Deciphering the Mechanism of Xijiao Dihuang Decoction in Treating Psoriasis by Network Pharmacology and Experimental Validation.

Purpose: This study aims to confirm the efficacy of Xijiao Dihuang decoction (XJDHT), a classic prescription, in treating psoriasis and to explore the potential therapeutic mechanism. Methods: For pharmacodynamic analysis, a mouse model of imiquimod cream (IMQ)-induced psoriasis was constructed. Active ingredients and genes of XJDHT, as well as psoriasis-related targets, were obtained from public databases. Intersecting genes (IGEs) of XJDHT and psoriasis were collected by Venn Diagram. A protein-protein interaction (PPI) network of IGEs is constructed through the STRING database. The Molecular Complex Detection (MCODE) and Cytohubba plug-ins of Cytoscape software were used to identified hub genes. In addition, we conducted enrichment analysis of IGEs using the R package clusterProfiler. Hub genes were validated via external GEO databases. The influence of XJDHT on Hub gene expression was examined by qPCR and ELISA, and molecular docking was used to evaluate the binding efficacy between active ingredients and hub genes. Results: The results revealed that XJDHT possesses 92 potential genes for psoriasis, and 8 Hub genes were screened. Enrichment analysis suggested that XJDHT ameliorate psoriasis through multiple pathways, including AGE-RAGE, HIF-1, IL-17 and TNF signaling pathway. Validation data confirmed the differential expression of IL6, VEGFA, TNF, MMP9, STAT3, and TLR4. Molecular docking revealed a strong affinity between active ingredients and Hub genes. The efficacy of XJDHT in improving psoriatic lesions in model mice was demonstrated by PASI score and HE staining, potentially attributed to the down-regulation of VEGFA, MMP9, STAT3, TNF, and IL-17A, as evidenced by ELISA and qPCR. Conclusion: This study employed network pharmacology and in vitro experiments to identify the potential mechanisms underlying the therapeutic effects of XJDHT on psoriasis, providing a new theoretical basis for its clinical application in the treatment of psoriasis.

Music-based interventions in the feeding environment on the gut microbiota of mice.

Gut microbiota is established to be associated with the diversity of gastrointestinal conditions, but information on the variation associated with music and gut microbes is limited. Current study revealed the impacts of music intervention during feeding on the growth performance and gut microbes of mice by using clinical symptoms and 16S rRNA sequencing techniques. The results showed that feeding mice with music had a significant increase in body weight after the 25th day. The Firmicutes and Proteobacteria were the most dominant phylum in the gut microbiota. Also, the relative abundance of the dominant bacteria was variable after musical intervention. In contrast to the control group, a significant decrease in alpha diversity analysis of gut bacterial microorganisms and Metastats analysis showed a significant increase in the relative abundance of 5 genera and one phylum after the music intervention. Moreover, the musical intervention during feeding caused modifications in the gut microbial composition of mice, as evidenced by an increase in the level of Firmicutes and Lactobacillus, while decreases the richness of pathogenic bacteria, e.g. Proteobacteria, Cyanobacteria and Muribaculaceae, etc. In summary, music intervention increased body weight and enhanced the abundance of beneficial bacteria by reducing the prevalence of pathogenic bacteria in gut microbiota of mice.