Puerariae Radix protects against ulcerative colitis in mice by inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome activation

Ulcerative colitis(UC)is a common inflammatory disease of the gastrointestinal tract.Traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)has long been used in Asia as a treatment for UC and Puerariae Radix(PR)is a reliable anti-diarrheal therapy.The aims of this study were to investigate the protective effect of PR using the dextran sulfate sodium salt(DSS)-induced UC model in mice and identify molecular mechanisms of PR action.The chemical constituents of PR via ultra-performance liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry and identified potential PR and UC targets using a network pharmacology(NP)approach were obtained to guide mouse experiments.A total of 180 peaks were identified from PR including 48 flavonoids,46 organic acids,14 amino acids,8 phenols,8 carbohydrates,7 alkaloids,6 coumarins and 43 other constituents.NP results showed that caspase-1 was the most dysregulated of the core genes associated with UC.A PR dose of 0.136 mg/g administered to DSS treated mice reversed weight loss and decreased colon lengths found in UC mice.PR also alleviated intestinal mucosal shedding,inflammatory cell infiltration and mucin loss.PR treatment suppressed upregulation of NOD-like receptor protein 3(NLRP3),cysteinyl aspartate-specific proteases-1(caspase-1),apoptosis-associated speck-like(ASC)and gasdermin D(GSDMD)at both the protein and m RNA expression levels.The addition of a small molecule dual-specificity phosphatase inhibitor NSC 95397 inhibited the positive effects of PR.These results indicated that PR exerts a protective effect on DSS-induced colitis by inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome activation in mice.

Effects of Radix Puerariae, Radix Rehmanniae and Their Compatibility on Blood Glucose and Blood Lipids in Mice

[Objectives]To explore the effects of the compatibility of Radix Puerariae and Radix Rehmanniae on blood glucose and blood lipids in diabetic mouses.[Methods]Diabetic mouse model was established.The body weight and fasting blood glucose of mice were measured after 7 and 14 d of administration,and the biochemical indicators of blood lipids(TC,HDL-C,and LDL-C)were detected after 14 d of administration.[Results]Compared with the Radix Puerariae group and Radix Rehmanniae group,the compatibility group(1:2)had the best hypoglycemic effect(P<0.05),and TC and LDL-C in the compatibility group(2:1)significantly decreased(P<0.05),while HDL-C in the compatibility group(1:1)significantly increased(P<0.05).[Conclusions]Radix Puerariae,Radix Rehmanniae and their combination can reduce the blood glucose of diabetic mice.The compatibility group(1:2)had a significant hypoglycemic effect(P<0.05),and LDL-C in the compatibility group(2:1)significantly declined,while HDL-C in the compatibility group(1:1)rose significantly.

Effects of Ethanol Condensation Reflux Extraction and Ultrasound-assisted Extraction on the Content of Total Flavonoids of Pueraria edulis

With Pueraria edulis from different habitats in Yunnan Province,Guangdong Province and Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region as materials,the medicinal materials of P.edulis were extracted by ethanol condensation reflux extraction and ultrasound-assisted extraction,and the effects of different extraction methods the contents of total flavonoids in P.edulis from different areas were compared.The results showed that the best extraction time for P.edulis in Yunnan Province was 20 min,and that for Guangdong and Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region was 30 min.The yield of total flavonoids from P.edulis extracted by the condensation reflux extraction method was relatively better.The content of total flavonoids in P.edulis in Yunnan was the highest with an average content of 0.2557%,while the average content of total flavonoids in P.edulis in Guangdong was the lowest with an average content of 0.2108%.

Radix Ilicis Pubescentis total flavonoids combined with mobilization of bone marrow stem cells to protect against cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury

Previous studies have shown that Radix Ilicis Pubescentis total flavonoids have a neuroprotective effect, but it remains unclear whether Radix Ilicis Pubescentis total flavonoids have a synergistic effect with the recombinant human granulocyte colony stimulating factor-mobilized bone marrow stem cell transplantation on cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury. Rat ischemia models were administered 0.3, 0.15 and 0.075 g/kg Radix Ilicis Pubescentis total flavonoids from 3 days before modeling to 2 days after injury. Results showed that Radix Ilicis Pubescentis total flavonoids could reduce pathological injury in rats with cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury. The number of Nissl bodies increased, Bax protein expression decreased, Bcl-2 protein expression increased and the number of CD34-positive cells increased. Therefore, Radix Ilicis Pubescentis total flavonoids can improve the bone marrow stem cell mobilization effect, enhance the anti-apoptotic ability of nerve cells, and have a neuroprotective effect on cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury in rats.

Extraction and separation of total flavonoids from Flos Puerariae and its antioxidant activity

Objective To study the optimum extraction and separation process of total flavonoids in the flowers of Flos Puerariae and its antioxidative activity.Methods The total flavonoids were extracted with assistance of ultrasonic wave and the content was determined at 265 nm wavelength by Spectrophotometric method.Orthogonal experiment L9(34)was carried out to investigate the effects of concentration of solvent,the ratio of material to liquid,time length of extraction,and frequency of extraction on extraction results of total flavonoids from Flos Puerariae.The extracted solution was purified by petroleum ether and ethanol sequently.Under these conditions,the total flavonoids was eluted gradiently with mixed mobile phase of methanol-chloroform solution in the silica gel column system,and then determined by UV scanning and HPLC.Fenton reaction was used to produce and detect hydroxyl radicals(·OH),and pyrogallol system was used to produce and detect the superoxide radical anion(O2-·).Results The optimum conditions were as follows;using 40%(V/V)methanol as extractor with the ratio of material to liquid at 1∶30,and extracting for 2.5 h a time for 3 times.The extraction yield of total flavonoids was 13.6%.Six isoflavone compounds were isolated from the flowers of Flos Puerariae by the method of silica gel column chromatography.Antioxidative test results showed good performance of flavonoid scavenging capacity in both hydroxyl radical system and superoxide radical system and its IC50 was 7.65 μg·mL-1 and 0.18 mg·mL-1,respectively.Conclusions This study provided scientific basis for further development and utilization of Flos Puerariae and make preparation for later pharmacological research.

Molecular mechanism study of Radix Pueraria for the treatment of glioma based on network pharmacology

Radix Pueraria(RP)has a long history of dual-use in medicine and food,and is well known as“Asian ginseng”.Recently,some studies about the effect of RP against glioma have been reported.However,little is elucidated about the molecular mechanism of interaction.This study used network pharmacology and molecular docking techniques to clarify the molecular mechanism of RP in the treatment of glioma.Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform(TCMSP)was applied to screen potential active ingredients of RP and their targets.Targets for glioma were obtained from Genecards,OMIM,and Therapeutic Target Database(TTD).The topological analysis of cross-target and core target interaction was conducted using protein-protein interaction analysis(PPI).With the application of bioinformatics,GO and KEGG enrichment analyses were further carried out.Molecular docking was used then to validate the binding affinity between active components and key targets.This study successfully identified 6 potential active ingredients,namely beta-sitosterol,daidzein,formononetin,genistein,ononin,and puerarin.The hub targets were AKT1,TP53,VEGRA,EGFR,and MAPK3.These targets were mainly involved in biological processes,such as RNA polymerase II-specific DNA-binding transcription factor binding,and positive regulation of cell migration in the membrane raft,and were regulated by PI3K-Akt pathway.Further study showed that almost all the compounds had good binding abilities with above-mentioned targets.In short,this study systematically revealed the anti-glioma mechanism of RP to provide reference for the treatment of glioma.

Radix Ilicis Pubescentis total flavonoids ameliorates neuronal damage and reduces lesion extent in a mouse model of transient ischemic attack

Flavonoids are a major component in the traditional Chinese medicine Radix Ilicis Pubescentis.Previous studies have shown that the administration of Radix Ilicis Pubescentis total flavonoids is protective in cerebral ischemia.However,to our knowledge,no studies have examined whether the total flavonoids extracted from Radix Ilicis Pubescentis prevent or ameliorate neuronal damage following transient ischemic attacks.Therefore,Radix Ilicis Pubescentis total flavonoids question and the potential underlying mechanisms.Thus,beginning 3 days before the induction of a mouse model of transient ischemic attack using tert-butyl hydroperoxide injections,mice were intragastrically administered 0.3,0.15,or 0.075 g/kg of Radix Ilicis Pubescentis total flavonoids daily for 10 days.The results of spectrophotometric analyses demonstrated that Radix Ilicis Pubescentis total flavonoids enhanced oxygen free radical scavenging and reduced pathological alterations in the brain.Hematoxylin-eosin staining results showed that Radix Ilicis Pubescentis total flavonoids reduced hippocampal neuronal damage and cerebral vascular injury in this mouse model of transient ischemic attack.These results suggest that the antioxidant effects of Radix Ilicis Pubescentis total flavonoids alleviate the damage to brain tissue caused by transient ischemic attack.

Extraction Technology of Total Flavonoids from Pueraria lobata (Willd.) Ohwi and Content Determination of Pueraria lobata (Willd.) Ohwi at Different Altitudes

[Objectives]To optimize the extraction technology of total flavonoids from Pueraria lobata( Willd.) Ohwi. [Methods]The ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometry was used to determine the content of total flavonoids in Pueraria lobata( Willd.) Ohwi. With the puerarin as index,the reflux extraction and single factor test were employed to investigate the effects of temperature,time,ethanol concentration and solid-liquid ratio on the content of total flavonoids in Pueraria lobata( Willd.) Ohwi,respectively. Under the optimal extraction technology,the content of total flavonoids in Pueraria lobata( Willd.) Ohwi at different altitudes was determined.[Results] The optimum extraction process was as follows: 70%ethanol; solid-liquid ratio of 1∶ 30; 1 h reflux extraction. Under these conditions,the extraction rate of flavonoids in Pueraria lobata( Willd.) Ohwi was 11. 48%,the total flavonoids content of different kudzu parts was in the order of roots > stems > leaves,and the total flavonoids content of the sample at about an altitude of 1000 m was significantly higher than at the altitudes of 1400 m and 1700 m.[Conclusions]It was suggested that the Pueraria lobata( Willd.) Ohwi should not be cultivated as medicinal plant in too high mountains,and the stems and leaves of Pueraria lobata( Willd.) Ohwi could be used as raw materials for extracting total flavonoids.

Optimization of Extraction Process and Content Determination of Total Flavonoids from Sanguisorbae Radix and Carbonized Sanguisorba Root by Orthogonal Experimental Design

[Objectives] To optimize the extraction process of total flavonoids from Sanguisorbae Radix and carbonized Sanguisorba root,compare quality of different batches of Sanguisorbae Radix,study the effects of processing on the content of flavonoids,and provide scientific basis for reasonable utilization of Sanguisorbae Radix. [Methods] Test samples were prepared by heating,refluxing,and extraction,the extraction process was optimized by orthogonal experiment design,color was developed by NaNO_2-Al( NO_3)3-NaOH,and total flavonoids were measured by UV method at the wavelength of 510 nm. [Results] The linear relationship of rutin was excellent in the concentration range of 0. 1248 mg/mL-0. 5712 mg/mL,R^2= 0. 9997; the average recovery was 99. 67% and the RSD was 0. 70%. The optimum extraction conditions were as follows: the volume fraction of ethanol was 50%,the extraction temperature was 90℃,the extraction time was 90 min,and the solid-to-liquid ratio was 1∶ 20( g/mL). [Conclusions] After optimization of the extraction process,the extraction rate of total flavonoids in samples of Sanguisorbae Radix was significantly increased; there was certain difference in the content of total flavonoids between different batches of Sanguisorbae Radix and processed products; the total flavonoids significantly declines in carbonized sanguisorba root,and the influence of processing on its curative effect was to be further studied.

Content Determination of Flavonoids in Radix Millettiae Speciosae from Different Areas of Guangxi

[Objectives] This study aimed to investigate the quality of Radix Millettiae Speciosae at different planting sites in Guangxi. [Methods] The content of flavonoids in Radix Millettiae Speciosae was determined by HPLC. The chromatographic conditions were as follows: column, ZORBAX SB-C_(18); mobile phase, acetonitrile-0.1% glacial acetic acid(42∶58); detection wavelength, 250(formononetin) and 310(maackiain) nm; flow rate, 1.0 mL/min; and column temperature, 30℃. [Results] Under the chromatographic conditions above, formononetin and maackiain could be completely separated from impurities. The standard curve had a good linear relationship(R^2>0.999 9). The precision and stability met analysis requirements. The average recovery rates were 97.53% and 98.54%, respectively, and the RSD values were 2.03% and 1.88%, respectively, indicating that the established method has good reproducibility, durability and accuracy. The content of formononetin was highest in the Radix Millettiae Speciosae from Yongning District, Nanning City, and the content of maackiain was highest in the Radix Millettiae Speciosae from Xichang Town, Hepu County. [Conclusions] The HPLC method established in this study is simple, accurate and stable. It can be used as a quality control method for Radix Millettiae Speciosae. The contents of flavonoids in Radix Millettiae Speciosae from Yongning District, Nanning City and Xichang Town, Hepu County were higher than those from other planting bases.

Response surface optimization of microwave-assisted extraction for HPLC-fluorescence determination of puerarin and daidzein in Radix Puerariae thomsonii

Microwave-assisted extraction was optimized with response surface methodology for HPLC-fluorescence determination of puerarin and daidzein in Radix Puerariae thomsonii.The optimized extraction procedure was achieved by soaking the sample with 70% methanol（1∶15,v/v）for 30 min,and then microwave irradiation for 11 min at a power of 600 W.Coupling the extraction process with HPLC-fluorescence presented good recovery,satisfactory precision,and good linear relation.Compared with a method from the Chinese Pharmacopoeia,the proposed method enables higher extraction efficiency and more accurate analytical results.It can be of potential value in quality assessment of Radix Puerariae thomsonii medicinal materials.

Determination and Analysis of Flavonoid Contents in Different Batches of Dried Radix Rehmannia and Prepared Radix Rehmanniae

[Objectives] This study was conducted to understand Radix Rehmannia quality and provide reference for selection in application. [Methods] The contents of flavonoids in five batches of commercially available samples were determined by ultraviolet spectrophotometry, and the precision and reproducibility of the determination method were analyzed. [Results] The contents of flavonoids in different batches of Radix Rehmannia samples were not completely the same, but the differences were not large overall. The experiment results have good reliability. As a medicinal plant, the climate and soil conditions of the producing areas would have an impact on the quality of Radix Rehmannia. [Conclusions] The contents of flavonoids determined in Radix Rehmannia were relatively stable, the quality was basically the same, and the overall quality was good.

葛斛调脂方干预代谢综合征患者的随机对照研究

背景 全球约有1/4的人患有代谢综合征(Met S)。近年来我国Met S患病率也呈逐年上升趋势,对生命健康造成严重威胁。中医药治疗Met S有着多靶点、多环节的优势,但目前临床上缺乏高质量的随机对照研究和真实世界研究。目的 观察葛斛调脂方对Met S患者腰围(WC)、体质量、体脂率(BFP)及糖脂代谢的影响。方法2021年6月—2022年11月前瞻性选取上海中医药大学附属龙华医院门诊就诊及住院的84例Met S患者为研究对象。应用SPSS 25.0统计软件给定随机种子数,将受试者随机分为葛斛组(42例)和对照组(42例)。葛斛组应用葛斛调脂方颗粒治疗(葛根6 g,铁皮石斛6 g),患者空腹早晚各1次,1包/次,冲服,连续服用8周。对照组应用安慰剂颗粒干预,患者空腹早晚各1次,1包/次,冲服,连续服用8周。干预期间对两组患者进行相同的健康宣教(包括膳食方案和运动处方的指导)。干预8周后对比分析两组患者的WC、体质量、BMI、BFP、三酰甘油(TG)、总胆固醇(TC)、高密度脂蛋白胆固醇(HDL-C)、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇(LDL-C)、空腹血糖(FBG)。结果 最终葛斛组41例、对照组41例完成8周的干预研究。治疗前两组患者WC、体质量、BMI、BFP比较,差异均无统计学意义(P>0.05)。两组治疗前后WC、体质量、BMI、BFP差值比较,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05)。治疗前两组患者的TG、TC、HDL-C、LDL-C、FBG比较,差异均无统计学意义(P>0.05)。两组治疗前后TG、TC、FBG差值比较,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05)。在治疗期间和随访结束后两组均未发生严重不良反应事件。结论 葛斛调脂方能较好地改善MetS患者的WC、体质量、BMI、BFP、TG、TC及FBG,且安全性较好。

超声波法提取恒山黄芪叶茶黄酮最佳工艺研究

目的探索超声波法提取黄芪叶茶中黄酮的最优方法。方法利用超声波辅助提取法结合单因素试验和正交试验,确定提取恒山黄芪叶茶中黄酮的最佳提取工艺。结果因素影响力排序:料液比>乙醇浓度>超声波功率>提取温度>提取时间。得到最佳提取工艺为:料液比为1∶35 g/mL,乙醇浓度为60%,超声波功率为280 W,提取温度为60℃,提取时间为45 min。结论在此最佳条件下,恒山黄芪叶茶中总黄酮的提取率为14.302%。

黄芪黄酮类成分及其药理作用研究

黄芪是豆科黄芪属多年生草本植物。中药黄芪历史悠久,作为中国传统中药之一,具有应用范围广、药用价值高等特点。黄芪的化学成分主要包含黄芪甲苷、黄芪多糖、黄芪黄酮、氨基酸等。近年来药理研究表明黄芪中黄酮类成分具有抗肿瘤、抗炎、抗氧化、抗病毒、免疫调节、降血糖等多种药理作用,其抗肿瘤作用效果显著,成为近年来学者们广泛研究的热点。文章对黄芪黄酮的化学成分及其药理作用相关文献进行搜集、检索、查阅、归纳与整理,并进行系统概括与总结,以期为黄芪黄酮类成分进一步开发与利用提供理论依据。

吴伟基于“瘀毒致悸”辨治房颤思路探讨

吴伟教授在辨治房颤过程中,创新性地提出“心-血-脉三位一体论”与“瘀毒致悸”论。认为房颤由瘀毒所致,其病位在心-血-脉,核心病机为“气滞血瘀毒成”。治法当紧扣病机,提倡“从瘀论治,兼以解毒,缓消其毒”,且认为理气活血化瘀便是解毒。方拟桃仁红花煎加减,主要组成药物有桃仁、红花、川芎、延胡索、生地黄、赤芍、丹参、大枣、葛根、甘松、牡蛎、茯苓、玉竹等,并根据岭南之气候与房颤多影响情志之特点,去方中辛烈之品,而加特色解毒药对葛根-甘松以辨病而治。吴伟教授治疗房颤还常配合沐足、针灸、导引等中医外治法和保健法,全面调理,缓消其毒,以复其元。吴伟教授治疗房颤采用中医药精准干预,综合调理,可达到促进症状消失及恢复窦性心律、改善体质等目的,其辨治思路可为房颤的中医药治疗提供参考。

基于GEO数据库结合网络药理学及分子对接逆向挖掘干预肝癌的中药

基于GEO(gene expression omnibus)数据库结合网络药理学及分子对接,从分子水平逆向挖掘具有抗肝癌活性的中药。通过GEO、GeneCards、OMIM和TTD等疾病靶点数据库获取肝癌的重要靶点。利用STRING平台获取核心靶点,结合TCMIP(integrative pharmacology-based research platform of traditonal Chinese medicine)和TCMID(traditional Chinese medicine integraive database)数据库筛选核心成分,采用TCMSP(traditonal Chinese medicine system pharmacology database and analysis platform)数据库筛选核心中药,通过分子对接和细胞实验验证筛选结果。从疾病靶点数据库得到398个肝癌的重要靶点,进一步筛选出8个核心靶点、11个核心成分和1味核心中药葛根;分子对接结果表明葛根的3个核心成分(槲皮素、黄岑素、豆甾醇)可以与部分核心靶点(CDK1、CDC20)自发地结合;细胞实验结果表明葛根提取物可以有效抑制肝癌细胞HepG2的增殖。该结果可以为葛根的研究与开发提供参考,为葛根抗肝癌活性成分的挖掘提供理论依据。

中药葛根防治糖尿病的作用机制和研究进展

糖尿病患病率高且并发症多,严重影响各种疾病的预后。在治疗上,降糖西药不良反应较多,限制临床治疗。中医药对于防治糖尿病经验丰富,可通过多靶点多通路降低患者血糖。中药葛根作为辛凉解表药,有清热、生津、止渴之效,药理学研究其具有抗氧化应激反应、减少炎症因子积聚、增强胰岛素敏感性、减少胰岛素抵抗等作用。葛根治疗糖尿病的主要活性成分为葛根素,临床研究表明以葛根素、葛根药对、葛根类方辨证论治各种糖尿病患者,疗效显著。近年来研究发现葛根素、葛根药对及葛根类方可以通过多靶点、多通路抑制氧化应激反应、调节体内炎症因子水平、减少AGEs的形成与累积、抑制胰岛β细胞凋亡、增加胰岛素敏感性、减少胰岛素抵抗等多种途径达到降低血糖,控制并改善各种并发症。文章旨在通过梳理相关文献,从葛根素、葛根药对、葛根类方3个方面总结归纳中药葛根防治糖尿病的作用机制和研究进展。

黄力辨治冠心病经皮冠状动脉介入术后再发心绞痛的用药规律探讨

【目的】运用数据挖掘方法分析黄力教授辨治冠心病经皮冠状动脉介入术(PCI)后再发心绞痛的用药规律。【方法】收集黄力教授于中日友好医院门诊治疗冠心病PCI术后再发心绞痛的有效病例的处方资料。采用SPSS Statistics 26.0软件和SPSS Modeler 18.0软件对处方中药进行频次统计、功效和性味归经分析、关联规则分析、聚类分析和因子分析。【结果】共得到中药处方344首,涉及中药209味,累计用药频次为5874次。以出现频次居前30位的中药为高频中药,其中使用频次>100次的中药依次为黄芪、川芎、葛根、红景天、三七、茯苓、降香、白术、莪术、三棱、山药、陈皮、法半夏、党参、甘草等。高频中药的功效归类以活血化瘀药和补气药最多。药物的药性以温性、平性和寒性为主,药味偏甘、辛、苦,归经以归脾经、肺经、肝经为主。挖掘得到关联规则30条,聚类组合5类,公因子11组。【结论】黄力教授治疗心血管疾病常以气、血、水理论为指导,尤重气机升降;认为气虚血瘀为PCI术后再发心绞痛的基本病机,治疗多以益气活血化瘀立法,五脏同调、寒温并用,辅以益气健脾、化痰利水、安神宁心、行气散结、破血逐瘀之品。