Study on the mechanism of action of Lizhong Tang in ameliorating non-alcoholic fatty liver disease by regulating mitochondrial autophagy

Objective:To investigate the therapeutic efficacy and underlying mechanisms of LiZhong Tang in the context of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD).Methods:High-fat feed was used to induce NAFLD in rats,Blood and liver samples were collected to facilitate a comparative analysis of rat body mass and liver wet weight and calculate the liver index.Liver pathology was observed,while serum transaminase and blood lipid levels were measured.The protein expression levels of PINK1,Parkin,and LC-3II in rat liver were detected using Western Blot analysis.Results:Compared with the control group,the NAFLD rats exhibited a significant increase in body weight,liver wet weight,liver index,transaminase levels,and blood lipid levels.The expression levels of PINK1,Parkin,and LC3-II protein were significantly decreased(P<0.01).Following intervention with Lizhong Tang,rats in each herbal treatment group displayed a decrease in body weight,liver wet weight,liver index,se-rum transaminase,and blood lipid levels.The expression levels of PINK1,Parkin,and LC-3II rebounded(P<0.05),with the high-dose group demonstrating the most pronounced effects(P<0.01).Histopathological examination of liver tissue revealed that rats in the model group displayed disrupted hepatic lobule structure,swollen hepatocytes,disordered arrangement,and a multi-tude of varying-sized lipid vacuoles within the cytoplasm.Conversely,rats treated with different doses of the herbal remedy exhibited improvements in liver tissue pathology,with the high-dose group showing the most notable enhancement.Conclusion:Lizhong Tang can improve NAFLD disease by regulating mitochondrial autophagy.

On the Digital Transformation of the Automobile Manufacturing Industry in the Chengdu-Chongqing Economic Circle:Mechanism of Action and Feasible Paths

With a long industrial chain and a powerful ability to drive other industries,the automobile manufacturing industry has a prominent strategic position in the national economy.In recent years,many countries have put on their agenda the digitalization of the automobile manufacturing industry,leading to an connected,autonomous,shared,and electric(also known as CASE)①development trend in the industry.As one of the six major automobile industry clusters in China,the Chengdu-Chongqing economic circle has achieved initial results in the digital transformation of the automobile manufacturing industry.However,the region is still faced with some constraints,such as insufficient digital infrastructure,relatively slow development of new automobile products,insufficient innovation ability of the automobile industry,and complex digital transformation of small and medium-sized automobile enterprises(automobile SMEs).This paper intends to construct a framework for the mechanism of action of the digital transformation in the automobile manufacturing industry,analyze the effects of the digital transformation of the automobile manufacturing industry in the Chengdu-Chongqing economic circle,and propose feasible paths for the digital transformation of the automobile manufacturing industry in the region by drawing on domestic and international experience in this regard.The specific paths include:(a)Smoothing the“dual-core”data chain to facilitate the digital transformation of the automobile manufacturing industry;(b)Developing the new energy vehicle(NEV)industry to upgrade the quality of automobile products;(c)Achieving corner overtaking in the digital transformation of the automobile manufacturing industry with digital technology;(d)Jointly building the automobile industrial park to promote the digital transformation of the industry;(e)Addressing problems facing automobile SMEs in digital transformation via targeted policy tools.

Mechanism of Action and Therapeutic Effect of Modified Qiwei Baishu Powder in Diabetes

Objective:To study the mechanism of action and therapeutic effect of modified Qiwei Baishu powder in diabetic patients.Methods:From January 2021 to January 2022,80 diabetic patients were recruited in our study and divided into two groups by the random number table method.Group A was treated with modified Qiwei Baishu powder,whereas group B was treated with western medicine.The therapeutic effect,traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)syndrome score,blood sugar level,and incidence of adverse reaction were compared between the two groups.Result:The therapeutic effect in group A was significantly higher than that in group B(P<0.05);the TCM syndrome scores of group A were significantly lower than those of group B(P<0.05);the fasting blood glucose(FBG),2 hour-postprandial blood glucose(PBG),and glycosylated hemoglobin(HbA1c)levels of group A were significantly lower than those of group B(P<0.05);the incidence of adverse reaction in group A was significantly lower than that in group B(P<0.05).Conclusion:On the basis of western medicine,the addition of modified Qiwei Baishu powder can maintain stable blood sugar levels in patients and alleviate diabetic symptoms;thus,it is not only effective,but also safe for clinical use in diabetes.

Naturally derived anti-hepatitis B virus agents and their mechanism of action

Despite that some approved drugs and genetically engineered vaccines against hepatitis B virus(HBV)are available for HBV patients,HBV infection is still a severe public health problem in the world.All the approved therapeutic drugs(including interferonalpha and nucleoside analogues)have their limitations.No drugs or therapeutic methods can cure hepatitis B so far.Therefore,it is urgently needed to discover and develop new anti-HBV drugs,especially nonnucleoside agents.Naturally originated compounds with enormous molecular complexity and diversity offer a great opportunity to find novel anti-HBV lead compounds with specific antiviral mechanisms.In this review,the natural products against HBV are discussed according to their chemical classes such as terpenes,lignans,phenolic acids,polyphenols,lactones,alkaloids and flavonoids.Furthermore,novel mode of action or new targets of some representative anti-HBV natural products are also discussed.The aim of this review is to report new discoveries and updates pertaining to anti-HBV natural products in the last 20years,especially novel skeletons and mode of action.Although many natural products with various skeletons have been reported to exhibit potent anti-HBV effects to date,scarcely any of them are found in the list of conventional anti-HBV drugs worldwide.Additionly,in anti-HBV mechanism of action,only a few references reported new targets or novel mode of action of antiHBV natural products.

Antimicrobial peptides: mechanism of action, activity and clinical potential

The management of bacterial infections is becoming a major clinical challenge due to the rapid evolution of antibiotic resistant bacteria.As an excellent candidate to overcome antibiotic resistance,antimicrobial peptides(AMPs)that are produced from the synthetic and natural sources demonstrate a broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity with the high specificity and low toxicity.These peptides possess distinctive structures and functions by employing sophisticated mechanisms of action.This comprehensive review provides a broad overview of AMPs from the origin,structural characteristics,mechanisms of action,biological activities to clinical applications.We finally discuss the strategies to optimize and develop AMP-based treatment as the potential antimicrobial and anticancer therapeutics.

Role and mechanism of action of leucine-rich repeat kinase 1 in bone

Leucine-rich repeat kinase 1 （LRRK1） plays a critical role in regulating cytoskeletal organization, osteoclast activity, and bone resorption with little effect on bone formation parameters. Deficiency of Lrrkl in mice causes a severe osteopetrosis in the metaphysis of the long bones and vertebrae bones, which makes LRRK1 an attractive alternative drug target for the treatment of osteoporosis and other high-turnover bone diseases. This review recent advances on the functions of the Lrrkl-related family members, Lrrkl deficiency-induced skeletal phenotypes, LRRK1 structure-function, potential biological substrates and interacting proteins, and the mechanisms of LRRK1 action in osteoclasts.

Pharmacological Studies of Meisoindigo: Absorption and Mechanism of Action

Meisoindigo, an indirubin derivative, is a new type of cancer chemotherapeutic agent. It exhibited higher activity against rodent tumors than indirubin itself. Experiments have shown the improved absorption of meisoindigo, compared to indirubin to be one of the major reasons for the enhancement of antitumor activity. Studies on the mechanism of meisoindigo action indicate that it strongly inhibits DNA biosynthesis in tumor cells. Strong inhibition of the drug on assembly of microtubule protein was also obtained. By means of FCM technique the effects of meisoindigo on mouse leukemia L1210 cell cycle were examined. Experimental results showed that under the action of meisoindigo the S phase cells accumulated and the traverse of the cells in G2 + M phase to G1 phase may also be blocked to some extent.

Anticancer Activities and Mechanism of Action of Nagilactones, a Group of Terpenoid Lactones Isolated from Podocarpus Species

Nagilactones are tetracyclic natural products isolated from various Podocarpus species.These lactone-based compounds display a range of pharmacological effects,including antifungal,anti-atherosclerosis,anti-inflammatory and anticancer activities reviewed here.The most active derivatives,such as nagilactones C,E and F,exhibit potent anticancer activities against different cancer cell lines and tumor models.A comprehensive analysis of their mechanism of action indicates that their anticancer activity mainly derives from three complementary action:(i)a drug-induced inhibition of cell proliferation coupled with a cell cycle perturbation and induction of apoptosis,(ii)a blockade of the epithelial to mesenchymal cell transi-tion contributing to an inhibition of cancer cell migration and invasion and(iii)a capacity to modulate the PD-L1 immune checkpoint.Different molecular effectors have been implicated in the antitumor activity,chiefly the AP-1 pathway blocked upon activation of the JNK/c-Jun axis.Nag-C is a potent inhibitor of protein synthesis binding to eukaryotic ribosomes and inhibition of different protein kinases,such as RIOK2 and JAK2,has been postulated with Nag-E.The literature survey on nagilactones highlights the therapeutic potential of these little-known terpenoids.The mechanistic analysis also provides useful information for structurally related compounds(podolactones,oidiolactones,inumakilactones)isolated from Podo-carpus plants.

Hinokiflavone and Related C-O-C-Type Biflavonoids as Anti-cancer Compounds:Properties and Mechanism of Action

Biflavonoids are divided in two classes:C-C type compounds represented by the dimeric compound amentoflavone and C-O-C-type compounds typified by hinokiflavone(HNK)with an ether linkage between the two connected apigenin units.This later sub-group of bisflavonyl ethers includes HNK,ochnaflavone,delicaflavone and a few other dimeric compounds,found in a variety of plants,notably Selaginella species.A comprehensive review of the anticancer properties and mechanism of action of HNK is provided,to highlight the anti-proliferative and anti-metastatic activities of HNK and derivatives,and HNK-containing plant extracts.The anticancer effects rely on the capacity of HNK to interfere with the ERK1-2/p38/NFκB signaling pathway and the regulation of the expression of the matrix metalloproteinases MMP-2 and MMP-9(with a potential direct binding to MMP-9).In addition,HNK was found to function as a potent modulator of pre-mRNA splicing,inhibit-ing the SUMO-specific protease SENP1.As such,HNK represents a rare SENP1 inhibitor of natural origin and a scaffold to design synthetic compounds.Oral formulations of HNK have been elaborated to enhance its solubility,to facilitate the compound delivery and to enhance its anticancer efficacy.The review shed light on the anticancer potential of C-O-C-type biflavonoids and specifically on the pharmacological profile of HNK.This compound deserves further attention as a regu-lator of pre-mRNA splicing,useful to treat cancers(in particular hepatocellular carcinoma)and other human pathologies.

Exploring the mechanism of action of San Huang lotion for the topical treatment of eczema based on network pharmacology and molecular docking techniques

Objective:To predict the mechanism of action of San Huang lotion for topical treatment of eczema at the level of network pharmacology and molecular docking technology.Methods:The active ingredients and corresponding targets of San Huang lotion were collected using the TCMSP data platform and UniProt;the relevant gene targets of San Huang lotion were collected using the GeneCards database,OMIM database,TTD database,and DrugBank database;the intersection targets of San Huang lotion and eczema were obtained by creating avenn diagram;the key active ingredients and targets were screened by constructing a disease-active ingredient-target map,and the key active ingredients and core targets were screened out by constructing disease-active ingredient-target diagrams and PPInetwork diagrams;GOand KEGGenrichment analyses were conducted using the metascapewebsite and the higher significant entries were selected to produce bar charts and bubble plots.Finally,molecular docking of key active ingredients and core targets was performed.Results:A total of 134 active ingredients and 3,320 eczema-related target genes were screened for San Huang lotion,and 126 intersecting targets were obtained for San Huang lotion and eczema.The five key active ingredients of San Huang lotion for topical treatment of eczema and six core targets ofAKT1,TNF,IL6,IL1B,TP53andVEGFA were obtained by drug-active ingredient-target map and PPInetwork map.The GOand KEGGenrichment analysis showed that the topical treatment of eczema withSanHuanglotion might be mediated throughIL-17signaling pathway,TNFsignaling pathway and Th17cell differentiation pathway.The molecular docking results showed that the docking binding energy of key active ingredients and core targets was mostly less than-5 kcal/mol,and the docking was good.Conclusion:The quercetin,luteolin,wogonin,formononetin,beta-sitosterol and other active ingredients in San Huang lotion may act on eczema through AKT1,TNF,IL6,IL1B,TP53,VEGFA and other targets,and through IL-17signaling pathway,TNFsignaling pathway,Th17cell differentiation and other pathways.

Study on the Mechanism of Action of Glyasperin A in the Treatment of Atherosclerosis Based on Network Pharmacology and Molecular Docking

[Objectives] This study was conducted to investigate the mechanism of action of glyasperin A in the treatment of atherosclerosis using a network pharmacology approach. [Methods] Targets related to atherosclerosis were searched in GeneCards database. An active ingredient-disease-target network was constructed by Cytoscape 3.7.1. A target protein interaction network was constructed by String database. Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment analysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis were performed on the DAVID database. [Results] Glyasperin A acted on 36 atherosclerosis-related targets, and the biofunctional and pathway enrichment analyses showed that it was mainly involved in response to xenobiotic stimulus, drug transport across blood-brain barrier, lipid oxidation, barrier, and lipid oxidation, etc. The results showed that glyasperin A acted on 36 atherosclerosis-related targets. The biofunctional and pathway enrichment analyses showed that it was mainly involved in response to xenobiotic stimulus, drug transport across blood-brain barrier, lipid oxidation, positive regulation of protein localization to nucleus, and hepoxilin biosynthetic process, and it played an anti-fatigue role through signal pathways such as serotonergic synapse, efferocytosis, arachidonic acid metabolism, chemical carcinogenesis-receptor activation and platelet activation. [Conclusions] Glyasperin A has multi-target and multi-pathway effects in the treatment of atherosclerosis. This study provides reference for further research on glyasperin A in the treatment of atherosclerosis.

Review on dietary supplements as an effective improvement of Alzheimer's disease:focus on structures and mechanisms

Alzheimer’s disease(AD),the major form of neurodegenerative diseases that can severely impede normal cognitive function,makes it one of the most common fatal diseases.There are currently over 50 million AD patients worldwide.The neuropathology of AD is perplexing and there is a scarcity of disease-modifying treatments.Currently,early diagnosis of AD has been made possible with the discovery of biological markers associated with pathology,providing strong support for the improvement of the disease status.The search for inhibitors of AD markers from dietary supplements(DSs)has become a major hot topic.Especially with the widespread use of DSs,DSs containing polyphenols,alkaloids,terpenes,polysaccharides and other bioactive components can prevent AD by reducing Aβdeposition,inhibiting tau protein hyperphosphorylation,reconstructing synaptic dysfunction,weakening cholinesterase activity,regulating mitochondrial oxidative stress,neuronal inflammation and apoptosis.This review summarizes the anti-AD effects of the main DSs and their bioactive constituents,as well as the potential molecular mechanisms covers from 2017 to 2023.Additionally,we discussed the opportunities and challenges faced by DSs in the process of AD prevention and treatment,aiming to further provide new perspectives for functional food development.

Application and mechanisms of Sanhua Decoction in the treatment of cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury

Cerebral ischemia-reperfusion is a process in which the blood supply to the brain is temporarily interrupted and subsequently restored.However,it is highly likely to lead to further aggravation of pathological damage to ischemic tissues or the nervous system.,and has accordingly been a focus of extensive clinical research.As a traditional Chinese medicinal formulation,Sanhua Decoction has gradually gained importance in the treatment of cerebrovascular diseases.Its main constituents include Citrus aurantium,Magnolia officinalis,rhubarb,and Qiangwu,which are primarily used to regulate qi.In the treatment of neurological diseases,the therapeutic effects of the Sanhua Decoction are mediated via different pathways,including antioxidant,anti-inflammatory,and neurotransmitter regu-latory pathways,as well as through the protection of nerve cells and a reduction in cerebral edema.Among the studies conducted to date,many have found that the application of Sanhua Decoction in the treatment of neurological diseases has clear therapeutic effects.In addition,as a natural treatment,the Sanhua Decoction has received widespread attention,given that it is safer and more effective than traditional Western medicines.Consequently,research on the mechanisms of action and efficacy of the Sanhua Decoctions in the treatment of cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury is of considerable significance.In this paper,we describe the pathogenesis of cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury and review the current status of its treatment to examine the therapeutic mechanisms of action of the Sanhua Decoction.We hope that the findings of the research presented herein will contribute to a better understanding of the efficacy of this formulation in the treatment of cerebral ischemia-reperfusion,and provide a scientific basis for its application in clinical practice.

Mechanism of traditional Chinese medicine in the treatment of psoriasis with depression:A review

Psoriasis is a kind of immune-mediated, chronic, inflammatory skin disease, which is often associated with different degrees of psychological disorders. Specifically, there is a significant correlation between psoriasis and depression, and they show the relationships of reciprocal causation and mutual promotion. Psoriasis with depression is more harmful than simple psoriasis, and its prognosis is worse, which brings a huge burden to the family and society and is worthy of clinical attention. Based on the pathogenic factors of western medicine and pathogenesis of traditional Chinese medicine in psoriasis with depression, the paper summarized and elaborated the research progress on the mechanism of traditional Chinese medicine in the treatment of psoriasis with depression, in order to provide new ideas for clinical treatment.

Based on network pharmacology,molecular docking and experimental validation to reveal the potential molecular mechanism of quercetin for the treatment of diarrheal irritable bowel syndrome

Objective:To explore the potential mechanism of action of quercetin in the treatment of diarrhea irritable bowel syndrome(IBS-D).Methods:The potential targets of quercetin were obtained from the TCMSP,SwissTar-getPrediction,and BATMAN-TCM databases.The targets of IBS-D were obtained by searching the GeneCards database with"diarrhea irritable bowel syndrome"as the keyword,and the targets of quercetin and IBS-D were intersected.The PPI network was constructed by Cytoscape 3.7.1 software.The intersected targets were imported into the DAVID database for GO functional analysis and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis.The binding ability of quercetin to the core targets was observed using molecular docking.Based on this,we established an IBS-D rat model,administered quercetin for intervention,and experimentally validated the network pharmacology prediction results by HE staining and ELISA assay.Results:Network pharmacology analysis showed that TP53,TNF-α,AKT1,VEGF-A,IL-6 factors and MAPK,PI3K-Akt signaling pathway as the core targets and pathways of quercetin for the treatment of IBS-D.The results of animal experiments revealed that quercetin could inhibit the secretion of TP53,TNF-α,AKT1,VEGF-A,IL-1βand IL-6,reduce the inflammatory response and improve IBS-D.Conclusion:Quercetin could protect colon tissue by regulating the expression of TP53,TNF-α,AKT1,VEGF-A,IL-1βand IL-6,thereby treating IBS-D.

Molecular basis and mechanism of action of Albizia julibrissin in depression treatment and clinical application of its formulae

Albizzia julibrissin is empirically used as an antidepressant in clinical practice.Preclinical studies have indicated that its total extracts or bioactive constituents exerted antidepressant-like responses in animal models,providing the molecular basis to reveal its underlying mechanism of action.While attempts have been made to understand the antidepressant effect of A.julibrissin,many fundamental questions regarding its mechanism of action remain to be addressed at the molecular and systems levels.In this review,we conclusively discussed the mechanism of action of A.julibrissin and A.julibrissin formulae by reviewing recent preclinical and clinical studies conducted by using depressive animal models and depressive patients.Several representative bioactive constituents and formulae were highlighted as examples,and their mechanisms of action were discussed.In addition,some representative A.julibrissin formulae that have been shown to be compatible with conventional antidepressants in clinical practice were also reviewed.Furthermore,we discussed the future research directions to reveal the underlying mechanism of A.julibrissin at the molecular and systems levels in depression treatment.The integrated study using both the molecular and systematic approaches is required not only for improving our understanding of its molecular basis and mechanisms of action,but also for providing a way to discover novel agents or approaches for the effective and systematic treatment of depression.

Research progress on the mechanism of traditional Chinese medicine in the treatment of autoimmune hepatitis

Autoimmune hepatitis is an inflammatory liver disease primarily mediated by T cell.It has not been fully elucidated about the pathogenesis,and it is presently thought to be related to genetic susceptibility,infection and environmental triggers,and abnormal autoimmune regulation.Recent studies have found that traditional Chinese medicine can improve the biochemical indicators and clinical symptoms of patients with autoimmune hepatitis.This article reviews the specific mechanism of traditional Chinese medicine on treating autoimmune hepatitis in order to propose new ideas for its clinical diagnosis and treatment.

Exploring the targets and molecular mechanism of glycyrrhetinic acid against diabetic nephropathy based on network pharmacology and molecular docking

BACKGROUND Diabetic nephropathy(DN)stands as the most prevalent chronic microvascular complication of diabetes mellitus.Approximately 50%of DN patients progress to end-stage renal disease,posing a substantial health burden.AIM To employ network pharmacology and molecular docking methods to predict the mechanism by which glycyrrhetinic acid(GA)treats DN,subsequently validating these predictions through experimental means.METHODS The study initially identified GA targets using Pharm Mapper and the TCMSP database.Targets relevant to DN were obtained from the Genecards,OMIM,and TTD databases.The Venny database facilitated the acquisition of intersecting targets between GA and DN.The String database was used to construct a protein interaction network,while DAVID database was used to conducted Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG)pathway analysis and Gene Ontology(GO)analysis.Molecular docking experiments were performed using Autodock software with selected proteins.Experimental validation was conducted using renal proximal tubular cells(HK-2)as the study subjects.A hyperglycemic environment was simulated using glucose solution,and the effect of GA on cell viability was assessed through the cell counting kit-8 method.Flow cytometry was employed to detect cell cycle and apoptosis,and protein immunoblot(western blot)was used to measure the expression of proteins of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase(PI3K)/protein kinase B(AKT)signaling pathway and insulin resistance pathway,including insulin receptor(INSR),PI3K,p-PI3K,AKT,p-AKT,and glycogen synthase kinase-3(GSK3).RESULTS A total of 186 intersecting targets between GA and DN were identified,which were associated with 144 KEGGrelated enrichment pathways,375 GO biological process entries,45 GO cellular component entries,and 112 GO cellular function entries.Molecular docking demonstrated strong binding of GA to mitogen-activated protein kinase(MAPK)-1,SRC,PIK3R1,HSP90AA1,CASPASE9,HARS,KRAS,and MAPK14.In vitro experiments revealed that GA inhibited HK-2 cell viability,induced cell cycle arrest at the G2/M phase,and reduced apoptosis with increasing drug concentration.Western blot analysis showed that GA differentially up-regulated GSK3 protein expression,up-regulated AKT/p-AKT expression,down-regulated INSR,AKT,p-AKT,PI3K,and p-PI3K protein expression,and reduced p-PI3K/PI3K levels under high glucose conditions.CONCLUSION GA may protect renal intrinsic cells by modulating the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway,thereby inhibiting HK-2 cell viability,reducing HK-2 cell apoptosis,and inducing cell cycle arrest at the G0/G1 phase.

Fuzheng Huayu Capsule(扶正化瘀胶囊)in the Treatment of Liver Fibrosis:Clinical Evidence and Mechanism of Action

Liver fibrosis represents the wound healing response to liver injury from a wide variety of etiologies. Remarkable progresses have been shown in the field of liver fibrosis in a range of areas in the past years. In particular, the reversibility of liver fibrosis has been well documented in both patients and animal models. Great progresses have been made in the treatment of liver fibrosis with Chinese medicine. This review summarizes the effects of Fuzheng Huayu Capsule （扶正化瘀胶囊, FZHYC） in treating liver fibrosis and inflammation induced by chronic hepatitis B in clinical trials and the mechanism of action of FZHYC in reversing liver fibrosis in vivo and in vitro experiments.

Research Progress on Mechanism of Action of Radix Astragalus in the Treatment of Heart Failure

This paper reviewed the retrieved literature published in the last 10 years,regarding the mechanism of Radix Astragalus in treating heart failure,in aspects of myocardial contraction improvement, cardiac muscle cell protection,neuro-endocrinal system regulation,relative cytokine regulation,and left ventricular remodeling inhibition,etc.