves blood coagulation status in normal pregnancy at term].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect of low-energy semiconductor laser intranasal irradiation of the blood on blood coagulation status in healthy pregnant women at term. METHODS: Low-energy semiconductor laser was introduced into the nasal cavity in 126 healthy pregnant women at term and 123 healthy young unmarried women as the control group. The plasma prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), thrombin time (TT), and fibrinogen levels were examined using transmissive turbidimetry after the therapy. RESULTS: PT, APTT and TT levels were significantly lowered, whereas fibrinogen level significantly increased in the healthy pregnant women before the laser therapy as compared with those in the control group (P<0.01). After intranasal laser therapy, these parameters were significantly improved in the healthy pregnant women (P<0.05) although there were differences from those of the control group. CONCLUSION: Low-energy semiconductor laser intranasal irradiation of the blood can effectively improve high blood coagulation status in healthy pregnant women at term.