Objective:To investigate the potential efficacy and safety of Lutai Danshen Baishao granules(LDBG)for treating female melasma associated with kidney deficiency and blood stasis patterns.Methods:A randomized,double-bli...Objective:To investigate the potential efficacy and safety of Lutai Danshen Baishao granules(LDBG)for treating female melasma associated with kidney deficiency and blood stasis patterns.Methods:A randomized,double-blind,placebo-controlled trial was conducted at the Third Central Hospital of Tianjin,China from March to December 2023.A total of 110 female patients with melasma linked to kidney deficiency and blood stasis were enrolled and treated with either LDBG or a placebo twice daily for 60 days.Efficacy was assessed through measures such as the total melasma area,reduced melasma area,reduction rate of melasma area,melasma color score,Melasma Area and Severity Index(MASI)score,and traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)symptom score scale.Safety assessments included routine blood and biochemical tests.Results:Participants in both groups were aged 52-63 years,with no significant differences.After the 2-month intervention,the total melasma area decreased in both groups;however,a greater reduction was observed in the test group[462.50 mm^(2)(12.81%)vs.100.00 mm2(3.11%),P<.001].Moreover,LDBG treatment significantly reduced the MASI and melasma color scores in the test group(P<.05).The total TCM symptom evaluation score significantly decreased(test group:6.00 vs.placebo group:7.00,P=.001),with significant relief in symptoms such as improvement in dark lips,nails,and waist soreness in the test group,compared with that in the placebo group(P<.05).Within-group comparisons revealed that TCM syndrome was significantly alleviated in the test group(P<.05).Conclusion:LDBG intervention shows promising effectiveness in reducing female melasma and alleviating TCM syndromes.展开更多
Objective:To identify the active components in Maimendong decoction(MMDD)against pulmonary fibrosis(PF)and validate their molecular effects in vitro,while focusing on the role of methyl-ophiopogonanone B in regulating...Objective:To identify the active components in Maimendong decoction(MMDD)against pulmonary fibrosis(PF)and validate their molecular effects in vitro,while focusing on the role of methyl-ophiopogonanone B in regulating fibrosis.Methods:Data on MMDD components and targets were gathered from databases including BATMAN-TCM and PubMed,whereas the PF gene data were sourced from GeneCards,OMIM,and TTD.Shared targets were determined using the STRING database,and molecular docking was used to analyze the essential molecules associated with fibrosis.To simulate PF conditions,human embryonic lung fibro-blasts(HPF)and A549 cells were exposed to transforming growth factor-β1(TGF-β1).Various assays were used to determine the effects of MMDD and methylophiopogonanone B on signaling pathways,apoptosis,and epithelialemesenchymal transition.Results:We identified 11 active components from MMDD extracts that targeted 511 shared proteins associated with PF,revealing 10 key targets in network analysis.Gene ontology analysis indicated that processes and pathways such as apoptosis regulation and PI3K/Akt signaling were involved.In vitro experiments revealed that MMDD downregulated the expression ofα-smooth muscle actin(a-SMA),collagen typeⅠ(COL-Ⅰ),and collagen typeⅢand regulated Bcl-2/Bax signaling pathways to promote apoptosis.The flow cytometry apoptosis assay revealed that MMDD promoted the TGF-β1-induced apoptosis of myofibroblasts.The primary active ingredient in MMDD,methylophiopogonanone B,reducedα-SMA,COL-Ⅰ,and PI3K/Akt/mTOR-related protein levels in TGF-β1-treated HPF cells,decreased Bcl-2 and cleaved caspase 3,and increased Bax.Moreover,methylophiopogonanone B increased E-cadherin levels and reducedα-SMA,fibronectin,N-cadherin,vimentin,and snail in TGF-b1-treated A549 cells.Conclusion:Methylophiopogonanone B demonstrated the potential to treat PF by inducing myofibroblast apoptosis and inhibiting EMT.However,despite encouraging initial results,further clinical research is warranted to verify the safety and efficacy of methylophiopogonanone B in the management of PF.展开更多
Objective:To explore the neuroprotective effects of the Shaoyao Gancao decoction(SGD)against excitatory damage in PC12 cells and the role of the Src-NR2-nNOS pathway mediation by SGD in regulatingγ-aminobutyric acid(...Objective:To explore the neuroprotective effects of the Shaoyao Gancao decoction(SGD)against excitatory damage in PC12 cells and the role of the Src-NR2-nNOS pathway mediation by SGD in regulatingγ-aminobutyric acid(GABA)-glutamate(Glu)homeostasis.Methods: N-Methyl-d-aspartic acid(NMDA)was used to establish a PC12 cell excitability injury model.To investigate the neuroprotective effect of SGD,a cell counting kit-8(CCK-8)assay was used to determine PC12 cell viability,Annexin V/Propidium Iodide(Annexin V/PI)double staining was used to determine PC12 cell apoptosis,and Ca^(2+)concentration was observed using laser confocal microscopy.GABA receptor agonists and antagonists were used to analyze the neuroprotective interactions betweenγ-aminobutyric acid(GABA)and NMDA receptors.Additionally,molecular biology techniques were used to determine mRNA and protein expression in the Src-NR2-nNOS pathway.We analyzed the correlations between the regulatory sites of GABA and NMDA interactions,excitatory neurotoxicity,and brain damage at the molecular level.Results: NMDA excitotoxic injury manifested as a significant decrease in cell activity,increased apoptosis and caspase-3 protein expression,and a significant increase in intracellular Ca^(2+)concentration.Administration of SGD,a GABAA receptor agonist(muscimol),or a GABAB receptor agonist(baclofen)decreased intracellular Ca^(2+)concentrations,attenuated apoptosis,and reversed NMDA-induced upregulation of caspase-3,Src,NMDAR2A,NMDAR2B,and nNOS.Unexpectedly,a GABA_(A)receptor antagonist(bicuculline)and a GABA_(B)receptor antagonist(saclofen)failed to significantly increase excitatory neurotoxicity.Conclusions: Taken together,these results not only provide an experimental basis for SGD administration in the clinical treatment of central nervous system injury diseases,but also suggest that the Src-NR2A-nNOS pathway may be a valuable target in excitotoxicity treatment.展开更多
Objective:To explore and validate the potential targets of Paeoniae Radix Alba(P.Radix,Bai Shao)in protecting against chemical liver injury through network pharmacology,molecular docking technology,and in vitro cell e...Objective:To explore and validate the potential targets of Paeoniae Radix Alba(P.Radix,Bai Shao)in protecting against chemical liver injury through network pharmacology,molecular docking technology,and in vitro cell experiments.Methods:Network pharmacology was used to identify the common potential targets of P.Radix and chemical liver injury.Molecular docking was used to fit the components,which were subsequently verified in vitro.A cell model of hepatic fibrosis was established by activating hepatic stellate cell(HSC)-LX2 cells with 10 ng/mL transforming growth factor-β1.The cells were exposed to different concentrations of total glucosides of paeony(TGP),the active substance of P.Radix,and then evaluated using the cell counting kit-8 assay,enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay,and western blot.Results:Analysis through network pharmacology revealed 13 key compounds of P.Radix,and the potential targets for preventing chemical liver injury were IL-6,AKT serine/threonine kinase 1,jun protooncogene,heat shock protein 90 alpha family class A member 1(HSP90AA1),peroxisome proliferator activated receptor gamma(PPARG),PTGS2,and CASP3.Gene Ontology(GO)enrichment analysis indicated the involvement of response to drugs,membrane rafts,and peptide binding.Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG)enrichment analysis revealed that the main pathways involved lipid and atherosclerosis and chemical carcinogenesis-receptor activation.Paeoniflorin and albiflorin exhibited strong affinity for HSP90AA1,PTGS2,PPARG,and CASP3.Different concentrations of TGP can inhibit the expression of COL-I,COL-III,IL-6,TNF-a,IL-1β,HSP-90a,and PTGS2 while increasing the expression of PPAR-γand CASP3 in activated HSC-LX2 cells.Conclusion:P.Radix primarily can regulate targets such as HSP90AA1,PTGS2,PPARG,CASP3.TGP,the main active compound of P.Radix,protects against chemical liver injury by reducing the inflammatory response,activating apoptotic proteins,and promoting the apoptosis of activated HSCs.展开更多
基金funded by the National Key Research and Development Plan of the Traditional Chinese Medicine Modernization Research Key Project(2018YFC1706800).
文摘Objective:To investigate the potential efficacy and safety of Lutai Danshen Baishao granules(LDBG)for treating female melasma associated with kidney deficiency and blood stasis patterns.Methods:A randomized,double-blind,placebo-controlled trial was conducted at the Third Central Hospital of Tianjin,China from March to December 2023.A total of 110 female patients with melasma linked to kidney deficiency and blood stasis were enrolled and treated with either LDBG or a placebo twice daily for 60 days.Efficacy was assessed through measures such as the total melasma area,reduced melasma area,reduction rate of melasma area,melasma color score,Melasma Area and Severity Index(MASI)score,and traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)symptom score scale.Safety assessments included routine blood and biochemical tests.Results:Participants in both groups were aged 52-63 years,with no significant differences.After the 2-month intervention,the total melasma area decreased in both groups;however,a greater reduction was observed in the test group[462.50 mm^(2)(12.81%)vs.100.00 mm2(3.11%),P<.001].Moreover,LDBG treatment significantly reduced the MASI and melasma color scores in the test group(P<.05).The total TCM symptom evaluation score significantly decreased(test group:6.00 vs.placebo group:7.00,P=.001),with significant relief in symptoms such as improvement in dark lips,nails,and waist soreness in the test group,compared with that in the placebo group(P<.05).Within-group comparisons revealed that TCM syndrome was significantly alleviated in the test group(P<.05).Conclusion:LDBG intervention shows promising effectiveness in reducing female melasma and alleviating TCM syndromes.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(82274242 and 81573716)Beijing Natural Science Foundation(7172126).
文摘Objective:To identify the active components in Maimendong decoction(MMDD)against pulmonary fibrosis(PF)and validate their molecular effects in vitro,while focusing on the role of methyl-ophiopogonanone B in regulating fibrosis.Methods:Data on MMDD components and targets were gathered from databases including BATMAN-TCM and PubMed,whereas the PF gene data were sourced from GeneCards,OMIM,and TTD.Shared targets were determined using the STRING database,and molecular docking was used to analyze the essential molecules associated with fibrosis.To simulate PF conditions,human embryonic lung fibro-blasts(HPF)and A549 cells were exposed to transforming growth factor-β1(TGF-β1).Various assays were used to determine the effects of MMDD and methylophiopogonanone B on signaling pathways,apoptosis,and epithelialemesenchymal transition.Results:We identified 11 active components from MMDD extracts that targeted 511 shared proteins associated with PF,revealing 10 key targets in network analysis.Gene ontology analysis indicated that processes and pathways such as apoptosis regulation and PI3K/Akt signaling were involved.In vitro experiments revealed that MMDD downregulated the expression ofα-smooth muscle actin(a-SMA),collagen typeⅠ(COL-Ⅰ),and collagen typeⅢand regulated Bcl-2/Bax signaling pathways to promote apoptosis.The flow cytometry apoptosis assay revealed that MMDD promoted the TGF-β1-induced apoptosis of myofibroblasts.The primary active ingredient in MMDD,methylophiopogonanone B,reducedα-SMA,COL-Ⅰ,and PI3K/Akt/mTOR-related protein levels in TGF-β1-treated HPF cells,decreased Bcl-2 and cleaved caspase 3,and increased Bax.Moreover,methylophiopogonanone B increased E-cadherin levels and reducedα-SMA,fibronectin,N-cadherin,vimentin,and snail in TGF-b1-treated A549 cells.Conclusion:Methylophiopogonanone B demonstrated the potential to treat PF by inducing myofibroblast apoptosis and inhibiting EMT.However,despite encouraging initial results,further clinical research is warranted to verify the safety and efficacy of methylophiopogonanone B in the management of PF.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(82074036).
文摘Objective:To explore the neuroprotective effects of the Shaoyao Gancao decoction(SGD)against excitatory damage in PC12 cells and the role of the Src-NR2-nNOS pathway mediation by SGD in regulatingγ-aminobutyric acid(GABA)-glutamate(Glu)homeostasis.Methods: N-Methyl-d-aspartic acid(NMDA)was used to establish a PC12 cell excitability injury model.To investigate the neuroprotective effect of SGD,a cell counting kit-8(CCK-8)assay was used to determine PC12 cell viability,Annexin V/Propidium Iodide(Annexin V/PI)double staining was used to determine PC12 cell apoptosis,and Ca^(2+)concentration was observed using laser confocal microscopy.GABA receptor agonists and antagonists were used to analyze the neuroprotective interactions betweenγ-aminobutyric acid(GABA)and NMDA receptors.Additionally,molecular biology techniques were used to determine mRNA and protein expression in the Src-NR2-nNOS pathway.We analyzed the correlations between the regulatory sites of GABA and NMDA interactions,excitatory neurotoxicity,and brain damage at the molecular level.Results: NMDA excitotoxic injury manifested as a significant decrease in cell activity,increased apoptosis and caspase-3 protein expression,and a significant increase in intracellular Ca^(2+)concentration.Administration of SGD,a GABAA receptor agonist(muscimol),or a GABAB receptor agonist(baclofen)decreased intracellular Ca^(2+)concentrations,attenuated apoptosis,and reversed NMDA-induced upregulation of caspase-3,Src,NMDAR2A,NMDAR2B,and nNOS.Unexpectedly,a GABA_(A)receptor antagonist(bicuculline)and a GABA_(B)receptor antagonist(saclofen)failed to significantly increase excitatory neurotoxicity.Conclusions: Taken together,these results not only provide an experimental basis for SGD administration in the clinical treatment of central nervous system injury diseases,but also suggest that the Src-NR2A-nNOS pathway may be a valuable target in excitotoxicity treatment.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(82074036).
文摘Objective:To explore and validate the potential targets of Paeoniae Radix Alba(P.Radix,Bai Shao)in protecting against chemical liver injury through network pharmacology,molecular docking technology,and in vitro cell experiments.Methods:Network pharmacology was used to identify the common potential targets of P.Radix and chemical liver injury.Molecular docking was used to fit the components,which were subsequently verified in vitro.A cell model of hepatic fibrosis was established by activating hepatic stellate cell(HSC)-LX2 cells with 10 ng/mL transforming growth factor-β1.The cells were exposed to different concentrations of total glucosides of paeony(TGP),the active substance of P.Radix,and then evaluated using the cell counting kit-8 assay,enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay,and western blot.Results:Analysis through network pharmacology revealed 13 key compounds of P.Radix,and the potential targets for preventing chemical liver injury were IL-6,AKT serine/threonine kinase 1,jun protooncogene,heat shock protein 90 alpha family class A member 1(HSP90AA1),peroxisome proliferator activated receptor gamma(PPARG),PTGS2,and CASP3.Gene Ontology(GO)enrichment analysis indicated the involvement of response to drugs,membrane rafts,and peptide binding.Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG)enrichment analysis revealed that the main pathways involved lipid and atherosclerosis and chemical carcinogenesis-receptor activation.Paeoniflorin and albiflorin exhibited strong affinity for HSP90AA1,PTGS2,PPARG,and CASP3.Different concentrations of TGP can inhibit the expression of COL-I,COL-III,IL-6,TNF-a,IL-1β,HSP-90a,and PTGS2 while increasing the expression of PPAR-γand CASP3 in activated HSC-LX2 cells.Conclusion:P.Radix primarily can regulate targets such as HSP90AA1,PTGS2,PPARG,CASP3.TGP,the main active compound of P.Radix,protects against chemical liver injury by reducing the inflammatory response,activating apoptotic proteins,and promoting the apoptosis of activated HSCs.
