Pharmaceutical Biology

CONTEXT: Loke zupa decoction (Lok) is a well-established classic Chinese folk remedy for asthma. OBJECTIVE: We sought to investigate the effect and mechanism of Lok on asthma airway remodelling and provide novel insights for the prevention and treatment of asthma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: For in vitro experiments, BEAS-2B cells were assigned into six groups: Control, TGF-β1 (10 μM), TGF-β1 + Lok-20, TGF-β1 + Lok-40, TGF-β1 + Lok-80 μg/mL and TGF-β1 + SB431542 (5 μM)...

CONTEXT: Si-Miao-Yong-An (SMYA) has been widely used for the clinical treatment of atherosclerosis (AS). Yet, its complete mechanism of action is not fully understood. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the mechanism by which SMYA stabilizes AS plaques from the perspective of inhibiting vasa vasorum (VV) angiogenesis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We used male ApoE-/- mice to establish an AS model. The mice were divided into model, SMYA (11.7 mg/kg/d), and simvastatin (SVTT) (2...

CONTEXT: Tormentic acid (TA), an effective triterpenoid isolated from Chaenomeles speciosa (Sweet) Nakai (Rosaceae) fruits, exerts an effective treatment for gastric damage. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the gastroprotective effect of TA on indomethacin (IND) damaged GES-1 cells and rats, and explore potential mechanisms. MATERIALS AND METHODS: TA concentrations of 1.563-25 µM were used. Cell proliferation, apoptosis and migration were performed using MTT, colony formation, wound healing, migration, Hoechst staining assays...

CONTEXT: Styrax is used for prevention and treatment of cerebrovascular diseases. However, the underlying mechanism remains unclear. OBJECTIVE: To elucidate styrax's anti-ischemic stroke protective effects and underlying mechanisms. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An ischemic-stroke rat model was established based on middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to the following groups ( n  = 10) and administered intragastrically once a day for 7 consecutive days: sham, model, nimodipine (24 mg/kg), styrax-L (0...

CONTEXT: (-)-Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) is involved in cell proliferation and ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury of several organs. OBJECTIVE: To identify the role of EGCG in intestinal epithelial proliferation and barrier exposed to I/R injury. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Fifty Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into sham, I/R, I/R + EGCG (12.5 mg/kg), I/R + EGCG (25 mg/kg) and I/R + EGCG (50 mg/kg)...

CONTEXT: Danggui Buxue Decoction (DBD), a traditional Chinese medicine formula, has the potential to enhance the antitumor effect of gemcitabine in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treatment by increasing gemcitabine's active metabolites. However, whether gemcitabine affects the pharmacokinetics of DBD's major components remains unclear. OBJECTIVE: This study evaluates the herb-drug interaction between DBD's major components and gemcitabine and validates the underlying pharmacokinetic mechanism...

CONTEXT: Zengye decoction (ZYD) has been considered to have a curative effect on Sjogren's syndrome (SS). However, its therapeutic mechanisms remain obscure. OBJECTIVES: This research explores the mechanisms of ZYD against SS. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The active compounds and targets of ZYD were searched in the TCMSP and BATMAN-TCM databases. SS-related targets were obtained from the GeneCards database. The GO and KEGG enrichment analyses elucidated the molecular mechanisms...

CONTEXT: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), is still ongoing and currently the most striking epidemic disease. With the rapid global spread of SARS-CoV-2 variants, new antivirals are urgently needed to avert a more serious crisis. Inhibitors from traditional medicines or natural plants have shown promising results to fight COVID-19 with different mechanisms of action. OBJECTIVES: To provide comprehensive and promising approaches to the medical community in the fight against this epidemic by reviewing potential plant-derived anti-SARS-CoV-2 inhibitors...

CONTEXT: Yiqi Liangxue Shengji prescription (YQLXSJ) is a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formula that has long been used for treatment after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). OBJECTIVE: To investigate the putative pharmacological mechanism of YQLXSJ on restenosis through an integrated approach utilizing metabolomics and network pharmacology. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into sham, model, YQLXSJ, and positive groups...

CONTEXT: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common inflammatory skin disease characterized with hyperactivation of type 2 T helper (Th2) immune responses. Icariin is a flavonoid glucoside with anti-inflammatory activities, which has been used to treat multiple diseases. OBJECTIVE: The present study investigates the underlying mechanisms by which icariin regulates Th2 responses and AD development. MATERIALS AND METHODS: BALB/c mice were induced by DNFB to establish AD models, and injected with or without 10 mg/kg icariin for 2 weeks (i...

CONTEXT: Xiaojianzhong decoction (XJZD), classically prescribed in Chinese medicine, has protective and healing effects on gastric mucosal injury. However, the exact mechanism behind this effect remains unclear. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of XJZD on gastric mucosal injury and explore its underlying mechanisms. MATERIALS AND METHODS: C57BL/6 mice were randomized into six groups ( n  = 10): the control group receiving sterile water, the model (aspirin 300 mg/kg), the XJZD high-dose (12 g/kg), XJZD medium-dose (6 g/kg), XJZD low-dose (3 g/kg) and omeprazole (20 mg/kg) groups, by gavage daily for 14 days...

CONTEXT: Clerodendranthus spicatus Thunb. (Labiatae) (CS), a perennial traditional Chinese medicinal herb that can reduce serum uric acid (sUA) levels and ameliorate renal function is widely used to treat hyperuricaemic nephropathy (HN). OBJECTIVE: To investigate the molecular mechanism of action of CS in HN treatment using in vivo and in vitro experiments. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into control, HN, CS and positive control allopurinol groups...

CONTEXT: Preparations of Echinacea have been used by herbalists to boost the immune system. OBJECTIVE: In this study, Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench (Asteraceae) extract with enriched chicoric acid content was investigated for immunomodulation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The standardized hydroalcoholic extract (4% chicoric acid) was prepared from the aerial parts of E. purpurea (SEP). The extract was screened for in vitro antioxidant activities, and immunomodulation in RAW 264...

CONTEXT: Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is the main cause of end-stage renal disease. Modified Shen-Yan-Fang-Shuai formula (M-SYFSF) has excellent clinical efficacy in treating diabetic kidney disease. However, the potential mechanism of M-SYFSF remains unknown. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the mechanism of M-SYFSF against DN by network pharmacological analysis and biological experiments. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Utilizing a web-based pharmacology database, the potential mechanisms of M-SYFSF against DN were identified...

CONTEXT: Levodopa combined with traditional Chinese medicine has a synergistic effect on Parkinson's disease (PD). Recently, we demonstrated that Nardostachys jatamansi (D. Don) DC. [syn. Patrinia jatamansi D.Don, N. grandiflora DC.] (Valerianaceae) (NJ) can alleviate PD. OBJECTIVE: To explore the synergistic effect of NJ combined with levodopa against PD. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The PD model was established by injecting rotenone. Eighty-four Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into seven groups: sham, model, different doses of NJ (0...

CONTEXT: Bauhinia purpurea L. (Fabaceae) is used in the Ayurvedic system to treat various oxidative-related ailments (e.g., wounds, ulcers etc.). Therefore, it is believed that the plant also has the potential to alleviate oxidative-related liver damage. OBJECTIVE: This study elucidates the hepatoprotective activity of chloroform extract of B. purpurea leaves (CEBP) in paracetamol (PCM)-induced liver injury (PILI) rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Male Sprague-Dawley rats ( n  = 6) were pre-treated once daily (p...

CONTEXT: Ginsenoside metabolite compound K (CK) is an active metabolite produced by ginsenosides in vivo that has an anti-arthritic effect related to the glucocorticoid receptor (GR). However, the potential mechanisms of CK remain unclear. OBJECTIVE: This study explores the role and potential mechanisms of CK in vivo and in vitro . MATERIALS AND METHODS: Adjuvant arthritis (AA) model was induced in Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats; the rats were randomly divided into four groups ( n  = 10): normal, AA, CK (80 mg/kg), and dexamethasone (Dex) group (1 mg/kg)...

CONTEXT: Arjunolic acid (AA) is a triterpenoid saponin found in Terminalia arjuna (Roxb.) Wight & Arn. (Combretaceae). It exerts cardiovascular protective effects as a phytomedicine. However, it is unclear how AA exerts the effects at the molecular level. OBJECTIVE: This study investigates the cardioprotective effects of arjunolic acid (AA) via MyD88-dependant TLR4 downstream signaling marker expression. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The MTT viability assay was used to assess the cytotoxicity of AA...

CONTEXT: Qi Teng Xiao Zhuo granule (QTXZG) is a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) used for therapeutic effects on chronic glomerulonephritis (CGN). However, the underlying mechanism remains unclear. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the molecular mechanism of QTXZG on CGN by proteomics. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The CGN model was induced in Sprague-Dawley rats by injecting adriamycin (3.5 mg/kg, Day 1; 3.0 mg/kg, Day 14) twice through the tail vein...

CONTEXT: Dihydromyricetin (DMY) is extracted from vine tea, a traditional Chinese herbal medicine with anti-cancer, liver protection, and cholesterol-lowering effects. OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the mechanism of DMY against hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Potential DMY, HCC, and cholesterol targets were collected from relevant databases. PPI networks were created by STRING. Then, the hub genes of co-targets, screened using CytoHubba...