Network Pharmacological Mechanism Research of Herba Drynariae Rhizoma-Epimedii Folium in Treating Osteoarthritis

Objective: To investigate the potential mechanism of Drynariae Rhizoma-Epimedii Folium in the treatment of osteoarthritis (OA) based on network pharmacology. Methods: The potential active constituents and targets of Drynariae Rhizoma-Epimedii Folium were screened through the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) systems pharmacology database and analysis platform (TCMSP). Genecards database is used to find relevant targets of OA. The targets of “Drynariae Rhizoma-Epimedii Folium” were mapped to the targets of OA, and used Cytoscape software to build a “drug-ingredient-target-di- sease” regulatory network and protein protein interaction (PPI) network. R software was used to analyze the Gene ontology (GO) function and Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment of traditional Chinese medicine-disease targets. Results: Thirty-four effective ingredients and 130 traditional Chinese medicine-disease targets were screened out for the treatment of OA. The GO functions of traditional Chinese medicine-disease targets mainly included cytokine activity, cytokine receptor binding, nuclear receptor activity, transcription factor activity, proximal promoter DNA-binding transcription activator activity, DNA-binding transcription activator activity, phosphatase binding and so on. KEGG pathways involved in traditional Chinese medicine-disease targets mainly included TLR4 signaling pathway, TNF signaling pathway, IL-17 signaling pathway, MAPK signaling pathway, PI3K/AKT signaling pathway, apoptotic signaling pathway and so on. Conclusion: Network pharmacology may predict the multiple targets and multiple signaling pathways in Drynariae Rhizoma-Epimedii Folium treatment for OA, providing new ideas for future research.

Rhizoma Drynariae Improves Endometrial Receptivity in a Mus Model of Dysfunctional Embryo Implantation

Background: Rhizoma drynariae is a traditional Chinese medicine used in orthopedics and traumatology, but its effect on endometrial receptivity remains unknown. Aims and Objectives: To observe effect of Rhizoma drynariae and its main components on endometrial receptivity in a mus model of dysfunctional embryo implantation. Materials and Methods: Mus models were established by the Gn RHa+HMG+HCG method. Normal mus receiving saline were used as controls and the remaining six groups were: model receiving saline, progynova, aspirin, Rhizoma drynariae, osteopractic total flavone, and naringin. Pinopodes in uterine endometrium were examined by scanning electron microscopy. Stem cell factor(SCF) m RNA expressions was determined by real-time RT-PCR, and estrogen receptor α(ERα), progesterone receptor(PR) by immunohistochemistry. Results: In the model group, surface morphology of endometrium was heterogeneous, without obvious pinopodes. In the Rhizoma drynaria and progynova groups, pinopodes were abundant. Compared with the blank group, model group had lower levels of SCF(-47%), ERα(-63%) and PR(-50%)(all P<0.05). In comparison, Rhizoma drynariae group had higher levels of SCF(+73%), ERα(+118%) and PR(+101%)(all P<0.01). The individual main components of Rhizoma drynariae had variable efficacy. Conclusion: Rhizoma drynariae could improve endometrial receptivity of mouse models of dysfunctional embryo implantation as shown by increased numbers of pinopodes and higher levers of SCF, ERα, PR compared with the model group.

Interventional Value of Total Flavonoids from Rhizoma Drynariae on Cathepsin K,a Potential Target of Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis,the sixth most common disease in the world,is bringing increasingly serious harm to people＇s health.Cathepsin K,which plays an important role in bone resorption,is a potential target in the treatment of osteoporosis.Total flavonoids,the active ingredients in Rhizoma Drynariae,have shown obvious therapeutic effect on osteoporosis.In previous studies,it was presumed that the mechanism for the therapeutic effect was through inhibiting the expression of Cathepsin K.However,there are still no detailed reports on some key issues such as the specific inhibitory results of total flavonoids on Cathepsin K and the pathway of inhibition and so on.Based on previous studies on total flavonoids from Rhizoma Drynariae,the pathway for the effect of total flavonoids inhibiting Cathepsin K and their interventional value on Cathepsin K were analyzed in this paper, so as to explore the interventional feasibility and value of total flavonoids in Rhizoma Drynariae on Cathepsin K.

Kidney Tubular-Cell Secretion of Osteoblast Growth Factor Is Increased by Kaempferol:A Scientific Basis for "The Kidney Controlling the Bone" Theory of Chinese Medicine

Objective： To study, at the cytological level, the basic concept of Chinese medicine that “the Kidney （Shen） controls the bone”. Methods： Kaempferol was isolated form Rhizoma Drynariae （Gu Sui Bu, GSB） and at several concentrations was incubated with opossum kidney （OK） cells, osteoblasts （MC3T3 El） and human fibroblasts （HF） at cell concentrations of 2 x 104/mL. Opossum kidney cell-conditioned culture media with kaempferol at 70 nmol/L （70kaθOKM） and without kaempferol （oOKM） were used to stimulate MC3T3 E1 and HF proliferation. The bone morphological protein receptors I and Ⅱ （BMPR I and Ⅱ） in OK cells were identified by immune-fluorescence staining and Western blot analysis. Results： Kaempferol was found to increase OK cell growth （P〈0.05）, but alone did not promote MC3T3 E1 or HF cell proliferation. However, although OKM by itself increased MC3T3 E1 growth by 198% （P〈0.01）, the 70kaθOKM further increased the growth of these cells by an additional 127% （P〈0.01）. It indicates that the kidney cell generates a previously unknown osteoblast growth factor （OGF） and kaempferol increases kidney cell secretion of OGF. Neither of these media had any significant effect on HF growth. Kaempferol also was found to increase the level of the BMPR Ⅱ in OK cells. Conclusions： This lends strong support to the original idea that the Kidney has a significant influence over bone-formation, as suggested by some long-standing Chinese medical beliefs, kaempferol may also serve to stimulate kidney repair and indirectly stimulate bone formation.