Mechanism of Prunella vulgaris in treating Graves' disease based on network pharmacology

Objective:To use the network pharmacology method to screen the effective components and targets of Prunella vulgaris to treat Graves disease,and to explore the relationship between its components and targets and diseases.Methods:Collect and screen active components and targets of Prunella vulgaris through TCMSP;use GeneCards and DisGeNET databases to screen disease-related genes of Graves disease,construct a"drug-component-disease-target"network and screen The core target of Prunella vulgaris to treat Graves disease.Then further protein interaction network analysis(PPI),GO biological function annotation,KEGG pathway analysis and molecular docking verification.Results:The ten active components of Prunella vulgaris can control 57 Graves'disease targets such as PPARG,PIK3CG,CASP9,AKT1,TNF,ICAM1,BCL2,BAX,etc.,affecting the inflammatory response,negative regulation of apoptosis and other related organisms.Academic process and TNF signaling pathway,HIF-1 signaling pathway,PI3K-Akt signaling pathway and cancer-related pathways and other related signaling pathways,thus playing a role in the treatment of Graves disease.Conclusion:This study initially verified the target and mode of action of Prunella vulgaris for Graves disease,which can lay the foundation for further revealing its clinical mechanism of action.

Effects of triterpenic acid from Prunella vulgaris L. on glycemia and pancreas in rat model of streptozotozin diabetes

Background The effects of triterpenic acid from Prunella vulgaris L. （TAP） on diabetes and its mechanism are uncertain. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of TAP on antihyperglycemic, antioxidant, and pancreas-protective in streptozotozin （STZ）-diabetic rats. Methods The diabetic model was produced by injection of 60 mg/kg STZ. Blood was drawn from the tail vein of rats after 72 hours. Rats with blood glucose 〉16.7 mmol/L were considered diabetic. Diabetic rats were randomly divided into four groups： （1） Diabetes rat （STZ）, （2） Diabetic rats treated with 50 mg/kg of triterpenic acid from Prunella vulgaris L （STZ＋TAP50）, （3） Diabetic rats treated with 100 mg/kg TAP （STZ＋TAP100）, and （4） Diabetic rats treated with 200 mg/kg TAP （STZ＋TAP200）. Normal rats （n=10） acted as the control group （NC）. TAP was administered by the intragastric route once each day for six weeks. Body weight and the concentration of blood glucose （BG） were measured after three and six weeks. Fructosamine （FMN）, malondialdehyde （MDA）, and nitric oxide （NO）, and the activities of nitric oxide synthase （NOS） and superoxide dismutase （SOD） in serum were determined after six weeks using commercially available kits following the manufacturer＇s instructions. Pathologic changes in pancreatic β-cells were also investigated by microscopic examination after hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining. The level of SOD mRNA in pancreatic β-cells was measured by polymerase chain reaction （PCR）. Results The levels of BG, FMN, NO, and MDA and the activities of NOS in serum in the four diabetes groups were significantly increased compared with the control group （P 〈0.01）. The activity of SOD in serum and the body weight was significantly decreased compared with the control group （P 〈0.01）. After administration of TAP to diabetic rats for six weeks, the body weight and the levels of BG, FMN, MDA, NO and the activity of NOS in serum decreased significantly compared with the STZ group in a dose-dependent manner. The activity of SOD in serum and body weight increased significantly compared with the STZ group in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, diabetic rats showed a significant decrease in SOD mRNA expression in pancreatic β cells. However, these changes were reversed by TAP. Histopathological examination also showed the protective effect of TAP on pancreatic β cells. Conclusions Triterpenic acid from Prunella vulgaris L. has an anti-diabetic effect, by controlling blood glucose and antioxidants, and has a protective effect on the pancreas.

Emerging therapeutic role of Prunella vulgaris in thyroid disease

Thyroid disease is characterized by unusual levels of thyroid hormones,which results in either hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism.The pathology of a particular type or stage of thyroid disease is very complicated,and always linked to a variety of biological functions.Although the mortality rate is not high,thyroid dysfunction could lead to metabolic and immunological disorders that can subsequently cause discomfort.To date,many drugs are suggested to have curative effects on thyroid disease,however,drug toxicity and long treatment periods encourage the search for more promising ones.Prunella vulgaris L.(Labiatae)is a popular herb that has shown great potential for improving human immunity and organ protection.It has been extensively used in the treatment of many diseases but its ability to treat specific diseases has not been fully reported.In this review,a literature search regarding herbs and herbal recipes for treating thyroid disease were carried out,organized,and summarized.In addition,this study conducted a literature search on the current situation and progress of P.vulgaris treatment for various diseases.Finally,this study discussed studies regarding P.vulgaris treatment of goiter,and the mechanism of treatment through the regulation of apoptosis.Accordingly,a combination therapy of herbs and Western medicine can provide significant therapeutic effects in the clinical treatment of thyroid disease.Furthermore,the association between P.vulgaris and various diseases suggests that P.vulgaris is rich in a variety of active substances that can fight oxidation and participate in the regulation of apoptosis,thus having a protective effect on the thyroid.Here,a comprehensive literature review regarding the application of herbs or herbal recipes in the treatment of thyroid disease was presented.It is concluded that there is strong evidence for further research regarding the use of P.vulgaris in the treatment of thyroid diseases.

Morphological and Chemical Variation of Prunella vulgaris Populations from Different Locations in China

Objective To investigate the variation of chemical characteristics with environmental factors and establish a relationship between morphological characters and chemical composition of Prunella vulgaris collected in different areas of China. Methods Twelve phenotypic traits and three chemical compositions were assessed in 28 populations of P. vulgaris collected from different locations in China. Results The variability ranges observed at phenotypic and chemical levels were polymorphic. According to the morphological traits, 28 populations of P. vulgaris could be grouped into six clusters, and two morpho-types could be clearly distinguished. Perceptible differences could be discerned in the plant height, leaf length, corolla length, calyx length, fruiting spikes length, and maturity period. Based on three kinds of components including ursolic acid, total flavonoids, and total polysaccharides, all populations could be identified as four types. Cluster IV showing high content of ursolic acid, total flavonoids, and total polysaccharides could be utilized to develop superior derivatives. Conclusion The variation of chemical characteristics is influenced by the genetic and environmental factors, such as soil, climate, longitude, and altitude. It provides a solid basis for efficiently evaluating qualities and establishing good agricultural practices for P. vulgaris.

基于转录组学探讨夏枯草茎叶总多酚对慢性盆腔炎大鼠的药效学作用及机制

探究夏枯草茎叶总多酚抗慢性盆腔炎的药效学作用及机制。本试验选取60只雌性大鼠并随机分为正常组(CON)、假手术组(SHAM)、模型组(MOD)、康妇炎胶囊组(KFY)、头孢克洛分散片组(CEC)和夏枯草茎叶总多酚组(XKC)。采用混合菌液加机械损伤进行大鼠慢性盆腔炎造模,模型复制成功后,连续给药21 d,肉眼观察大鼠子宫形态学变化,HE染色法进行组织病理学分析;Elisa法检测大鼠血清中IL-1β,IL-6和IL-18含量;转录组测序技术(RNA-seq)分析假手术组、模型组和夏枯草茎叶总多酚组大鼠子宫组织的差异表达基因,并对筛选后的差异表达基因进行GO功能分析和KEGG pathway富集分析。研究结果显示,夏枯草茎叶总多酚可明显减轻慢性盆腔炎大鼠子宫充血水肿、粘连、炎性细胞浸润以及上皮细胞坏死脱落等,并且显著降低慢性盆腔炎大鼠血清中IL-1β、IL-6和IL-18含量(P <0.05)。转录组分析显示,模型组vs假手术组与XKC组vs模型组有297个共同差异表达基因;GO功能富集和KEGG pathway富集分析的结果表明,共同差异基因主要参与了金黄色葡萄球菌感染、雌激素、白细胞跨内皮迁移、VEGF、GnR H和血小板活化等信号通路,其中Pik3R2和Mapk12基因在这些信号通路上高频出现,且表达水平在XKC组中明显上调。夏枯草茎叶总多酚对慢性盆腔炎大鼠具有明显的治疗作用,能修复慢性盆腔炎组织病理损伤,降低促炎因子水平,其机制可能与干预金黄色葡萄球菌感染、雌激素、白细胞跨内皮迁移、VEGF、GnR H和血小板活化等信号通路以及上调通路中Pik3R2和Mapk12基因表达有关。

Integrating qualitative and quantitative characterization of Prunellae Spica by HPLC-QTOF/MS and HPLC-ELSD

The present study was designed to analyze the major constituents in Prunellae Spica and establish a method for simultaneous determination of two constituents contained in Prunellae Spica. High performance liquid chromatography coupled with time-of-flight mass spectrometry(HPLC-QTOF-MS/MS) technique was used to identify the constituents in the extractive of Prunellae Spica. High performance liquid chromatography coupled with evaporative light scattering detection(HPLC-ELSD) was used to simultaneously quantify two kinds of constituents contained in Prunellae Spica. Principal component analysis(PCA) was applied to compare the similarity and difference among samples from different regions of China. In the present study, 22 compounds were identified and some new fragmental pathways of triterpenic acids were discovered. An accurate and reliable HPLC-ELSD method was developed and validated for the first time to simultaneously quantify multiple constituents, including rosmarinic acid, maslinic acid, corosolic acid, betulin, oleanolic acid, and ursolic acid in the extract of Prunellae Spica.(PCA) revealed some similarities and differences among different samples from different regions of China. In conclusion, our results from this study would be helpful in establishing a scientific and rational quality control method for Prunellae Spica.