Integrative & Complementary Medicine

Article Plant Sciences

Radix Saposhnikoviae enhancing Huangqi Chifeng Decoction improves lipid metabolism in AS mice

Jiaqi Fu, Yuqin Liang, Donghua Yu, Yu Wang, Fang Lu, Shumin Liu

Summary: This study aimed to investigate the role of Radix Saposhnikoviae (RS), which is designed as a guide drug for Huangqi Chifeng decoction (HQCF), in improving lipid metabolism in atherosclerosis (AS) patients. The results showed that HQCF can reduce atherosclerotic lesions in the aorta and lipid accumulation in the liver, potentially by activating the AMPK pathway to regulate lipid transport and metabolic function. These effects can be attributed to the guidance and synergism of RS.

JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY (2024)

Article Plant Sciences

The compatibility rationality of Sijunzi decoction based on integrated analysis of tissue distribution and excretion characteristics in spleen deficiency syndrome rats

Bangjian Dong, Ying Peng, Mengyue Wang, Chongsheng Peng, Xiaobo Li

Summary: This study elucidated the tissue distribution and excretion characteristics of the non-polysaccharide components of Sijunzi decoction in rats with spleen deficiency syndrome. It proposed new insights into the rationality of the compatibility of Sijunzi decoction.

JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY (2024)

Article Plant Sciences

Optimal compatibility proportional screening of Trichosanthis Pericarpium- Trichosanthis Radix and its anti- Inflammatory components effect on experimental zebrafish and coughing mice

Pei Liu, Xiao-ying Tan, Huang-qin Zhang, Ke-lei Su, Er-xin Shang, Qing-ling Xiao, Sheng Guo, Jin-ao Duan

Summary: The study aims to investigate the optimal combination ratio of Trichosanthis Pericarpium - Trichosanthis Radix (TP-TR) and its anti-inflammatory active ingredients in the treatment of cough. Through zebrafish and mouse models, the study found that TP-TR at a ratio of 1:2 exhibited superior anti-inflammatory effects and identified several anti-inflammatory active ingredients. Furthermore, network pharmacology and intestinal flora sequencing validated the anti-inflammatory components of TP-TR and revealed its potential regulatory effects on gut microbes.

JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY (2024)

Article Plant Sciences

The protective role of Achyranthes aspera extract against cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity by alleviating oxidative stress, inflammation, and PANoptosis

Song-Yi Lin, Chia-Lin Chang, Kuo-Tong Liou, Yao-Kai Kao, Yea-Hwey Wang, Cher-Chia Chang, Terry B. J. Kuo, Hung-Tse Huang, Cheryl C. H. Yang, Chia-Ching Liaw, Yuh-Chiang Shen

Summary: This study investigates the molecular mechanisms of the action of Achyranthes aspera using an integrative approach and aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of its protective effects and underlying signaling networks.

JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY (2024)

Article Plant Sciences

Gleditsiae sinensis fructus Pills combined with Jujubae fructus attenuate chronic bronchitis via regulation of AGE-RAGE signaling pathway

Chang-chang Wang, Le Kang, Bei-lei Zuo, Xin Peng, Hong-wei Li, Ning Zhou, Kai Li

Summary: The study elucidated the mechanisms of action of GF&JF against chronic bronchitis through network pharmacology and experimental verification, showing that the combination effectively inhibits the inflammatory response and regulates the expression of the AGE-RAGE signaling pathway. Quercetin and stigmasterol are identified as the main active ingredients in the treatment of chronic bronchitis.

JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY (2024)

Article Plant Sciences

Yi Mai granule improve energy supply of endothelial cells in atherosclerosis via miRNA-125a-5p regulating mitochondrial autophagy through Pink1-Mfn2-Parkin pathway

De Zhao Kong, Peng Sun, Yi Lu, Ye Yang, Dong Yu Min, Si Cheng Zheng, Yi Yang, Zhe Zhang, Guan Lin Yang, Jun Wen Jiang

Summary: Yi Mai granule (YMG) has therapeutic effects in improving mitochondrial autophagy and alleviating cardiovascular disease possibly by regulating the Pink1-Mfn2-Parkin pathway via miRNA-125a-5p and regulating proinflammatory factors, vasoconstriction cytokines, and blood lipids to alleviate atherosclerosis.

JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY (2024)

Article Plant Sciences

Buddlejasaponin IVb ameliorates ferroptosis of dopaminergic neuron by suppressing IRP2-mediated iron overload in Parkinson's disease

Qiang-Ming Li, Tong Xu, Xue-Qiang Zha, Xiao-Wen Feng, Feng-Yun Zhang, Jian-Ping Luo

Summary: BJP-IVb suppressed iron overload-mediated dopaminergic neuron ferroptosis and improved motor dysfunctions in PD, providing a potential drug candidate for the treatment of PD.

JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY (2024)

Article Plant Sciences

Acute and 90-day toxicological safety assessment of Shang-Ke-Huang-Shui lotion in New Zealand White rabbits

Fanghao Zheng, Tingting Zhao, Zhenyang Liu

Summary: This study aimed to investigate the acute and long-term toxicity of Shang-Ke-Huang-Shui lotion (SKHS) in rabbits using topical administration. The results suggest that topical administration of SKHS can be considered relatively safe and did not reveal any severe toxicity or side effects in this study.

JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY (2024)

Article Plant Sciences

TMT-based quantitative proteomics reveals the protective mechanism of tenuigenin after experimental intracerebral hemorrhage in mice

Peng Wang, YiQing Shen, Anatol Manaenko, FangYu Liu, WenSong Yang, ZhongSong Xiao, PeiZheng Li, YuXin Ran, RuoZhi Dang, Yong He, QingYuan Wu, Peng Xie, Qi Li

Summary: This study investigated the potential mechanism of Tenuigenin (TNG) in treating intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) using animal experiments and proteomics analysis. The results showed that TNG could improve neurological functions, reduce cerebral edema and hematoma volume in ICH. The therapeutic effects of TNG on ICH were found to be closely associated with the complement system.

JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY (2024)

Article Plant Sciences

Multi-target meridians classification based on the topological structure of anti-cancer phytochemicals using deep learning

Sheng Zhang, Xianwei Zhang, Jiayin Du, Wei Wang, Xitian Pi

Summary: The study aims to develop an AI framework to classify multi-target meridians through the topological structure of phytochemicals. A total of 354 anti-cancer herbs, their corresponding TCM meridians and 5471 ingredient compounds were collected for analysis. A deep learning hybrid model named GRMC consisting of graph convolutional network (GCN) and recurrent neural network (RNN) was employed to generate the meridian multi-label sequences based on molecular graph. The proposed method outperforms several comparison methods and provides a basis for understanding the molecular scientific evidence of TCM meridians.

JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY (2024)

Review Plant Sciences

Guizhi Fuling Formulation: A review on chemical constituents, quality control, pharmacokinetic studies, pharmacological properties, adverse reactions and clinical applications

Xinyue Liu, Lele Chen, Peng Sun, Zhaoshuang Zhan, Jiafeng Wang

Summary: Guizhi Fuling Formulation (GF), a traditional Chinese medicine prescription, has significant value in the treatment of gynecological diseases and tumors. However, research on GF still faces challenges in terms of quality control, pharmacological and pharmacokinetic processes, and clinical safety.

JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY (2024)

Article Plant Sciences

Black mulberry extract inhibits hepatic adipogenesis through AMPK/mTOR signaling pathway in T2DM mice

Yudi Yao, Yang Chen, Huijian Chen, Xin Pan, Xiaojun Li, Wenqi Liu, Yerlan Bahetjan, Binan Lu, Kejian Pang, Xinzhou Yang, Zongran Pang

Summary: This study aimed to investigate the potential of Morus nigra L. fruit ethyl acetate extract (MNF-EA) in reducing blood sugar levels by preventing the production of hepatic lipogenesis, and to provide more evidence for its use as an adjuvant therapy for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY (2024)

Article Plant Sciences

Panax Quinquefolium Saponins enhances angiogenesis in rats with diabetes and myocardial infarction

Deng Pan, Lin Xu, Pengfei Chen, Lina Miao, Yi Tian, Dazhuo Shi, Ming Guo

Summary: PQS improves blood glucose, enhances cardiac function, mitigates cardiac damage, and boosts arteriolar density. The angiogenic impact of PQS appears to be, at least partially, due to its modulation of the PKC delta-mediated VEGF/PI3K-Akt/eNOS signaling pathway in rats with diabetes and myocardial infarction.

JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY (2024)

Article Plant Sciences

Gastroprotective potential of red onion (Allium cepa L.) peel in ethanol-induced gastric injury in rats: Involvement of Nrf2/HO-1 and HMGB-1/NF-κB trajectories

Nermeen B. Ali, Sherihan Salaheldin Abdelhamid Ibrahim, Muhammad A. Alsherbiny, Eman Sheta, Riham A. El-Shiekh, Rehab M. Ashour, Amira A. El-Gazar, Ghada M. Ragab, Sabah H. El-Gayed, Chun Guang Li, Essam Abdel-Sattar

Summary: Red onion peels have potential in treating gastric ulcers by modulating the Nrf2/HO-1 and HMGB-1/NF-kappa B pathways.

JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY (2024)

Article Plant Sciences

Sceletium tortuosum-derived mesembrine significantly contributes to the anxiolytic effect of Zembrin®, but its anti-depressant effect may require synergy of multiple plant constituents

Johane Gericke, Brian H. Harvey, Lesha Pretorius, Tracey Ollewagen, Rohan M. Benecke, Carine Smith

Summary: This study determined the effective concentration of a Sceletium tortuosum (ST) extract with anxiolytic and antidepressant effects using zebrafish larvae as a model. The results showed that the alkaloid mesembrine contributed significantly to the anxiolytic effects of the extract. However, the contribution of individual alkaloids to the antidepressant effects could not be determined. Further investigation into the mechanisms of action and potential synergistic effects of ST alkaloids is warranted.

JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY (2024)

Article Plant Sciences

Xihuang pill ameliorates colitis in mice by improving mucosal barrier injury and inhibiting inflammatory cell filtration through network regulation

Meng-Lei Hu, Qian-Zan Liao, Bo-Tong Liu, Kai Sun, Chun-Shui Pan, Xiao-Yi Wang, Li Yan, Xin-Mei Huo, Xian-Qun Zheng, Yuan Wang, Li-Jun Zhong, Jian Liu, Lin He, Jing-Yan Han

Summary: Xihuang pill (XHP), a traditional Chinese medicine formula, has been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties against colitis. This study aimed to investigate the potential impact of XHP on colitis and uncover the underlying mechanisms involved. The results showed that XHP improved weight loss, colonic shortening, and mucosal barrier injury, while reducing the number of infiltrating immune cells and pro-inflammatory cytokines in the colon tissue. Additionally, pharmacokinetic analysis revealed that XHP contained multiple prototype ingredients that regulated proteins linked to mucosal barrier injury and inflammation.

JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY (2024)

Article Plant Sciences

An Andrographis paniculata Burm. Nees extract standardized for three main Andrographolides prevents house dust mite-induced airway inflammation, remodeling, and hyperreactivity by regulating Th1/Th2 gene expression in mice

Ibrahim Sulaiman, Emmanuel Oshiogwe Okwuofu, Norhafizah Mohtarrudin, Jonathan Chee Woei Lim, Johnson Stanslas

Summary: The standardized Andrographis paniculata 50% ethanol extract (APEE50) showed anti-inflammatory effects in a mouse asthma model by down-regulating Th2 cytokine gene expression and oxidative stress levels.

JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY (2024)

Article Plant Sciences

The Qi Yin San Liang San decoction enhances anti-CD19 CAR-T cell function in the treatment of B-cell lymphomas

Shi Dong, Peipei Wang, Liubo Zhang, Xiaotian Zhang, Xiaorui Li, Jiali Wang, Xinming Cui, Ting Lan, Can Gao, Yuanyuan Shi, Weijia Wang, Jianxun Wang, Miao Jiang

Summary: SLS can potentially enhance the function of anti-CD19 CAR T cells in treating B-cell lymphoma by improving their killing ability and reducing the risk associated with inflammation. The mechanism of SLS involves the apoptosis and IL-17 signaling pathways.

JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY (2024)

Article Plant Sciences

Fagopyrum tataricum (L.) Gaertn interacts with Gsk-3β/Nrf-2 signalling to protect neurotoxicity in a zebrafish model

Shubham Nilkanth Rahmatkar, Anil Kumar Rana, Rajneesh Kumar, Damanpreet Singh

Summary: This study investigated the neuroprotective effects of Fagopyrum tataricum seed extract against acrylamide-induced neurotoxicity. The extract showed anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, improved locomotor deficits, and reduced oxidative stress. It prevented neurotoxicity by suppressing Gsk-3 beta-mediated oxidative stress.

JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY (2024)

Article Plant Sciences

Inhibition of pro-inflammatory cytokines by selected southern African medicinal plants in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages

Gugulethu P. Khumalo, Thanh Nguyen, Ben-Erik Van Wyk, Yunjiang Feng, Ian E. Cock

Summary: In this study, the immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory properties of bark from ten important southern African plants were evaluated. It was found that most of these plants exhibited cytokine inhibitory effects, providing new insights into the mechanisms by which they regulate inflammation.

JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY (2024)