Radix Praeparata Research Articles

Investigation of anti-osteoporosis mechanisms of Rehmanniae Radix Preparata based on network pharmacology and experimental verification

BackgroundRehmanniae Radix Preparata (RRP) can effectively improve the symptoms of osteoporosis, but its molecular mechanism for treating osteoporosis is still unclear. The objective of this study is to investigate the anti-osteoporosis mechanisms of RRP through network pharmacology.MethodsThe overlapping targets of RRP and osteoporosis were screened out using online platforms. A visual network diagram of PPI was constructed and analyzed by Cytoscape 3.7.2 software. Molecular docking was used to evaluate the binding activity of ligands and receptors, and some key genes were verified through pharmacological experiments.ResultsAccording to topological analysis results, AKT1, MAPK1, ESR1, and SRC are critical genes for RRP to treat osteoporosis, and they have high binding activity with stigmasterol and sitosterol. The main signal pathways of RRP in the treatment of osteoporosis, including the estrogen signaling pathway, HIF-1 signal pathway, MAPK signal pathway, PI3K-Akt signal pathway. Results of animal experiments showed that RRP could significantly increase the expression levels of Akt1, MAPK1, ESR1, and SRC1 mRNA in bone tissue to increase bone density.ConclusionThis study explained the coordination between multiple components and multiple targets of RRP in the treatment of osteoporosis and provided new ideas for its clinical application and experimental research.

The synergic renoprotective effect of Rehmanniae Radix Preparata and Corni Fructus on adenine-induced chronic kidney disease rats based on integrated plasma metabolomics and network pharmacology approach

AimsRehmanniae Radix Preparata (RR) and Corni Fructus (CF) are commonly used together for the treatment of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in the clinical practices for thousands of years. However, little information on their synergy mechanism is available. Main methodsIn this study, an integrated approach combining ultra performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF/MS)-based metabonomics and network pharmacology was adopted to elucidate the cooperation mechanism of RR and CF on the amelioration of CKD. Furthermore, the targets from network pharmacology and metabolism pathways were jointly analyzed. Finally, the activities of key metabolic enzymes were experimentally validated by ELISA. Key findingsMetabolic profiling indicated that the metabolic disturbance in plasma was markedly alleviated after treatment. Nine putative biomarkers mainly involving in phenylalanine, tyrosine and tryptophan biosynthesis and tyrosine metabolism were identified. Moreover, the compound-target-pathway network of RR and CF for CKD treatment was constructed by network pharmacology, which was related to tyrosine metabolism and arginine and proline metabolism. The results were partly consistent with the findings of plasma metabolomics. SignificanceIn conclusion, this study solidly supported and enhanced current understanding of the synergy effects of RR and CF on CKD. Meanwhile, it also confirmed the feasibility of combining metabolomics and network pharmacology to identify active components and elucidate the pharmacological effects of traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs).

선진(先秦)과 한대(漢代) 방제서에서의 오두(烏頭)류 약대 연구

선진(先秦)과 한대(漢代) 방제서에서의 오두(烏頭)류 약대 연구

Usage of Medicinal Moxibustion for the improvement of Moxibustion Treatment Procedure

Objectives: To provide theoretical basis for the classification of medicinal moxibustion(藥灸劑) in Health Insurance Medical Benefit in Korea through investigating trend of judicial precedents on indirect moxibustion and usage of medicinal moxibustion in 󰡔Donguibogam󰡕. Methods: We analyzed statistical data of moxibustion from Health Insurance Review & Assessment Service and National Health Insurance Statistical Yearbook. We investigated major judicial precedents on indirect moxibustion to find out some trend and we searched the usages of medicinal moxibustion in 󰡔ZhenJiuDaCheng󰡕 and 󰡔Donguibogam󰡕. Results: According to recent judicial precedents, indirect moxibustion with equipment is no loner regarded as Korean Medical Procedure. In composition of ‘Oriental Health Treatment’, amount for acupuncture has gradually decreased instead, amount for moxibustion has increased steadily for 5 years. Medicinal moxibustion(藥灸劑) is often used as a form of indirect medicinal moxibustion with moxa in 󰡔Donguibogam󰡕. Argyi Folium, Moschus, Natrii Chloridium, Radix Preparata, Realgar and Olibanum are most frequently used for medicinal moxibustion in 󰡔Donguibogam󰡕. Medicinal moxibustions are composed of simple prescription or herb-pair or multiple prescription in 󰡔Donguibogam󰡕. Conclusions: In Health Insurance Medical Benefit in Korea, under the division of moxibustion, direct medicinal moxibustion and indirect medicinal moxibustion should be classified in addition.