Efficacy of Juanbi capsule on ameliorating knee osteoarthritis:a network pharmacology and experimental verification-based study

Background:The purpose of the study was to investigate the active ingredients and potential biochemical mechanisms of Juanbi capsule in knee osteoarthritis based on network pharmacology,molecular docking and animal experiments.Methods:Chemical components for each drug in the Juanbi capsule were obtained from Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform,while the target proteins for knee osteoarthritis were retrieved from the Drugbank,GeneCards,and OMIM databases.The study compared information on knee osteoarthritis and the targets of drugs to identify common elements.The data was imported into the STRING platform to generate a protein-protein interaction network diagram.Subsequently,a“component-target”network diagram was created using the screened drug components and target information with Cytoscape software.Common targets were imported into Metascape for GO function and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis.AutoDockTools was utilized to predict the molecular docking of the primary chemical components and core targets.Ultimately,the key targets were validated through animal experiments.Results:Juanbi capsule ameliorated Knee osteoarthritis mainly by affecting tumor necrosis factor,interleukin1β,MMP9,PTGS2,VEGFA,TP53,and other cytokines through quercetin,kaempferol,andβ-sitosterol.The drug also influenced the AGE-RAGE,interleukin-17,tumor necrosis factor,Relaxin,and NF-κB signaling pathways.The network pharmacology analysis results were further validated in animal experiments.The results indicated that Juanbi capsule could decrease the levels of tumor necrosis factor-αand interleukin-1βin the serum and synovial fluid of knee osteoarthritis rats and also down-regulate the expression levels of MMP9 and PTGS2 proteins in the articular cartilage.Conclusion:Juanbi capsule may improve the knee bone microstructure and reduce the expression of inflammatory factors of knee osteoarthritis via multiple targets and multiple signaling pathways.

Study on compound Duzhong Jiangu granule in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis based on transcriptome analysis strategy

Duzhong Jiangu Granule in the treatment of primary osteoarthritis(POA)model of postmenopausal kidney deficiency type in Hartley female guinea pigs after ovariectomy,and the correlation between gene expression of bone marrow tissue,cartilage tissue,and knee osteoarthritis.Methods:383-months-old Hartley female guinea pigs after one week of adaptive feeding were weighed about 400 g±20 g,numbered,and sorted by ear tag.Six of them were selected as normal groups by looking up random number tables.The remainder were removed from the bilateral ovaries to construct the postmenopausal kidney deficiency model,and castrated guinea pigs were used to construct the postmenopausal kidney deficiency POA model.After the modeling cycle,a guinea pig from the blank group and a guinea pig from the model group were sacrificed and the right knee was observed.The model was established and the experiments continued.There were five guinea pigs in the blank group,and the remaining model guinea pigs were randomly divided into model control group,high-dose group of compound Duzhong Jiangu granules,middle-dose group of compound Duzhong Jiangu granules,low-dose group of compound Duzhong Jiangu granules and design group,with 5 guinea pigs in each group.Blanks and model groups were given a cellulose sodium solution by gavage.The guinea pigs were sacrificed after 30 days of intragastric administration.The left knee cartilage and bone marrow of the blank group,model group,middle dose group,and high dose group of compound Duzhong Jiangu granule were collected and applied to transcriptome sequencing,and the sequencing data were analyzed,including differential gene expression analysis,functional enrichment analysis of database established by Gene Ontology federation(GO)and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Gene and Genome(KEGG)pathway enrichment analysis.The complete specimens of the right knee joint were collected,and the morphological changes of the cartilage of the right knee joint in each group were observed by saffron rapid green staining,and the subchondral bone was quantitatively analyzed by Micro CT so that the expression of TRAF6,MIP-1βand IL-1βprotein in NF-kappa B signaling pathway was detected by Western Blot technique(WB).Results:The results of Safranin Fast Green staining showed that Compound Duzhong Jiangu Granules could effectively reduce the degree of morphological damage of articular cartilage in guinea pigs with the POA model.According to the analysis results of the subchondral bone structure under Micro CT,Compound Duzhong Jiangu Granules can improve the bone condition of the POA model,thus delaying the process of degenerative changes of the knee joint.From the results of transcriptome analysis,Compound Duzhong Jiangu Granules can inhibit the expression of related genes in POA model guinea pigs.According to the results of Wester Bolt verification,Compound Duzhong Jiangu Granules can effectively improve knee osteoarthritis.Conclusions:The effect of Compound Duzhong Jiangu Granules on OA is obvious,and its mechanism may be related to the expression of genes GZMK,Jchain,igkc,IGHV3-74,IGHV3-11,IGHV4-1,CCL5,and IGKV1–39.

Exploration of the efficacy and mechanism of treating head wind disease with the combination change of ginger volatile oil and gingerol by using content-weighted network pharmacology technology

Background:Exploring the efficacy,potential components,and mechanism of the combination of ginger essential oil and gingerols in the treatment of head wind disease based on network pharmacology technology with content weight.Methods:The experimental groups were divided into:0:10,1:4,1:2,1:1,2:1,4:1,10:0.The relative content(Ri)of the chemical constituents of ginger's volatile oil was determined using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry(GC-MS).Additionally,the physicochemical and biological property parameters(LogP,MDCK,PPB,MW)of the components were considered.To assess the quantitative effect of the components,a grading score was performed,and the quantitative effect index(Ki)was calculated.Subsequently,the target effect index(Ti)was calculated by combining the component-target matching score(Fit score).Using these calculations,the target effect score A was determined under the influence of multiple components targeting different targets.Key targets with A≥1000 were identified.To predict the targets related to head wind disease,the Comparative Toxicogenomics Database(https://ctdbase.org/),Gene Cards(https://www.genecards.org/),and Disgenet database(https://www.disgenet.org/)were utilized.The key targets,obtained from different proportions of ginger's volatile oil and gingerol,were intersected with the predicted targets.This facilitated network pharmacological analysis and verification of the efficacy.Results:The content of volatile oil in ginger demonstrated an impact on key targets associated with the volatile oil group.Each specific combination of volatile oil consistently activated distinct pathways,with variations stemming from changes in content.Experimental testing revealed that different combinations of ginger's volatile oil and gingerol effectively alleviated migraine symptoms in rats.Conclusion:Through the application of content-weighted network pharmacology technology and pharmacodynamic verification,it was determined that altering the ratio between ginger's volatile oil and gingerol leads to variations in potential targets and pathways,consequently impacting its efficacy.

Exploring the scientific rationality of“Different dosage forms of the same prescription”base on Q-markers of pulvis and pill of Chuanxiong Chatiao Prescription

Objective:To predict and analyze the potential Q-markers of Chuanxiong Chatiao Prescription,and the pharmacokinetic properties of pulvis and pills in vivo were studied,which provided a basis for the rational evaluation of the phenomenon of“Different Dosage Forms of the Same Prescription”.Methods and Material:Q-markers analysis of Chuanxiong Chatiao Prescription based on the“Five Principles”(traceability and transmissibility,specificity,effectiveness,prescription compatibility and testability).The content determination method of Q-markers in Chuanxiong Chatiao Prescription was established by UPLC,and the content difference of Q-markers in the two dosage forms ware determined and compared.The Q-markers in rabbit plasma was determined by LC-MS/MS method,and the pharmacokinetic parameters of Q-markers in pulvis and pills were analyzed.Results:A total of 16 potential Q-markers from the“Five Principles”were used,nine components of tetramethylprazine,ferulic acid,glycyrrhizin,glycyrrhizic acid,luteolin,cimicifugoside,senkyunolideⅠ,isoimperatorin,nodakenin were identified as Q-markers of Chuanxiong Chatiao Presciption.The content of tetramethylprazine and other components in the pulvis form was found to be significantly higher than that in the pills,while the content of senkyunolideⅠwas lower than that in the pills,which may be related to the preparation process of the dosage form and the physicochemical properties of the components.Compared with pulvis,the Tmax and t_(1/2)of ferulic acid and other components in pills were significantly prolonged.To a certain extent,it can explain the classical theory of traditional Chinese medicine“Components in pulvis release quickly and take effect in fast-acting manner,while in pills release slowly and take effect in slow-acting”.Meanwhile,the Cmax and AUC0-t of tetramethylprazine and other components in pills were higher than those in pulvis,which showed unexpected pharmacokinetic characteristics,indicating the complexity of compounding and the importance of dosage form design.Conclusions:A method for the determination of Q-markers content was established by UPLC,which provide reference for the quality control of Chuanxiong Chatiao Prescription.In vivo studies have found the pharmacokinetic parameters indicate the absorption and distribution characteristics of pulvis and pills.However,it is also found that the release behavior of different components not only affected by the dosage form but also closely related to their own physical and chemical properties.

Discussion on the mechanism of Xiaoyao Wan in the treatment of depression and anxiety based on network pharmacology

In order to clarify the targets of Xiaoyao Wan in the treatment of depression and anxiety,the pharmacological database of traditional Chinese medicine system and the analysis platform(TCMSP)were used to search the chemical components and potential targets of Xiaoyao Wan.The databases of Malacards and Genecards were used to mine the targets related to depression and anxiety.With the help of Cytoscape3.2.1 software,the“Xiaoyao Wan-targets-diseases”network is constructed.The PPI network is constructed through String database.Common targets are enriched by cluster Profiler software package in R language.161 active components of Xiaoyao Wan were screened,and 247 targets related to Xiaoyao Wan were predicted(excluding repetitive targets).The related targets of depression and anxiety were 379,337 respectively.Through the intersection of Venny diagram,24 targets of Xiaoyao Wan,depression and anxiety were obtained.24 key targets were screened out by constructing the interaction network of Xiaoyao Wan,depression and anxiety.Pathway enrichment analysis showed that Xiaoyao Wan mainly acts on key targets involves D(2)dopamine receptor(DRD2),Interleukin-6(IL6),5-hydroxytryptamine receptor 2A(HTR2A),Interleukin-1 beta(IL1B),5-hydroxytryptamine receptor 3A(HTR3A),Sodium-dependent dopamine transporter(SLC6A3),D(1A)dopamine receptor(DRD1),Interleukin-10(IL10),Sodium-dependent noradrenaline transporterin(SLC6A2)and other key targets in the treatment of depression and anxiety,and participates in important pathway processes such as Serotonergic synapse,Dopaminergic synapse,Neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction and regulation of neurotransmitter levels.It is speculated that Xiaoyao Wan plays a role in the treatment of depression and anxiety by affecting neurotransmitters 5-HT and DA,participating in hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal(HPA)and interfering in the process of inflammation.

Protective Effects of Tannins in Sanguisorbae Radix on Myelosuppression Mice

Objective To explore the protective effects of tannins in Sanguisorba Radix （TSR） on myelosuppression mice induced by cyclophosphamide （CTX）. Methods TSR was ig given at the dose of 20 mg/kg for 10 d after ip administration of CTX （200 mg/kg）. Results TSR could significantly increase the numbers of white blood ceils, red blood cells, and platelets of myelosuppression in mice. And it could accelerate bone marrow haemopoietic stem/progenitor cells （HSPCs） in myelosuppression mice and enhance cell proliferation by promoting cell cycles from G0/G1 phase to access into S and G2/M phases, then the reduced number of HSPCs induced by CTX was reversed. Moreover, TSR could increase the mRNA and protein expression levels of O（6）-methylguanine- DNA methyltransferase （MGMT） in HSPCs of myelosuppression mice. Concision TSR has a protective function against CTX-induced myelosuppression. The mechanism might be related to protecting hematopoietic stem cells of bone marrow, stimulating hematopoiesis recovery, as well as preventing the apoptosis of hematopoietic stem cells induced by CTX.