Quality Standard Research of Shenqi Qiangjing Granules

[Objectives]The paper was to establish the quality standard of Shenqi Qiangjing granules and to conduct routine inspection of granular dosage forms.[Methods]The particle size,moisture,loss on drying,dissolubility,content uniformity and microbial limit of Shenqi Qiangjing granules were detected.Radix Astragali,Herba Epimedii,Radix Dipsaci and Fructus Schisandrae Chinensis were qualitatively identified by thin layer chromatography(TLC).[Results]The particle size,moisture,loss on drying,dissolubility,content uniformity and microbial limit of Shenqi Qiangjing granules were all in line with the relevant regulations of Pharmacopoeia of the People's Republic of China(2020 edition).Radix Astragali,Herba Epimedii,Radix Dipsaci and Fructus Schisandrae Chinensis had clear fluorescent spots in TLC assay,and no such spots were found in negative control.[Conclusions]The method has the advantages of simple operation,accurate and reliable results,strong specificity and good repeatability,and can effectively control the quality of Shenqi Qiangjing granules.

Potential active compounds and mechanisms of Shen-Qi-Yi-Chang granule for the treatment of colorectal cancer:an analysis of network pharmacology and molecular docking

Background:In recent years,herbal formulations have assumed an influential part in preventing and treating tumors.Shenqi Yichang granules(SQYCG)have proven effective in the adjuvant treatment of colorectal cancer(CRC),but their mechanism has not been elucidated.This study aimed to explore the potential active compounds and mechanisms of SQYCG in the treatment of CRC using network pharmacology and molecular docking.Methods:The active compounds and targets of SQYCG and the CRC genes were found using the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology,DrugBank,and DisGeNET databases.The intersected targets of disease genes and drug targets were depicted using a Venn diagram.The protein-protein interaction(PPI)network of these targets was obtained by String platform and visualized using Cytoscape.Gene Ontology(GO)and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG)enrichment analysis were carried using the DAVID database to obtain the core molecular mechanism of SQYCG in CRC treatment.Molecular docking techniques were used to validate the results.Results:A total of 63 compounds and 245 targets were obtained from the herbal prescription after the screening,of which 122 targets crossed with CRC genes.PPI showed that the core regulatory targets include MAPK1,TNF,TP53,JUN,RELA,MAPK14,and MAPK 8.The GO analysis indicated regulation of drug response,apoptotic process,response to hypoxia,angiogenesis,and response to lipopolysaccharide.KEGG pathway enrichment analysis mainly involves TNF,T cell receptor,Toll-like receptor,PI3K-Akt,and MAPK signal pathway.Conclusion:Through network pharmacology,we havedemonstrated that SQYCG has multiple targets,components,and pathways in treating CRC,with anti inflammation and inhibition of cell proliferation being critical components of its mechanism.

Shenqi Xingnao Granules ameliorates cognitive impairments and Alzheimer’s disease-like pathologies in APP/PS1 mouse model

Objective:Alzheimer’s disease(AD)is along with cognitive decline due to amyloid-β(Aβ)plaques,tau hyperphospho rylation,and neuron loss.Shenqi Xingnao Granules(SQXN),a traditional Chinese medicine,significantly ameliorated the cognitive function and daily living abilities of patients with AD.However,till date,no study has investigated the mechanism of action of SQXN on AD.The present study aimed to verify the effects of SQXN treatment on cognitive impairments and AD-like pathologies in APP/PS1 mice.Methods:Four-month-old APP/PS1 transgenic(Tg)mice were randomly divided into a model group and SQXN-treated(3.5,7,14 g/kg per day)groups.Learning-memory abilities were determined by Morris water maze and object recognition test.All mice were sacrificed and the brain samples were collected after 75 d.The soluble Aβcontents were detected by Elisa kit;The levels of expression of NeuN,APP,phosphorylated tau and related protein were measured by Western blotting;The inflammation factors were detected by the proinflammatory panel kit.Results:Four-month-old APP/PS1 mice were administered SQXN by oral gavage for 2.5 months.Using the Morris water maze tests and Novel object recognition,we found that SQXN restored behavioral deficits in the experimental group of Tg mice when compared with the controls.SQXN also inhibited neuronal loss(NeuN marker).SQXN treatment decreased soluble Aβ42 through inhibiting the expression of sAPPβand BACE-1 without regulating full-length amyloid precursor protein(FL APP).Insulin degrading enzyme(IDE),the Aβdegrading enzyme,were increased by SQXN.In addition,SQXN reduced hyperphosphorylated tau protein levels and prevented excessive activation of p-GSK-3βin the brain of APP/PS1 mice.Compared with APP/PS1 transgenic negative mice,IFN-γ,IL-1β,IL-2,IL-4,IL-5,IL-6,IL-12 p70,KC/GRO and TNF-αwere not obviously changed in the brain of 6.5-month-old APP/PS1 transgenic(Tg)mice.However,SQXN could inhibited the expression of IL-2.Conclusion:These results demonstrate that SQXN ameliorates the cognitive impairments in APP/PS1 mice.The possible mechanisms involve its inhibition of neuronal loss,soluble Aβdeposition,tau hyperphosphorylation and inflammation.