This study aimed to investigate the effect and mechanisms of Ephedra Herb(EH)extract on adriamycin-induced nephrotic syndrome(NS),providing an experimental basis for the clinical treatment of NS.Hematoxylin and eosin ...This study aimed to investigate the effect and mechanisms of Ephedra Herb(EH)extract on adriamycin-induced nephrotic syndrome(NS),providing an experimental basis for the clinical treatment of NS.Hematoxylin and eosin staining,creatinine,urea nitrogen,and kidn injury molecule-1 were used to evaluate the activities of EH extract on renal function.The levels of inflammatory factors and oxidative stress were detected by kits.The levels of reactive oxygen species,immune cells,and apoptosis were measured by flow cytometry.A network pharmacological approach was used to predict the potential targets and mechanisms of EH extract in the treatment of NS.The protein levels of apoptosis-related proteins and CAMKK2,p-CAMKK2,AMPK,p-AMPK,mTOR and p-mTOR in the kidneys were detected by Western blot.The effective material basis of EH extract was screened by MTT assay.The AMPK pathway inhibitor(compound C,CC)was added to investigate the effect of the potent material basis on adriamycin-induced cell injury.EH extract significantly improved renal injury and relieve inflammation,oxidative stress,and apoptosis in rats.Network pharmacology and Western blot results showed that the effect of EH extract on NS may be associated with the CAMKK2/AMPK/mTOR signaling pathway.Moreover,methylephedrine significantly ameliorated adriamycin-induced NRK-52e cell injury.Methylephedrine also significantly improved the phosphorylation of AMPK and mTOR,which were blocked by CC.In sum,EH extract may ameliorate renal injury via the CAMKK2/AMPK/mTOR signaling pathway.Moreover,methylephedrine may be one of the material bases of EH extract.展开更多
Objective: Mahuang-Shigao herb-pair is a famous formula composed of Ephedra and Gypsum. The herb-pair is frequently used for treating cold symptoms and bronchial asthma in the clinical practice of Chinese medicine ...Objective: Mahuang-Shigao herb-pair is a famous formula composed of Ephedra and Gypsum. The herb-pair is frequently used for treating cold symptoms and bronchial asthma in the clinical practice of Chinese medicine (CM). In the present study, we evaluated evidence for the benefit of combined use of Ephedra and Gypsum by analyzing the antipyretic and anti-asthmatic activities of Ephedra-Gypsum. Methods: The antipyretic effects of Ephedra-Gypsum were evaluated in yeast-induced hyperthermia test. Thirty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 5 groups, including control group, standard aspirin group, and 3 Ephedra- Gypsum groups of different doses (6, 12, 24 g/kg). Ephedra-Gypsum extract and asprin were administered orally 6 h after the injection of yeast solution and body temperature was measured every 1 h for 8 h. The anti- asthmatic effects of Ephedra-Gypsum were evaluated using an ovalbumin (OVA)-induced asthmatic rat model. Thirty-six male SD rats were randomly divided into 6 groups. Rats were alternately sensitized and OVA+Al(OH)3 challenged by exposure to mists of ovalbumin. Ephedra-Gypsum extracts (6, 12, 24 g/kg) or dexamethasone were administered 45 min prior to the allergen challenge for 8 days. Latent period and the weight of wet to dry ratio of lung were determined. In addition, the eosinophils in blood and white blood cell (WBC) were counted by an YZ-Hemavet Analyzer. Results: The Ephedra-Gypsum extracts at test dose (6, 12, 24 g/kg) significantly and dose-dependently attenuated yeast-induced fever in rats. The Ephedra-Gypsum extracts also prolonged the latent period, reduced OVA-induced increases in eosinophils and WBC, and decreased the wet and dry weight ratio of the lungs in the anti-asthmatic test. Conclusions: These findings indicate that the Ephedra-Gypsum extract has antipyretic and anti-asthmatic properties. Hence, the results support additional scientific evidence in prescriptions.展开更多
Objective: To investigate the antipyretic mechanism of Herba Ephedrae (Eph)-Ramulus Cinnamomi (RC) herb pair on yeast-induced pyrexia in rats. Methods: Totally 30 qualified male SD rats were randomly assigned to...Objective: To investigate the antipyretic mechanism of Herba Ephedrae (Eph)-Ramulus Cinnamomi (RC) herb pair on yeast-induced pyrexia in rats. Methods: Totally 30 qualified male SD rats were randomly assigned to the normal control (NC) group, the pyrexia model (model) group, the Eph, RC and Eph-RC treatment groups by a random digital table, 6 rats in each group. Each rat received a 20% aqueous suspension of yeast (10 mL/kg) except the NC group. The 3 treatment groups were administered 8.1, 5.4 and 13.5 g/kg Eph, RC and Eph-RC respectively at 5 and 12 h after yeast injection, the NC group and the model groups were administered equal volume of distilled water. Rectal temperatures were measured at 0, 6, 8, 10, 12, 15, 18, 24 and 30 h and urine was collected prior to yeast injection and at 6, 10, 18, 24, 30, and 36 h after yeast injection. Then urine metabolomic profiling by gas chromatography tandem mass spectrometry, coupled with multivariate statistical analysis and pattern recognition techniques were used to explore the antipyretic effects of Eph-RC. Partial least squares discriminate analysis was used to analyze the metabolomics dataset including classification and regression in metabolomics plot profiling. Results: Compared with the NC group, rectal temperatures were significantly higher in the model group (P〈0.01), while 3 treatment groups decreased significantly compared with the model group (P〈0.05 or P〈0.01). Rectal temperatures of Eph-RC-treated rats started to go down at 6 h, and markedly decreased at 8, 12, 15, 18 and 24 h (P〈0.05 or P〈0.01), while those of the Eph and RC groups had decreased firstly at 8 h and were markedly lower at 12 h (P〈0.05 or P〈0.01). Seventeen potential biomarkers related to pyrexia were confirmed and identified, including pyruvic acid, L-phenylalanine, L-tyrosine, phenylacetic acid, hippuric acid, succinic acid, citrate and so on. Eight potential alterations of metabolic pathways including phenylalanine metabolism, citrate cycle, tryptophan metabolism, biosynthesis of valine, leucine and isoleucine, were identified in relation to the antipyretic effects of Eph-RC using MetPA software. Conclusion: The antipyretic effect of Eph-RC herb pair on yeast-induced pyrexia in rats involved correction of perturbed amino acid, fatty acid, and carbohydrate metabolism according to the metabolic pathway analysis with MetPA.展开更多
基金the National Key Research and Development Project(Nos.2019YFC1708802 and 2017YFC1702800)Henan province high-level personnel special support“ZhongYuan One Thousand People Pla”,Zhongyuan Leading Talent(No.ZYQR201810080)the Major Science and Technology Projects in Henan Province:Study on the key technology for quality control and the key characteristics of Rehmannia glutinosa,Dioscorea opposita Thunb.and Achyranthes bidentata Blume from Henan Province(No.171100310500).
文摘This study aimed to investigate the effect and mechanisms of Ephedra Herb(EH)extract on adriamycin-induced nephrotic syndrome(NS),providing an experimental basis for the clinical treatment of NS.Hematoxylin and eosin staining,creatinine,urea nitrogen,and kidn injury molecule-1 were used to evaluate the activities of EH extract on renal function.The levels of inflammatory factors and oxidative stress were detected by kits.The levels of reactive oxygen species,immune cells,and apoptosis were measured by flow cytometry.A network pharmacological approach was used to predict the potential targets and mechanisms of EH extract in the treatment of NS.The protein levels of apoptosis-related proteins and CAMKK2,p-CAMKK2,AMPK,p-AMPK,mTOR and p-mTOR in the kidneys were detected by Western blot.The effective material basis of EH extract was screened by MTT assay.The AMPK pathway inhibitor(compound C,CC)was added to investigate the effect of the potent material basis on adriamycin-induced cell injury.EH extract significantly improved renal injury and relieve inflammation,oxidative stress,and apoptosis in rats.Network pharmacology and Western blot results showed that the effect of EH extract on NS may be associated with the CAMKK2/AMPK/mTOR signaling pathway.Moreover,methylephedrine significantly ameliorated adriamycin-induced NRK-52e cell injury.Methylephedrine also significantly improved the phosphorylation of AMPK and mTOR,which were blocked by CC.In sum,EH extract may ameliorate renal injury via the CAMKK2/AMPK/mTOR signaling pathway.Moreover,methylephedrine may be one of the material bases of EH extract.
基金Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.81030066)
文摘Objective: Mahuang-Shigao herb-pair is a famous formula composed of Ephedra and Gypsum. The herb-pair is frequently used for treating cold symptoms and bronchial asthma in the clinical practice of Chinese medicine (CM). In the present study, we evaluated evidence for the benefit of combined use of Ephedra and Gypsum by analyzing the antipyretic and anti-asthmatic activities of Ephedra-Gypsum. Methods: The antipyretic effects of Ephedra-Gypsum were evaluated in yeast-induced hyperthermia test. Thirty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 5 groups, including control group, standard aspirin group, and 3 Ephedra- Gypsum groups of different doses (6, 12, 24 g/kg). Ephedra-Gypsum extract and asprin were administered orally 6 h after the injection of yeast solution and body temperature was measured every 1 h for 8 h. The anti- asthmatic effects of Ephedra-Gypsum were evaluated using an ovalbumin (OVA)-induced asthmatic rat model. Thirty-six male SD rats were randomly divided into 6 groups. Rats were alternately sensitized and OVA+Al(OH)3 challenged by exposure to mists of ovalbumin. Ephedra-Gypsum extracts (6, 12, 24 g/kg) or dexamethasone were administered 45 min prior to the allergen challenge for 8 days. Latent period and the weight of wet to dry ratio of lung were determined. In addition, the eosinophils in blood and white blood cell (WBC) were counted by an YZ-Hemavet Analyzer. Results: The Ephedra-Gypsum extracts at test dose (6, 12, 24 g/kg) significantly and dose-dependently attenuated yeast-induced fever in rats. The Ephedra-Gypsum extracts also prolonged the latent period, reduced OVA-induced increases in eosinophils and WBC, and decreased the wet and dry weight ratio of the lungs in the anti-asthmatic test. Conclusions: These findings indicate that the Ephedra-Gypsum extract has antipyretic and anti-asthmatic properties. Hence, the results support additional scientific evidence in prescriptions.
基金Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.81030066)
文摘Objective: To investigate the antipyretic mechanism of Herba Ephedrae (Eph)-Ramulus Cinnamomi (RC) herb pair on yeast-induced pyrexia in rats. Methods: Totally 30 qualified male SD rats were randomly assigned to the normal control (NC) group, the pyrexia model (model) group, the Eph, RC and Eph-RC treatment groups by a random digital table, 6 rats in each group. Each rat received a 20% aqueous suspension of yeast (10 mL/kg) except the NC group. The 3 treatment groups were administered 8.1, 5.4 and 13.5 g/kg Eph, RC and Eph-RC respectively at 5 and 12 h after yeast injection, the NC group and the model groups were administered equal volume of distilled water. Rectal temperatures were measured at 0, 6, 8, 10, 12, 15, 18, 24 and 30 h and urine was collected prior to yeast injection and at 6, 10, 18, 24, 30, and 36 h after yeast injection. Then urine metabolomic profiling by gas chromatography tandem mass spectrometry, coupled with multivariate statistical analysis and pattern recognition techniques were used to explore the antipyretic effects of Eph-RC. Partial least squares discriminate analysis was used to analyze the metabolomics dataset including classification and regression in metabolomics plot profiling. Results: Compared with the NC group, rectal temperatures were significantly higher in the model group (P〈0.01), while 3 treatment groups decreased significantly compared with the model group (P〈0.05 or P〈0.01). Rectal temperatures of Eph-RC-treated rats started to go down at 6 h, and markedly decreased at 8, 12, 15, 18 and 24 h (P〈0.05 or P〈0.01), while those of the Eph and RC groups had decreased firstly at 8 h and were markedly lower at 12 h (P〈0.05 or P〈0.01). Seventeen potential biomarkers related to pyrexia were confirmed and identified, including pyruvic acid, L-phenylalanine, L-tyrosine, phenylacetic acid, hippuric acid, succinic acid, citrate and so on. Eight potential alterations of metabolic pathways including phenylalanine metabolism, citrate cycle, tryptophan metabolism, biosynthesis of valine, leucine and isoleucine, were identified in relation to the antipyretic effects of Eph-RC using MetPA software. Conclusion: The antipyretic effect of Eph-RC herb pair on yeast-induced pyrexia in rats involved correction of perturbed amino acid, fatty acid, and carbohydrate metabolism according to the metabolic pathway analysis with MetPA.