The American journal of Chinese medicine
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Unlike Western medicines with single-target, the traditional Chinese medicines (TCM) always exhibit diverse curative effects against multiple diseases through its "multi-components" and "multi-targets" manifestations. However, discovery and identification of the major therapeutic diseases and the underlying molecular mechanisms of TCM remain to be challenged. In the current study, we, for the first time, applied an integrated strategy by combining network pharmacology with experimental evaluation, for exploration and demonstration of the therapeutic potentials and the underlying possible mechanisms of a classic TCM formula, Huanglian Jiedu decoction (HLJDD). ⋯ HLJDD exerted its antitumor activity on HCC in vitro, as demonstrated by impaired cell proliferation and colony formation abilities, induced apoptosis and cell cycle arrest, as well as inhibited migratory and invasive properties of HCC cells. The orthotopic HCC implantation mouse model further demonstrated the remarkable antitumour effects of HLJDD on HCC in vivo. In conclusion, our study demonstrated the effectiveness of integrating network pharmacology with experimental study for discovery and identification of the major therapeutic diseases and the underlying molecular mechanisms of TCM.
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Post inflammatory irritable bowel syndrome (PI-IBS), a subset of IBS, is characterized by symptoms of visceral pain, bloating, and changed bowel habits that occur post initial episode of intestinal infection. Gut microbial dysbiosis or inflammation plays a key role in the pathogenesis of abdominal hypersensitivity of PI-IBS. Electroacupuncture (EA) stimulation results in an alleviated PI-IBS-associated symptom. ⋯ In a word, our findings suggest that PI-IBS is associated with significant increase in IL-18 levels as well as an alteration in microbiome diversity. These changes can be reversed with EA treatment. EA stimulation has a positive effect in alleviating symptoms of visceral hypersensitivity and protecting the gastrointestinal tract.
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As a long-established medicinal and edible homologous plant, Taraxacum officinale Wigg. is widely distributed in Asia, Europe, and other parts of the world. T. officinale is reported to exert a variety of biological and pharmacological activities, including anticancer, hepatoprotective, and anti-obesity effects. In this study, we evaluated the anti-inflammatory effects of ethanol extracts of T. officinale (A-TOW) by examining the suppression of proinflammatory mediators in LPS-stimulated BV2 and mouse hippocampus. ⋯ In addition, A-TOW regulates heme oxygenase (HO)-1 expression through the nuclear translocation of nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) in BV2 cells. The effects of A-TOW on the over-expression of proinflammatory mediators were partially reversed by transfection of the cells with HO-1 siRNA. These findings suggest that the potent anti-inflammatory activity of T. officinale, possibly through the regulation of Nrf2/HO-1 and NF- κ B signaling pathway.
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Traditional herbal formula Gushukang (GSK) was clinically applied to treat primary osteoporosis and showed osteoprotective effect in ovariectomized rodent animals and regulatory action on calcium transporters. This study aimed to determine if GSK could ameliorate aged osteoporosis by modulating serum level of calciotropic hormones and improving calcium balance. 18-month-old male mice were orally administered with either GSK (0.38[Formula: see text]g/kg body weight) or calcitriol (1[Formula: see text][Formula: see text]g/kg body weight) combined with high calcium diet (HCD, 1.2% Ca) for 60 days. The aged mice fed with normal calcium diet (NCD, 0.6% Ca) were a negative control. ⋯ NCD group) and increased (vs. HCD group), respectively, in kidney of GSK- and calcitriol-treated mice. Taken together, this study demonstrated the ameliorative effects of Gushukang on aged osteoporosis by effectively stimulating vitamin D production and improving calcium balance of aged mice with high dietary calcium supplement.
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MicroRNA 145 (miR-145) is a critical modulator of cardiovascular diseases. The downregulation of myocardial miR-145 is followed by an increase in disabled-2 (Dab2) expression in cardiomyocytes. (-)-epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) is a flavonoid that has been evaluated extensively due to its diverse pharmacological properties including anti-inflammatory effects. The aim of this study was to investigate the cardioprotective effects of EGCG under hypoxia-induced stress in vitro and in vivo. ⋯ This study demonstrated that EGCG increased miR-145, Wnt3a, and β -catenin expression but attenuated Dab2 expression. Moreover, EGCG ameliorated myocardial ischemia in vivo. The novel suppressive effect was mediated through the miR-145 and Dab2/Wnt3a/ β -catenin pathways.