Traditional Chinese Medicine Compound Prescription Research Articles

Study on the mechanism of Shugan Lidan Xiaoshi granule in preventing acute pancreatitis based on network pharmacology and molecular docking

BackgroundShugan Lidan Xiaoshi granules (SLXG) is a herbal granule formulation developed by extensively modifying multiple traditional Chinese medicine compound prescriptions known for their ability to dissolve stones. It is primarily used for the prevention and treatment of cholelithiasis and possesses significant therapeutic potential in both preventing and treating acute pancreatitis. However, the preventive effects of SLXG on cholelithiasis-related complications, such as acute pancreatitis (AP), have been inadequately researched. MethodsTCMSP database was searched to identify the active components and targets of SLXG's action. The disease gene databases (GeneCards, OMMI, PharmGKB, DrugBank) were used to retrieve the targets associated with AP. A TCM ingredient target network was then constructed by using the intersection of these two datasets. The overlapping targets underwent network analyses, including Gene Ontology (GO), Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG)and Protein-Protein Interaction (PPI) analyses. Molecular docking was performed to examine the interaction patterns between the active ingredients and central targets. ResultsA “Traditional Chinese Medicine-Component-Target” complex network consisting of 10 traditional Chinese medicines, 114 compounds, and 164 targets was constructed. GO and KEGG analysis showed that SLXG has the potential to regulate the response of oxygen-containing compounds, apoptosis, and inflammatory factors. Nine central genes were identified by the PPI network and subnetwork. IL6 was chosen as the most significant gene for molecular docking. The three active compounds of SLXG: quercetin, luteolin, and paeoniflorin, along with the active site of IL6 have a good binding ability and thus play a preventive role in AP. ConclusionThis study provides evidence of the effective preventive role of SLXG against AP, as indicated by bioinformatics analysis. The preventive effect of SLXG is attributed to its multi-component, multi-target, and multi-pathway mechanisms. This finding provides a solid foundation for future research on the clinical application and mechanism of action of drugs.

Experimental research progress in traditional Chinese medicine prevention and treatment of diabetic peripheral neuropathy based on autophagy

Diabetic peripheral neuropathy(DPN) is a chronic complication resulted from peripheral nerve injury in the late stage of diabetes. It involves a variety of pathological changes such as oxidative stress, endoplasmic reticulum stress, neuroinflammation, and apoptosis of Schwann cells(SCs). DPN is the main factor leading to lower limb disability or amputation in diabetic patients, with high incidence, long disease course, and poor prognosis. The modern medicine treatment of DPN mainly focuses on controlling blood glucose and improving microcirculation and nerve nutrition, which can only mitigate the clinical symptoms and not fundamentally reverse the pathological changes of peripheral nerves. Autophagy is a self-clearing mechanism that maintains cellular homeostasis by removing excess metabolites. Traditional Chinese medicine(TCM), featuring the holistic concept and syndrome differentiation, can treat chronic diseases in a multi-target, multi-pathway, and wide-range manner. Modern studies have shown that the occurrence and development of DPN are related to a variety of pathological changes, and autophagy is a key mechanism associated with DPN. The environment with persistent high glucose can lead to the inhibition or over-activation of peripheral nerve cells, which causes irreversible damage of nerve cells and the occurrence and development of DPN. Therefore, restoring autophagy balance and reducing nerve damage is one of the key ways to treat DPN. The recent studies have confirmed that some active ingredients in traditional Chinese medicines and TCM compound prescriptions can inhibit the oxidative stress, endoplasmic reticulum stress, mitochondrial damage, inflammation, and apoptosis of SCs in DPN by regulating the autophagy pathway, thus playing a role in the prevention and treatment of DPN. However, the systematic induction in this field remains to be carried out. This paper reviewed the relevant literature, explained the mechanism of TCM in the prevention and treatment of DPN by regulating autophagy, and summarized the potential targets of TCM in the treatment of DPN, with a view to providing new ideas for clinical research and drug development.

Manufacturing classification system for oral solid dosage forms of traditional Chinese medicines(Ⅲ): classification of granule dissolving behaviors

Solubility is an important sensory quality attribute of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) granules. In this paper, 90 batches of granules(30 batches of TCM formula granules, 30 batches of Chinese patent medicine granules and 30 batches of Japanese Kampo granules) were used as the research objects. The turbidity sensor was used to characterize the turbidity curve of the granule dissolution process. The classification system of granule dissolution behaviors was constructed from three dimensions: dissolution degree, equilibrium time, and dissolution mechanism. According to the equilibrium time, the granule dissolution rates were divided into three categories : faster(<100 s), general(101-300 s) and slow(>301 s). According to the turbidity curve profile, the granule dissolution mechanisms were classified into dissolution-controlled type(α-type), dispersion-controlled type(β-type), and dispersion-controlled type followed by dissolution-controlled type(γ-type). The proportion of TCM formula granules, Chinese patent medicine granules and Japanese Kampo granules with complete dissolution or slight turbidity at the end of dissolution was 46.7%, 96.7%, and 10.0%. The proportion of TCM formula granules, Chinese patent medicine granules, and Japanese Kampo granules with faster dissolution rates(<100 s) was 23.3%, 26.7%, and 40.0%. The average dissolution rate of Japanese Kampo granules was faster than that of TCM formula granules, and it was slightly faster than the average dissolution rate of Chinese patent medicine granules. The dissolution mechanism of Chinese patent medicine granules was mainly α-type, while that of Japanese Kampo granules was mainly β-type, and the three types of dissolution mechanisms of TCM formula granules accounted for a relatively average. The purpose of improving the solubility and dispersion of granules can be achieved by combining the comprehensive application of various functional excipients with the small dosage of Japanese Kampo granules and the wide addition scope of excipients. In the process of transforming TCM compound prescriptions into formulas, there is still much room for innovation in formula excipients and process optimization.

Role of TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway in diabetic kidney disease and research progress of traditional Chinese medicine intervention

Diabetic kidney disease is an important microvascular complication of diabetes and the leading cause of end-stage renal disease. Its pathological characteristics mainly include epithelial mesenchymal transition(EMT) in glomerulus, podocyte apoptosis and autophagy, and damage of glomerular filtration barrier. Transforming growth factor-β(TGF-β)/Smad signaling pathway is specifically regulated by a variety of mechanisms, and is a classic pathway involved in physiological activities such as apoptosis, proliferation and differentiation. At present, many studies have found that TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway plays a key role in the pathogenesis of diabetic kidney disease. Traditional Chinese medicine has significant advantages in the treatment of diabetic kidney disease for its multi-component, multi-target and multi-pathway characteristics, and some traditional Chinese medicine extracts, traditional Chinese medicines and traditional Chinese medicine compound prescription improve the renal injury of diabetic kidney disease by regulating TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway. This study clarified the mechanism of TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway in diabetic kidney disease by expounding the relationship between the key targets of the pathway and diabetic kidney disease, and summarized the research progress of traditional Chinese medicine in the treatment of diabetic kidney disease by interfering with TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway in recent years, to provide reference for drug research and clinical treatment of diabetic kidney disease in the future.

Mechanisms by which kidney-tonifying Chinese herbs inhibit osteoclastogenesis: Emphasis on immune cells.

The immune system plays a crucial role in regulating osteoclast formation and function and has significance for the occurrence and development of immune-mediated bone diseases. Kidney-tonifying Chinese herbs, based on the theory of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) to unify the kidney and strengthen the bone, have been widely used in the prevention and treatment of bone diseases. The common botanical drugs are tonifying kidney-yang and nourishing kidney-yin herbs, which are divided into two parts: one is the compound prescription of TCM, and the other is the single preparation of TCM and its active ingredients. These botanical drugs regulate osteoclastogenesis directly and indirectly by immune cells, however, we have limited information on the differences between the two botanical drugs in osteoimmunology. In this review, the mechanism by which kidney-tonifying Chinese herbs inhibiting osteoclastogenesis was investigated, emphasizing the immune response. The differences in the mechanism of action between tonifying kidney-yang herbs and nourishing kidney-yin herbs were analysed, and the therapeutic value for immune-mediated bone diseases was evaluated.

Value and influencing factors of valid Traditional Chinese Medicine compound prescription patents for mammary gland hyperplasia.

To explore the value and factors influencing the maintenance of valid Traditional Chinese Medicine compound prescription patents for the management of mammary gland hyperplasia. The State Intellectual Property Office Patents Database, China Patent Information Center Patents Database, Soopat Patent Search Platform, and CNIPR Search Platform of Chinese and Foreign Patent Database were searched to identify Traditional Chinese Medicine compound prescription patents for mammary gland hyperplasia that had been maintained for at least 5 years. Logistic regression analysis was used to detect the factors influencing the maintenance of valid patents. From 1 January 1993 to 31 December 2019, a total of 1228, Traditional Chinese Medicine compound prescription patents for mammary gland hyperplasia were authorized. Of these applications, 381 patents were granted and only 176 patents were maintained for more than 5 years. The five independent variables assessed in this study all had significant explanatory functions. The maintenance of valid patents for Traditional Chinese Medicine compound prescriptions for treating mammary gland hyperplasia is of great importance. The maintenance of such patents depends on many factors, such as the concentration of effective herbs, number of dependent claims, provision of new dosage forms and detailed experimental data, and transfer of patent rights.

Study on the Active Constituents and Molecular Mechanism of Zhishi Xiebai Guizhi Decoction in the Treatment of CHD Based on UPLC-UESI-Q Exactive Focus, Gene Expression Profiling, Network Pharmacology, and Experimental Validation.

As one of the most common clinical cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), coronary heart disease (CHD) is the most common cause of death in the world. It has been confirmed that Zhishi Xiebai Guizhi decoction (ZXGD), a classical prescription of the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), has achieved certain effects in the treatment of CHD; however, the mechanism still remains controversial. In this paper, an integrated approach, including UPLC-UESI-Q Exactive Focus, gene expression profiling, network pharmacology, and experimental validation, was introduced to systematically investigate the mechanism of ZXGD in the treatment of CHD. First, UPLC-UESI-Q Exactive Focus was applied to identify the chemical compounds of ZXGD. Then, the targets of the components for ZXGD were predicted by MedChem Studio software embed in the integrative pharmacology-based research platform of TCM, and the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) of CHD were obtained by gene expression profiling in gene expression omnibus database. The common genes of the above two genes were obtained by Venn analysis as the targets of GXGD in treatment with CHD. Third, the core targets were screened out by protein–protein interaction network analysis, and the kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes pathway enrichment analysis was performed by the database for annotation, visualization, and integrated discovery bioinformatics resources. After that, the formula–herb–compound–target–pathway network was constructed to explore the mechanism of ZXGD in the treatment of CHD. Finally, molecular docking and the vitro experiment were carried out to validate some key targets. As a result, a total of 39 compounds, 12 core targets, and 4 pathways contributed to ZXGD for the treatment of CHD. This study preliminarily provided a foundation for the study on the mechanism against CHD for ZXGD and may be a reference for the compatibility mechanism and the extended application of TCM compound prescription.

Mechanism of Sanhua Decoction in the Treatment of Ischemic Stroke Based on Network Pharmacology Methods and Experimental Verification.

Objective The mechanism of action of Sanhua Decoction (SHD) in the treatment of ischemic stroke (IS) was analyzed based on the network pharmacology technology, and the pharmacodynamics and key targets were verified using the rat middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) model. Methods The GEO database was used to collect IS-related gene set SD, and DrugBank and TTD databases were used to obtain the therapeutic drug target set ST. IS disease gene set SI was collected from DisGeNET, GeneCards, and OMIM databases. These three different gene sets obtained from various sources were merged, duplicates were removed, and the resulting IS disease gene set SIS was imported into the STRING database to establish the protein-protein interaction (PPI) network. Two methods were used to screen the key targets of IS disease based on the PPI network analysis. The TCMSP database and PubChem were applied to retrieve the main chemical components of SHD, and the ACD/Labs software and the SwissADME online system were utilized for ADMET screening. HitPick, SEA, and SwissTarget Prediction online systems were used to predict the set of potential targets for SHD to treat IS. The predicted set of potential targets and the IS disease gene set were intersected. Subsequently, the set of potential targets for SHD treatment of IS was identified, the target information was confirmed through the UniProt database, and finally, the component-target data set for SHD treatment of IS was obtained. clusterProfiler was used for GO function annotation and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis on the target set of SHD active ingredients. A rat MCAO model was established to evaluate the pharmacodynamics of SHD in the treatment of IS, and Western blot analysis assessed the level of proteins in the related pathways. Results This study obtained 1,009 IS disease gene sets. PPI network analysis identified 12 key targets: AGT, SAA1, KNG1, APP, GNB3, C3, CXCR4, CXCL12, CXCL8, CXCL1, F2, and EDN1. Database analyses retrieved 40 active ingredients and 47 target genes in SHD. The network proximity algorithm was used to optimize the six key components in SHD. KEGG enrichment showed that the signaling pathways related to IS were endocrine resistance, estrogen, TNF signal pathway, and AGEs/RAGE. Compound-disease-target regulatory network analysis showed that AKT1, IL-6, TNF-α, TP53, VEGFA, and APP were related to the treatment of IS with SHD. Animal experiments demonstrated that SHD significantly reduces the neurological function of rat defect symptoms (P < 0.05), the area of cerebral avascular necrosis, and neuronal necrosis while increasing the levels of IL-6 and APP proteins (P < 0.05) and reducing the levels of AKT1 and VEGFA proteins (P < 0.05). Conclusion The effective components of SHD may regulate multiple signaling pathways through IL-6, APP, AKT1, and VEGFA to reduce brain damage and inflammatory damage and exert a neuroprotective role in the treatment of IS diseases. Thus, this study provides a feasible method to study the pharmacological mechanism of traditional Chinese medicine compound prescriptions and a theoretical basis for the development of SHD into a new drug for IS treatment.

Combination of UPLC-Q-TOF/MS and Network Pharmacology to Reveal the Mechanism of Qizhen Decoction in the Treatment of Colon Cancer.

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has been utilized for the treatment of colon cancer. Qizhen decoction (QZD), a potential compound prescription of TCM, possesses multiple biological activities. It has been proven clinically effective in the treatment of colon cancer. However, the molecular mechanism of anticolon cancer activity is still not clear. This study aimed to identify the chemical composition of QZD. Furthermore, a collaborative analysis strategy of network pharmacology and cell biology was used to further explore the critical signaling pathway of QZD anticancer activity. First, ultraperformance liquid chromatography–quadrupole time-of-flight/mass spectrometry (UPLC–Q-TOF/MS) was performed to identify the chemical composition of QZD. Then, the chemical composition database of QZD was constructed based on a systematic literature search and review of chemical constituents. Moreover, the common and indirect targets of chemical components of QZD and colon cancer were searched by multiple databases. A protein–protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed using the String database (https://www.string-db.org/). All of the targets were analyzed by Gene Oncology (GO) bioanalysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis, and the visual network topology diagram of “Prescription–TCM–Chemical composition–Direct target–Indirect target–Pathway” was constructed by Cytoscape software (v3.7.1). The top molecular pathway ranked by statistical significance was further verified by molecular biology methods. The results of UPLC–Q-TOF/MS showed that QZD had 111 kinds of chemical components, of which 103 were unique components and 8 were common components. Ten pivotal targets of QZD in the treatment of colon cancer were screened by the PPI network. Targets of QZD involve many biological processes, such as the signaling pathway, immune system, gene expression, and so on. QZD may interfere with biological pathways such as cell replication, oxygen-containing compounds, or organic matter by protein binding, regulation of signal receptors or enzyme binding, and affect cytoplasm and membrane-bound organelles. The main antitumor core pathways were the apoptosis metabolic pathway, the PI3K–Akt signal pathway, and so on. Expression of the PI3K–Akt signal pathway was significantly downregulated after the intervention of QZD, which was closely related to the inhibition of proliferation and migration of colon cancer cells by cell biology methods. The present work may facilitate a better understanding of the effective components, therapeutic targets, biological processes, and signaling pathways of QZD in the treatment of colon cancer and provide useful information about the utilization of QZD.

Simultaneous determination of six main components in Bushen Huoxue prescription by HPLC-CAD

BackgroundThe Bushen Huoxue prescription is a traditional Chinese medicine formula treating diabetic retinopathy, which was developed by our research group. Catalpol, puerarin, salvianolic acid B, ginsenoside Rg1, ginsenoside Rb1 and ginsenoside Rd are six of main effective components, which could be partly representative of this prescription. The corona charged aerosol detector (corona CAD) is one kind of universal detectors equipped with the high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The CAD has many advantages for the analysis of complex mixtures, but too few applications in traditional Chinese medicine compounds. ObjectiveThe aims of this study are to establish a method for the determination of six components in Bushen Huoxue prescription, and to increase the use of the CAD in traditional Chinese medicine compounds. MethodsHPLC-CAD analysis was performed on an Inertsil ODS-SP (4.6 mm × 250 mm, 5 μm) with a mobile phase consisting of 0.5 % formic acid solution(A)-acetonitrile(B) at a flow rate of 1 mL/min (0−7 min, 1 % B; 7−12 min, 1 %–12 % B; 12−22 min, 12 %–19 % B; 22-40 min, 19 %–28 % B; 40−43 min, 28 %–33 % B; 43−50 min, 33 % B; 50−65 min, 33 %–42 % B). The column temperature maintained at 30 ℃, the injection volume was 20 μL, the atomization temperature mode was LOW, the filtration constant (filter) was 3.6 and data collection rate was 10 Hz. The methodology was examined and the linearity of regression of different functions was compared. Sixteen batches of samples were prepared and their contents were determined. ResultsThe six compounds showed a better linearity (R2 > 0.9990) in their concentration ranges when using the linear function. The average recoveries were 99.18 %–101.30 %. Although the RSD value of puerarin and ginsenoside Rg1 was slightly out of 3 % during the average recovery investigation, all the other methodological investigations of the six components were within 3 %. The precision, stability and repeatability of the method were good. In sixteen batches of Bushen Huoxue prescription samples, the contents of six components were 0.3138 %–0.6042 % for catalpol, 0.8095 %–1.2917 % for puerarin, 0.7416 %–1.1189 % for salvianolic acid B, 0.0231 %–0.0418 % for ginsenoside Rg1, 0.0702 %–0.1724 % for ginsenoside Rb1, 0.0384 %–0.1196 % for ginsenoside Rd. ConclusionIn this experiment, a method for the determination of six components in Bushen Huoxue prescription based on HPLC-CAD was established with high accuracy, good repeatability and simple operation, and it can provide references for the improvement of quality standard of the Bushen Huoxue prescription. It is reasonable and accessible for the CAD application in the determination of traditional Chinese medicine compound prescriptions.

Approaching High-Accuracy Side Effect Prediction of Traditional Chinese Medicine Compound Prescription Using Network Embedding and Deep Learning

In this paper, we realize high-accuracy side-effect prediction of Traditional Chinese Medicine Compound Prescription by introducing network embedding and deep learning. A random walk network that could efficiently interpret the information in the prescription is established from a conventional Bag-of-Word network. After the validation of this random walk network, the highest prediction accuracy reaches 0.908 where a simple five-layer artificial neural network is implemented, rendering this method is promising for Traditional Chinese Medicine side-effect prediction and other medicines with a similar structure such as the compound drugs.

Effect of Qiwei Baizhu Powder on the Intestinal Flora of the Splenoasthenic Diarrhea Mice

To explore the effect of Qiwei Baizhu Powder on the intestinal flora of splenoasthenic diarrhea mice and its mechanism. The splenoasthenic diarrhea mouse model established by different modeling methods (antibiotics and traditional Chinese medicine compound prescription) was used as the experimental group, and a blank control group was set up at the same time. Qiwei Baizhu Powder was used to treat the splenoasthenic diarrhea model mice. The splenoasthenic diarrhea mouse model established by taking Dachenqi Tang (Traditional Chinese medicine Group) had the most severe splenoasthenic diarrhea and poor mental state, while without significant effect on intestinal flora (p>0.05). The splenoasthenic diarrhea mouse model constructed by gentamicin sulfate and cefradine (Antibiotic combination group) had the best effect. The results of the antimicrobial spectrum showed that the gentamicin sulfate and cefradine could form the maximum complementary effect and the effect was long-lasting. After the intragastric administration of Qiwei Baizhu Powder, the mice in the Traditional Chinese medicine Group were quickly cured and the syndrome of splenoasthenic diarrhea disappeared. The number of intestinal lactic acid bacteria and fungi in the antibiotic combination group was significantly higher than that in the normal group (p<0.01). In Qiwei Baizhu Powder, there are probiotics that promote the growth of lactic acid bacteria and fungi, which can cure the imbalance of intestinal flora.

Chinese medicine Xiaoshui decoction inhibits malignant pleural effusion in mice and mediates tumor-associated macrophage polarization by activating autophagy.

Xiaoshui decoction (XSD) is a traditional Chinese medicine compound prescription that has been shown to reinforce the spleen and remove the fluid retention, while being widely used in the treatment of malignant pleural effusion (MPE). We previously reported that XSD alleviates symptoms and improves the quality of life in patients with MPE; however, the mechanism employed by XSD on MPE has not yet been elucidated. To investigate the role and mechanism of XSD in inhibiting the development of MPE, and in regulating macrophage polarization in vitro and in vivo. A murine MPE model was used to study the effect of XSD on MPE. Mice with MPE were randomly allocated to a control group and XSD-low-dose (1.144g/mL), XSD-middle-dose (2.288g/mL), XSD-high-dose (4.576g/mL), or cisplatin groups. RAW264.7cells were induced to form tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) as well as M1 and M2 macrophages using different conditioned media in vitro. XSD effectively inhibited MPE formation, reduced pleural permeability and angiogenesis, and prolonged mice survival. Particularly, XSD treatment induced the polarization of TAMs to the M1 phenotype in MPE. Moreover, in-vitro XSD remarkably promoted the expansion of M1 macrophages and reduced M2 macrophages by enhancing autophagy. XSD inhibits MPE development and regulates macrophage polarization by activating autophagy, indicating that XSD may serve as a novel option for integrative MPE therapies.

Pathomechanisms of pericyte-myofibroblast transition in kidney and interventional effects of Chinese herbal medicine

In the kidney, pericyte is the major source of myofibroblast (MyoF) in renal interstitium. It is reported that pericyte-myofibroblast transition（PMT）is one of the important pathomechanisms of renal interstitial fibrosis（RIF）. Among them, the main reasons for promoting RIF formation include pericyte recruitment, activation and isolation, as well as the lack of pericyte-derived erythropoietin. During the PMT startup process, pericyte activation and its separation from microvessels are controlled by multiple signal transduction pathways, such as transforming growth factor-β（TGF-β）pathway, vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR) pathway and platelet derived growth factor receptor (PDGFR) pathway;Blocking of these signaling pathways can not only inhibit PMT, but also suppress renal capillaries reduction and further alleviate RIF. In clinic, many traditional Chinese medicine compound prescriptions, single traditional Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) and their extracts have the clear effects in alleviating RIF, and some of their intervention actions may be related to pericyte and its PMT. Therefore, the studies on PMT and its drug intervention will become the main development direction in the research field of anti-organ fibrosis by CHM.

Dan-Lou Prescription Inhibits Foam Cell Formation Induced by ox-LDL via the TLR4/NF-κB and PPARγ Signaling Pathways.

Atherosclerosis is the major worldwide cause of mortality for patients with coronary heart disease. Many traditional Chinese medicine compound prescriptions for atherosclerosis treatment have been tried in patients. Dan-Lou prescription, which is improved from Gualou-Xiebai-Banxia decoction, has been used to treat chest discomfort (coronary atherosclerosis) for approximately 2,000 years in China. Although the anti-inflammatory activities of Dan-Lou prescription have been proposed previously, the mechanism remains to be explored. Based on the interaction between inflammation and atherosclerosis, we further investigated the effect of Dan-Lou prescription on macrophage-derived foam cell formation and disclosed the underlying mechanisms. In the oxidative low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) induced foam cells model using murine macrophage RAW 264.7 cells, the ethanol extract from Dan-Lou prescription (EEDL) reduced ox-LDL uptake and lipid deposition by inhibiting the protein and mRNA expression of Toll-like receptor (TLR)4 and scavenger receptor (SR)B1. After stimulation with ox-LDL, the metabolic profile of macrophages was also changed, while the intervention of the EEDL mainly regulated the metabolism of isovalerylcarnitine, arachidonic acid, cholesterol, aspartic acid, arginine, lysine, L-glutamine and phosphatidylethanolamine (36:3), which participated in the regulation of the inflammatory response, lipid accumulation and cell apoptosis. In total, 27 inflammation-related gene targets were screened, and the biological mechanisms, pathways and biological functions of the EEDL on macrophage-derived foam cells were systemically analyzed by Ingenuity Pathway Analysis system (IPA). After verification, we found that EEDL alleviated ox-LDL induced macrophage foam cell formation by antagonizing the mRNA and protein over-expression of PPARγ, blocking the phosphorylation of IKKα/β, IκBα and NF-κB p65 and maintaining the expression balance between Bax and Bcl-2. In conclusion, we provided evidences that Dan-Lou prescription effectively attenuated macrophage foam cell formation via the TLR4/NF-κB and PPARγ signaling pathways.

Chinese medicine preparation supramolecular imprinting templates based on in vitro release characteristics of BYHW sustained-release tablet

The study focused on the in vitro release of Buyanghuanwu (BYHW) elementary osmotic pump sustained release tablets. Its band similarity was calculated by the total quantum statistical moment. Meanwhile, in vitro release characteristics were analyzed to discuss the existence of supramolecular imprinting templates. The results show that the same imprint templates may exist in different structures of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)'s multi-components. The BYHW sustained release tablets prepared by elementary osmotic pump can meet the objectives of "overall control, synchronous release". However, the supramolecular imprinting templates in TCM compound prescriptions should be further explored, the overall and synchronous release of different components was controlled through imprinting templates, so as to seek the more suitable sustained release preparation technology for multiple components of TCM, and make it in line with the characteristics of TCM.

Effect of Wujia Shenghua capsule on uterine bleeding following medically-induced incomplete abortion in rats during early pregnancy.

The Wujia Shenghua capsule (WSC) is derived from Sheng-Hua-Tang, a well-known traditional Chinese medicine compound prescription that has been widely applied during the postpartum period in Chinese communities for a number of years. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of WSC on uterine bleeding following medically-induced incomplete abortion in rats during early pregnancy. Incomplete abortions were induced in Wistar rats during early pregnancy using mifepristone combined with misoprostol. The effects of WSC treatment were investigated in terms of the duration and volume of uterine bleeding, the uterine index and shape, and various hemodynamic indexes. In addition, blood samples were collected to measure the levels of estradiol (E2), fibronectin (FN) and laminin (LM) via a radioimmunoassay or enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, while the expression levels of FN, estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) in the uterine tissues were determined by immunohistochemistry. The in vivo results demonstrated that WSC treatment markedly shortened the duration and reduced the volume of uterine bleeding when compared with the model group. Furthermore, WSC treatment significantly elevated the E2 level in the serum and the expression of the ER and PR in the uterine tissues, while notably decreasing the FN and LM levels in the serum and uterine tissues. In addition, the hemodynamic indexes were shown to improve with WSC treatment. These results demonstrated that WSC exerted an inhibitory effect on the bleeding caused by medical abortion, possibly through modulating the E2, ER, PR, FN and LM levels.

Alleviating effects of Bushen-Yizhi formula on ibotenic acid-induced cholinergic impairments in rat.

This study explored the curative effect and underlying mechanisms of a traditional Chinese medicine compound prescription, Bushen-Yizhi formula (BSYZ), in ibotenic acid (IBO)-induced rats. Morris water maze and novel object recognition tests showed that BSYZ significantly improved spatial and object memory. Brain immunohistochemistry staining showed that BSYZ significantly up-regulated expression of choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) and nerve growth factor (NGF) in the hippocampus and cortex. The protein tyrosine kinase high-affinity receptor TrkA was slightly increased in the hippocampus and cortex, and significantly enhanced in the nucleus basalis of Meynert (NBM) after BSYZ intervention. The immunoreactivity of the p75 low-affinity receptor in BSYZ-treated rats was significantly strengthened in the cortex. Similar expression trends of nerve growth factor (NGF), TrkA, and p75 mRNA were observed in the hippocampus and cortex. Additionally, BSYZ reversed IBO-induced disorders of acetylcholine (ACh) levels, ChAT, and cholinesterase (ChE) in the cortex, which was consistent with the changes in mRNA levels of ChAT and acetylcholinesterase (AChE). Expression of ChAT and AChE proteins and mRNA in the hippocampus was up-regulated, whereas the apoptosis-relative protein cleaved caspase-3 was decreased after administration of BSYZ. Moreover, changes in cell death were confirmed by histological morphology. Thus, the results indicated that the BSYZ formula could ameliorate memory impairments in IBO-induced rats, and it exerted its therapeutic action probably by modulating cholinergic pathways, NGF signaling, and anti-apoptosis. Overall, it is suggested that the BSYZ formula might be a potential therapeutic approach for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and other cholinergic impairment-related diseases.

Study on multi-target optimization of prescription dose of Mahuang decoction

To optimize the prescription dose of Mahuang decoction in a multi-target manner, in order to provide reference for the quantitative optimization of the prescription dose of the traditional Chinese medicine compound. The number of diaphoretic spots in rats, the tracheal antispasmodic rate in guinea pigs and the writhing times by acetic acid in mice were taken as the indexes for evaluating the diaphoretic, antispasmodic and analgesic effects. According to the experimental results of the 16 orthogonal combination prescriptions, a mathematical dose-effect model was built by support vector regression (SVR) and quadratic response surface regression (RSR) respectively. The multi-target optimization was achieved by elitist non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm (NSGA-II) and entropy weight TOPSIS method. The optimal dose of Mahuang decoction after being optimized by SVR modeling contained 17.71 g of Ephedrae Herba, 9.57 g of Cinnamomi Ramulus, 11.75 g of Armeniacae Semen Amarum and 4.39 g of Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma Praeparata Cum Melle. The optimized result by RSR modeling contained 13.37 g of Ephedrae Herba, 11.61 g of Cinnamomi Ramulus, 11.98 g of Armeniacae Semen Amarum and 5.67 g of Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma Praeparate Cum Melle. SVR was superior to RSR in both of the forecast capacity and optimization results. SVR-NSGA-II-TOPSIS method could be adopted for the multi-target optimization for the dose of Mahuang decoction and other traditional Chinese medicine compounds. It is proved to be the optimal prescription with the best efficacy, and could provide scientific quantitative basis for determining the dose of traditional Chinese medicine compound prescriptions and developing new traditional Chinese medicines.

Regulatory mechanism of p38MAPK signaling pathway on renal tissue inflammation in chronic kidney disease and interventional effect of traditional Chinese medicine

In chronic kidney disease (CKD), inflammatory responses during the progression of renal tissue and tissue injury related causes its progression to end-state renal disease. Among them, nuclear factor (nuclear factor, NF)-kappaB signaling pathway by regulating the corresponding nuclear expression of target gene transcription, as well as affecting the synthesis of inflammatory mediators, induction of inflammation lead to kidney damage and renal fibrosis. Some single herbs and their extracts (such as Astragali Radix, Scutellariae Radix, Ginkgo Folium) and some traditional Chinese medicine (such as Danggui Buxue decoction, Qilian decoction) can reduce the inflammatory damage induced by renal tissue NF-kappaB signaling pathway and delay the progression of CKD.