Radix Paeoniae Alba attenuates Radix Bupleuri-induced hepatotoxicity by modulating gut microbiota to alleviate the inhibition of saikosaponins on glutathione synthetase

Radix Bupleuri(RB)is commonly used to treat depression,but it can also lead to hepatotoxicity after longterm use.In many anti-depression prescriptions,RB is often used in combination with Radix Paeoniae Alba(RPA)as an herb pair.However,whether RPA can alleviate RB-induced hepatotoxicity remain unclear.In this work,the results confirmed that RB had a dose-dependent antidepressant effect,but the optimal antidepressant dose caused hepatotoxicity.Notably,RPA effectively reversed RB-induced hepatotoxicity.Afterward,the mechanism of RB-induced hepatotoxicity was confirmed.The results showed that saikosaponin A and saikosaponin D could inhibit GSH synthase(GSS)activity in the liver,and further cause liver injury through oxidative stress and nuclear factor kappa B(NF-kB)/NOD-like receptor thermal protein domain associated protein 3(NLRP3)pathway.Furthermore,the mechanisms by which RPA attenuates RBinduced hepatotoxicity were investigated.The results demonstrated that RPA increased the abundance of intestinal bacteria with glycosidase activity,thereby promoting the conversion of saikosaponins to saikogenins in vivo.Different from saikosaponin A and saikosaponin D,which are directly combined with GSS as an inhibitor,their deglycosylation conversion products saikogenin F and saikogenin G exhibited no GSS binding activity.Based on this,RPA can alleviate the inhibitory effect of saikosaponins on GSS activity to reshape the liver redox balance and further reverse the RB-induced liver inflammatory response by the NFkB/NLRP3 pathway.In conclusion,the present study suggests that promoting the conversion of saikosaponins by modulating gut microbiota to attenuate the inhibition of GSS is the potential mechanism by which RPA prevents RB-induced hepatotoxicity.

Saikosaponin D inhibits proliferation and induces apoptosis via C/EBPβ-p53 signal pathway in human hepatoma HepG2 cells

Objective To investigate the anticancer effects and detailed mechanisms of Saikosaponin D(SSD)in human hepatoma HepG2 cells.Methods Cell proliferation and apoptosis were tested by MTT assay and Annexin-V/PI assay respectively.The expressions of CCAAT enhancer binding protein β(C/EBPβ)and p53 were detected by RT-PCR and Western blotting.Results SSD inhibited cell proliferation in a dose-dependent manner and induced apoptosis at the concentration of 5.0 mg/L.SSD significantly increased the mRNA and protein levels of C/EBPβ and p53 in a dose-dependent manner.Conclusion SSD exerts its anticancer effect by inhibiting cell proliferation and inducing apoptosis partly through C/EBPβ-p53 signal pathway in HepG2 cells.

Saikosaponin a increases interleukin-10 expression and inhibits scar formation after sciatic nerve injury

Nerve scarring after peripheral nerve injury can severely hamper nerve regeneration and functional recovery.Further,the anti-inflammatory cytokine,interleukin-10,can inhibit nerve scar formation.Saikosaponin a（SSa） is a monomer molecule extracted from the Chinese medicine,Bupleurum.SSa can exert anti-inflammatory effects in spinal cord injury and traumatic brain injury.However,it has not been shown whether SSa can play a role in peripheral nerve injury.In this study,rats were randomly assigned to three groups.In the sham group,the left sciatic nerve was directly sutured after exposure.In the sciatic nerve injury（SNI） ＋ SSa and SNI groups,the left sciatic nerve was sutured and continuously injected daily with SSa（10 mg/kg） or an equivalent volume of saline for 7 days.Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay results demonstrated that at 7 days after injury,interleukin-10 level was considerably higher in the SNI ＋ SSa group than in the SNI group.Masson staining and western blot assay demonstrated that at 8 weeks after injury,type I and III collagen content was lower and nerve scar formation was visibly less in the SNI ＋ SSa group compared with the SNI group.Simultaneously,sciatic functional index and nerve conduction velocity were improved in the SNI ＋ SSa group compared with the SNI group.These results confirm that SSa can increase the expression of the anti-inflammatory factor,interleukin-10,and reduce nerve scar formation to promote functional recovery of injured sciatic nerve.

Comparative permeability of three saikosaponins and corresponding saikogenins in Caco-2 model by a validated UHPLC-MS/MS method

Saikosaponins(SSs)are the main active components extracted from Bupleuri Radix(BR)which has been used as an important herbal drug in Asian countries for thousands of years.It has been reported that the intestinal bacteria plays an important role in the in vivo disposal of oral SSs.Although the deglycosylated derivatives(saikogenins,SGs)of SSs metabolized by the intestinal bacteria are speculated to be the main components absorbed into the blood after oral administration of SSs,no studies have been reported on the characteristics of SGs for their intestinal absorption,and those for SSs are also limited.Therefore,a rapid UHPLC-MS/MS method was developed to investigate and compare the apparent permeability of three common SSs(SSa,SSd,SSb2)and their corresponding SGs(SGF,SGG,SGD)through a bidirectional transport experiment on Caco-2 cell monolayer model.The method was validated according to the latest FDA guidelines and applied to quantify the six analytes in transport medium samples extracted via liquid-liquid extraction(LLE).The apparent permeability coefficient(Papp)determined in this study indicated that the permeability of SGs improved to the moderate class compared to the corresponding parent compounds,predicting a higher in vivo absorption.Moreover,the efflux ratio(ER)value demonstrated an active uptake of SSd and the three SGs,while a passive diffusion of SSa and SSb2.

Saikosaponins-b suppresses tumor growth and angiogenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma by regulating VEGF/ERK/HIF-1α signal pathway

OBJECTIVE Angiogenesis therapy has attracted interest as a potential treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC).In this study,we investigated the anti-proliferative activities and antiangiogenesis effects of saikosaponins(SS)-b on hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)and its regulation on VEGF/ERK/HIF-1 αsignal pathway.METHODS H22 hepatoma-bearing mice model and HepG-2 cells were used to study the anti-tumor and anti-angiogenesis effects of SS-b in vivo and in vitro.Pathological change of tumor tissue was observed by HE staining,the microvascular changes were detected by immunohistochemical method.The effects of SS-b on angiogenesis were examined by using the chick embryo chorioallantoic membrane(CAM)model.The effects of SS-b on proliferation,migration and invasion were investigated by MTT assay,scratch wound healing assay and transwell assay inhuman umbilical vein endothelial cell(HUVEC)and HepG2 cells in vitro.Vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF),matrix metalloproteinase-2/9(MMP-2/9),hypoxia-inducible factor-1α(HIF-1α)expression and the phosphorylation of extracellular regulated kinase(ERK)were analyzed using RT-PCR and Westernblot.RESULTS SS-b effectively inhibited the tumor growth of H22 mice in vivo.The inhibitory rate of tumor was 49.1%,50.7%,66.1%in SS-b 5,10 and 20 mg·kg-1group respectively.HE staining results showed that SS-b induced tumor necrosis and nuclear dissolution in H22 mice.Moreover,SS-b also reduced the number of microvessels of tumor tissue in H22 mice significantly and suppressed the angiogenesis of CAM induced by b-FGF.SS-b had an obvious inhibitory effect on cell proliferation,migration and invasion of HUVEC cells and HepG-2 cells.These effects were associated with downregulation of the expression of MMP2/9 and suppression of VEGF/ERK/HIF-1αsignaling in H22 mice and Hep-G2 cells.CONCLUSION Our findings showed that SS-b exerts anti-tumor effects by inhibiting tumor angiogenesis via regulating VEGF/ERK/HIF-1α signal pathway in vivo and in vitro.

Three New Saikosaponin-like Compounds from Polycarpon prostratum

Three new saikosaponin-like compounds (named prostratoside F-H) were isolated from the whole plants of Polycarpon prostratum (Forssk.) Aschers. et Schwein. ex Aschers. By detailed spectroscopic analysis, their structures were determined as 13 beta, 28-epoxy-16-keto-22 alpha, 23-dihydroxyolean-11-en-3 beta -yl-alpha -L-arabinopyranoside, 13 beta, 28-epoxy-16-keto-23-hydroxy-olean-11-en-3 beta -yl-alpha -L-arabinopyranoside and 13 beta, 28-epoxy-16-keto-22 alpha -hydroxyolean-11-en-3 beta -yl-alpha -L-arabinopyranoside, respectively.

柴胡中Saikosaponin b_2的提取工艺研究

目的优选柴胡中Saikosaponin b2的提取工艺。方法采用高效液相色谱法测定Saikosaponin b2含量。以提取量为指标,用正交设计方法优选最佳提取工艺。结果最佳提取工艺为:用30%乙醇,提取3次,每次1.5 h,溶剂用量为8倍。结论优选得到的工艺稳定可行,可作为Saikosaponin b2的提取工艺。

Saikosaponin v-2 from Bupleurum chinense

Saikosaponin v-2(1). was isolated li om the roots of the title plant and thc structure was identified on rhs basis of spectral anal? sis. Saikosaponin v-2 is a new compound. which was identified as 3 beta .16 alpha .23.28-tetrahydroxy-olean-11.13(18)-dien-30-oic acid-3-O-beta -D-glucopyranosyl- (1 -->2)glucopyranosyl-(1 -->3)-beta -D-fucopyranosol-30-O-xylitol ester.

Effect of saikosaponin A on Treg and Th17 immune balance in depressive rats

Objective:To investigate the Effect of saikosaponin A on Treg and Th17 immune balance in depressive rats.Methods:The rat depression model was established with reference to the Katz method,and the rats were randomly divided into control group,model group,western medicine group,and saikosaponin A group.The western medicine group was given 1.2 mg/kg/d of fluoxetine,and the saikosaponin A group was given 25 mg/kg/d of saikosaponin A,while the control group and model group were given the same volume of normal saline.The evaluation of depression in Rats was analyzed by Openfield-test and sugar water preference test.Flow cytometry was used to detect the expression of Th17 and Treg cells.And the expression of IL-17,IL-23,TNF-α,IL-10,TGF-βwere detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA).Results:Compared with the control group,the horizontal exercise score,vertical exercise score,and sugar preference of the model group decreased significantly(P<0.05).Compared with the model group,the above indicators were significantly increased in the western medicine group and saikosaponin A group(P<0.05).Flow cytometry showed that compared with the control group,the Th17 cells,Th17/Treg cell ratio in model group increased significantly,whereas the Treg cells decreased significantly(P<0.05).Compared with the model group,The Th17 cells and Th17/Treg ratio in western medicine group and saikosaponin A group decreased,while the Treg cells increased significantly(P<0.05).ELISA showed that compared with control group,the serum levels of IL-17,IL-23 and TNF-αin model group increased,while the levels of IL-10 and TGF-βdecreased(P<0.05).Compared with model group,the levels of IL-17,IL-23 and TNF-αdecreased,while the levels of IL-10 and TGF-βincreased in western medicine group and saikosaponin A group(P<0.05).Conclusion:Saikosaponin A can reduce the degree of depression by regulating the imbalance of Th17/Treg cells and the secretion of inflammatory cytokines in depressed rats.

Saikosaponin-b regulates the proliferation and apoptosis of HepG2 cells by targeting the MACC1/c-Met/Akt signaling pathway

OBJECTIVE Metastasis-associated in colon cancer-1(MACC1)is an oncogene that has been newly identified.It promotes tumor proliferation and invasion via the MET pathway.Our study investigated the effects of Saikosaponin-b(SS-b)on the proliferation and apoptosis of HepG2 cells and its regulation on MACC1/c-Met/Akt signaling pathway.METHODS HepG2 cells were treated with SS-b(10-800 g·L^(-1))for 48 h in vitro.The CCK-8 assay was used to assess cell proliferation,and cell apoptosis was determined by Hoechst33258 staining,AnnexinⅤ/PI staining and caspase 3 assay.RT-PCR was used to examine the expression of MACC1,c-MET and hepatocyte growth factor(HGF)mR NA.MACC1 protein was detected by Western blot and immunohistochemistry.The protein expressions of p-cMET,c-MET,p-AKT,AKT,p-BAD,BAD were measured by Western blot.RESULTS SS-b inhibited the growth of HepG2 cells in dose-dependent way and induced cell apoptosis significantly.HepG2 cells showed karyopyknosis,fragmentation and fluorescence highlight in SS-b treatment group.FCM results showed that apoptosis rate of HepG2 cells increased with SS-b concentration.The immunofluorescence results showed that the MACC1 expression decreased significantly in HepG2 cells treated with SS-b.The expression levels of MACC1,c-MET and HGF mR NA in HepG2 cells were significantly inhibited by SS-b.SS-b also significantly decreased the protein expressions of MACC1,p-c-MET and p-AKT while increased the expression of p-BAD and caspase 3 in HepG2 cells(P<0.05).CONCLUSION SS-b inhibited the proliferation and induced the apoptosis of HepG2 cells by targeting the MACC1/c-Met/Akt signaling pathway.

Saikosaponin A induces apoptosis and upregulates autophagy in Huh7 cells

Objective: It is discussed whether saikosaponin A induces apoptosis of human hepatoma Huh7 cells is related to the change of autophagy level.Methods: The effects of different concentrations of SSA on proliferation and apoptosis of Huh7 cells were detected by MTT and flow cytometry, and then constructed recombinant plasmid pEGFP-N1-LC3B and transfected into Huh7 cells. After intervened by SSA culture medium, the autophagy level was observed under confocal microscope. The expression of apoptosis proteins Bax, Bcl-2, PCNA and autophagy-related proteins LC3B, Beclin1, and Apg12-Apg5 were detected by Western Blot. Results: SSA can significantly inhibit the proliferation of Huh7 cells, promote apoptosis, increase the number of autophagy bodies in the cytoplasm, up-regulate the expression of Bax, LC3B-II, Beclin1, Apg12-Apg5 and down-regulate the expression of Bcl-2, PCNA. Conclusion:SSA induced apoptosis of Huh7 cells in vitro and upregulated the autophagy level.

Inhibitory effects of saikosaponin-d on CCl_4-induced hepatic fibrogenesis in rats

AIM: To investigate the suppressive effect of saikosaponin-d (SSd) on hepatic fibrosis in rats induced by CCl4 injections in combination with alcohol and high fat, low protein feeding and its relationship with the expression of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interleukins-6 (IL-6). METHODS: Hepatic fibrosis models were induced by subcutaneous injection of CCl4 at a dosage of 3 mL/kg in rats. At the same time, rats in treatment groups were injected intraperitoneally with SSd at different doses (1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 mg/kg) once daily for 6 wk in combination with CCl4, while the control group received olive oil instead of CCl4. At the end of the experiment, rats were anesthetized and killed (except for 8 rats which died during the experiment; 2 from the model group, 3 in high-dose group, 1 in medium-dose group and 2 in low- dose group). Hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining and Van Gieson staining were used to examine the changes in liver pathology. The levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), triglyeride (TG), albumin (ALB), globulin (GLB), hyaluronic acid (HA) and laminin (LN) in serum and the content of hydroxyproline (HYP) in liver were measured by biochemical examinations and radioimmuneoassay, respectively. In addition, the expression of TNF-α and IL-6 in liver homogenate was evaluated by enzyme- linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and the levels of NF-κBp65 and I-κBα in liver tissue were analyzed by Western blotting. RESULTS: Both histological examination and Van Gieson staining demonstrated that SSd could attenuate the area and extent of necrosis and reduce the scores of liver fibrosis. Similarly, the levels of ALT, TG, GLB, HA, andLN in serum, and the contents of HYP, TNF-α and IL-6 in liver were all significantly increased in model group in comparison with those in control group. Whereas, the treatment with SSd markedly reduced all the above parameters compared with the model group, especially in the medium group (ALT: 412 ± 94.5 IU/L vs 113.76 ± 14.91 IU/L, TG: 0.95 ± 0.16 mmol/L vs 0.51 ± 0.06 mmol/L, GLB: 35.62 ± 3.28 g/L vs 24.82 ± 2.73 g/L, HA: 42.15 ± 8.25 ng/mL vs 19.83 ± 3.12 ng/mL, LN: 27.56 ± 4.21 ng/mL vs 13.78 ± 2.57 ng/mL, HYP: 27.32 ± 4.32 μg/mg vs 16.20 ± 3.12 μg/mg, TNF-α: 4.38 ± 0.76 ng/L vs 1.94 ± 0.27 ng/L, IL-6: 28.24 ± 6.37 pg/g vs 12.72 ± 5.26 pg/g, respectively, P < 0.01). SSd also decreased ALB in serum (28.49 ± 4.93 g/L vs 37.51 ± 3.17 g/L, P < 0.05). Moreover, the expression of NF-κB p65 in the liver of treated groups was lower than that in model groups while the expression of I-κBα was higher in treated group than in model group (P < 0.01). The expression of NF-κBp65 and TNF-α had a positive correlation with the level of HA in serum of rats after treatment with CCl4 (r = 0.862, P < 0.01; r = 0.928, P < 0.01, respectively). CONCLUSION: SSd attenuates CCl4-induced hepatic fibrosis in rats, which may be related to its effects of hepato-protective and anti-inflammation properties, the down-regulation of liver TNF-α, IL-6 and NF-κBp65 expression and the increased I-κBα activity in liver.

Saikosaponin D improves nonalcoholic fatty liver disease via gut microbiota-bile acid metabolism pathway

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD)is the main cause of chronic liver disease worldwide.Bupleurum is widely used in the treatment of non-alcoholic fatty liver,and saikosaponin D(SSD)is one of the main active components of Bupleurum.The purpose of this study was to investigate the efficacy of SSD in the treatment of NAFLD and to explore the mechanism of SSD in the improvement of NAFLD based on“gut-liver axis”.Our results showed that SSD dose-dependently alleviated high fat diet-induced weight gain in mice,improved insulin sensitivity,and also reduced liver lipid accumulation and injury-related biomarkers aspartate aminotransferase(AST)and alanine aminotransferase(ALT).Further exploration found that SSD inhibited the mRNA expression levels of farnesoid X receptor(Fxr),small heterodimer partner(Shp),recombinant fibroblast growth factor 15(Fgf15)and apical sodium dependent bile acid transporter(Asbt)in the intestine,suggesting that SSD improved liver lipid metabolism by inhibiting intestinal FXR signaling.SSD can significantly reduce the gut microbiota associated with bile salt hydrolase(BSH)expression,such as Clostridium.Decreased BSH expression reduced the ratio of unconjugated to conjugated bile acids,thereby inhibiting the intestinal FXR.These data demonstrated that SSD ameliorated NAFLD potentially through the gut microbiota-bile acidintestinal FXR pathway and suggested that SSD is a promising therapeutic agent for the treatment of NAFLD.

Localization and Dynamic Change of Saikosaponin in Root of Bupleurum chinense

Anatomical, histochemical and phytochemical methods were used to investigate the structure, the localization and content changes of total saikosaponin and saikosaponin-a of the roots of Bupleurum chinense DC. at different developmental stages. Results showed that saikosaponin was mainly distributed in pericycle and primary phloem in the young root; but in the mature root, it was mainly distributed in vascular cambium and secondary phloem. During the whole growth period from the pre-blossom, blossom, fruit, and fruit mature periods until the pre-withering period, it was in the fruit mature period that both the total saikosaponin content and the saikosaponin-a content reached the highest level. So the last 20 d of October was considered as the right collecting season for the drug of B. chinense. In addition, the quality of 1-year-old drug was better than that of 2-year-old drug due to its higher saikosaponin content. On the other hand, judging from the external characteristics of the drug, the one with an acerose taproot and more lateral roots was of better quality. The results offered theoretical bases for selecting medicinal material of high quality and determining the most appropriate harvesting stage and part of B. chinense.

柴胡皂苷A调节cAMP/PKA/CREB信号通路对失眠大鼠的改善作用及机制研究

目的基于cAMP/PKA/CREB通路探讨柴胡皂苷A对失眠大鼠的改善作用及机制。方法将75只SD大鼠随机分为空白组、模型组、柴胡皂苷A低剂量组(0.625 mg·kg^(-1))、柴胡皂苷A高剂量组(2.500 mg·kg^(-1))、艾司唑仑组(0.1 mg·kg^(-1)),每组15只。采用腹腔注射苯丙氨酸(PCPA,0.1 mg·kg^(-1))复制失眠大鼠模型。观察大鼠一般情况及昼夜节律;采用戊巴比妥钠翻正实验测定大鼠睡眠潜伏期及睡眠持续时间;观测大鼠睡眠时相,记录慢波睡眠第1期(SWS1)、慢波睡眠第2期(SWS2)、快速眼球运动睡眠期(REMS)时长以及总睡眠时长(TST);qRT-PCR法测定下丘脑节律基因Clock、Bmal1 mRNA及钟控基因Rev-erbα、RorαmRNA的表达水平;免疫荧光法测定海马组织NeuN表达水平;ELISA法测定脑组织中的cAMP水平;Western Blot法测定脑组织中Clock、Bmal1、Rev-erbα、Rorα及cAMP/PKA/CREB通路相关蛋白表达水平。结果与空白组比较,模型组大鼠昼伏夜出的节律紊乱,极度兴奋,易激惹,睡眠减少;睡眠潜伏期明显延长(P<0.05),睡眠持续时间及SWS1、SWS2、REMS、TST均明显缩短(P<0.05);神经元排列紊乱,NeuN阳性神经元IOD值明显降低(P<0.05);脑组织Clock、Bmal1、Rev-erbα、RorαmRNA及蛋白表达水平明显降低(P<0.05);脑组织cAMP、p-PKA/PKA、p-CREB/CREB蛋白表达水平明显降低(P<0.05)。与模型组比较,给药组大鼠的攻击性明显减弱,昼伏夜出有节律性,活动减少,睡眠增多;睡眠潜伏期明显缩短(P<0.05),睡眠持续时间及SWS1、SWS2、REMS、TST均明显延长(P<0.05);神经元排列紊乱情况有所恢复,NeuN阳性神经元IOD值明显升高(P<0.05);脑组织Clock、Bmal1、Rev-erbα、RorαmRNA及蛋白表达水平明显升高(P<0.05);脑组织cAMP、p-PKA/PKA、p-CREB/CREB蛋白表达水平明显升高(P<0.05)。结论柴胡皂苷A可能通过激活cAMP/PKA/CREB通路改善失眠大鼠的昼夜节律。

电子束辐照对柴胡中21种禁用农药残留降解率及柴胡有效成分的影响

为探明电子束辐照对柴胡中21种禁用农药残留降解及柴胡有效成分的影响,采用4、6、8、10 kGy电子束处理含有21种禁用农药残留的柴胡样品,利用气相色谱-质谱联用(GC-MS/MS)技术分析不同辐照剂量处理后柴胡中21种禁用农药含量的变化,并利用高效液相色谱法(HPLC)测定柴胡有效成分含量的变化。结果表明,随辐照剂量的增加,柴胡中21种禁用农药的降解率升高,最高降解率在25.58%~56.61%。其中10 kGy辐照处理柴胡中甲基对硫磷、氟虫腈砜、氟虫腈、久效磷的降解率显著高于8 kGy辐照处理,而其他17种农药的降解率在8 kGy与10 kGy辐照处理间差异不显著。此外,不同剂量辐照处理后柴胡中柴胡皂苷a、d含量无明显变化。综合考虑成本因素认为,8 kGy电子束辐照能有效降解柴胡中21种禁用农药残留,对柴胡中有效成分含量无明显影响,可为辐照降解柴胡中的21种农药提供技术支持。

柴胡皂苷D对高尿酸血症大鼠尿酸及相关酶活性的影响

目的:探讨柴胡皂苷D对高尿酸血症大鼠体内尿酸水平及相关酶活性的影响。方法:柴胡皂苷D用0.9%氯化钠溶液溶解,配制成5、10、20 mg/mL药液。将50只SD大鼠随机分为对照组、模型组及柴胡皂苷D大、中、小剂量组。除对照组外,其余大鼠每天上午灌胃腺嘌呤0.2 g/kg+乙胺丁醇0.25 g/kg,建立高尿酸血症模型。柴胡皂苷D各剂量组大鼠均以10 mL/kg的剂量灌胃给药,对照组大鼠与模型组大鼠灌胃同等剂量0.9%氯化钠溶液。检测给药前、给药后14、21、28 d大鼠血尿酸、尿尿酸以及黄嘌呤氧化酶(XOD)、腺苷脱氨酶(ADA)、肌酐和尿素氮的水平。结果:给药后21 d,与对照组比较,模型组大鼠血尿酸水平明显升高;与模型组相比,柴胡皂苷D中剂量组血尿酸水平显著下降,差异均具有统计学意义(P<0.05);给药后28 d,与模型组相比,柴胡皂苷D大剂量组、中剂量组血尿酸水平显著下降,中剂量组及小剂量组大鼠尿尿酸水平显著降低;柴胡皂苷D各剂量组大鼠的ADA、XOD、肌酐及尿素氮水平均显著下降,差异均具有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论:柴胡皂苷D可以通过降低ADA以及XOD水平,抑制尿酸生成,起到降尿酸的作用,具有显著的肾脏保护功能。

基于细胞代谢组学的柴胡皂苷b2对皮质酮诱导PC12细胞损伤的保护作用研究

目的研究柴胡皂苷b2(SSb2)对皮质酮(CORT)诱导PC12细胞损伤的保护作用及其机制。方法①将细胞分为细胞对照组(RPMI-1640培养基培养24 h),CORT(100~800μmol·L^(-1)孵育24 h)组和SSb2(1.5625,3.125,6.25,12.5,25,50和100μmol·L^(-1)孵育24 h)组,MTT法检测细胞存活率。②将细胞分为细胞对照组(RPMI-1640培养基培养24 h),模型组(CORT 400μmol·L^(-1)孵育24 h)和模型+SSb2组(SSb21.5625,3.125,6.25,12.5和25μmol·L^(-1)预处理3 h,去上清,然后加入CORT 400μmol·L^(-1)及对应浓度SSb2共孵育24 h)。MTT法检测细胞存活率,微板法检测PC12细胞乳酸脱氢酶(LDH)释放率。③将细胞分为细胞对照组、模型组和模型+SSb212.5μmol·L^(-1)组,采用AnnexinV-FITC/PI流式细胞术检测细胞凋亡;基于超高效液相色谱-四级杆-飞行时间质谱(UPLC-Q-TOF-MS)的代谢组学技术检测PC12细胞代谢轮廓变化;比色法检测谷氨酸含量和谷氨酰胺酶活性。结果①与细胞对照组相比,当CORT浓度为400μmol·L^(-1)时,细胞存活率降低至(55±6)%(P<0.01);SSb2浓度>50μmol·L^(-1)时,对PC12细胞有显著的细胞毒性(P<0.01)。②与细胞对照组相比,模型组细胞存活率显著降低(P<0.01),LDH释放率显著升高(P<0.01);与模型组相比,模型+SSb2各浓度组细胞存活率显著升高(P<0.05,P<0.01),LDH释放率显著降低(P<0.01)。③与细胞对照组相比,模型组细胞凋亡率显著升高(P<0.01);与模型组相比,模型+SSb2组细胞凋亡率显著降低(P<0.05)。代谢组学结果表明,SSb2能显著回调谷氨酸、肌酸、N-乙酰天冬氨酸、L-酪氨酸、柠檬酸、L-异亮氨酸、乳酸、谷氨酰胺和胆碱9个差异代谢物。对SSb2调控的关键代谢物进一步富集分析表明,SSb2主要影响5条代谢通路,即D-谷氨酰胺和D-谷氨酸代谢,苯丙氨酸、酪氨酸和色氨酸的生物合成,丙氨酸、天冬氨酸和谷氨酸代谢,酪氨酸代谢和精氨酸生物合成。与细胞对照组相比,模型组谷氨酸含量和谷氨酰胺酶活性显著降低(P<0.01);与模型组相比,模型+SSb2组细胞谷氨酸含量(P<0.01)和谷氨酰胺酶活性显著升高(P<0.05)。结论SSb2对CORT诱导的PC12细胞损伤具有神经保护作用,其机制与抑制细胞凋亡和调节代谢紊乱有关。

柴胡皂甙a减轻戊四氮诱发的皮质酮抑郁模型小鼠的急性癫痫发作:基于小胶质细胞介导的炎症反应

目的探讨柴胡皂甙a(SSa)对皮质酮(CORT)抑郁模型基础上诱发小鼠急性癫痫的干预作用及机制。方法选用雄性SPF C57BL/6J小鼠,使用皮质酮口服给药,制备CORT抑郁模型,之后予戊四氮诱发小鼠急性癫痫发作,并腹腔注射柴胡皂苷a进行干预。根据干预方式的不同将小鼠分成对照组、Epilepsy组、Epilepsy+SSa组、CORT+Epilepsy、CORT+Epilepsy+SSa组,6只/组。利用旷场实验、十字高架实验、强迫游泳实验、糖水偏好实验评估抑郁相关指标,通过ELISA实验检测血皮质酮含量;采用痫性发作分级、海马形态学评估癫痫发作程度;RT-qPCR检测炎症相关因子、免疫荧光实验观察小胶质细胞活化情况。结果成功构建皮质酮诱导的小鼠抑郁模型,小鼠的体质量、糖水偏好率、旷场的总路程、中央格停留时间和路程、开放臂进入次数和开放臂停留时间百分比均降低(P<0.05),强迫游泳不动时间和血清CORT含量增加(P<0.05);与Epilepsy组相比,CORT+Epilepsy组小鼠痫性发作潜伏期缩短,发作次数、发作等级以及发作持续时间都明显增加(P<0.05),海马CA1、CA3区神经元Nissl体表达减少,Iba1阳性细胞的数量增多,同时,海马中IL-1β、IL-10、TNF-α、IFN-γ的表达水平升高。SSa干预后,Epilepsy+SSa组和CORT+Epilepsy+SSa组的癫痫发作潜伏期均延长,发作次数、发作持续时间、发作级别均减少(P<0.05),海马CA1、CA3区神经元的Nissl小体数量均增加、Iba1阳性细胞的数量均有所减少,海马中IL-1β、IL-10、TNF-α、IFN-γ的表达水平均降低(P<0.05)。结论抑郁状态加重了癫痫发作、小胶质细胞活化及炎症水平更高,而柴胡皂甙a可能通过调节小胶质细胞介导的炎症激活,减轻抑郁合并癫痫小鼠的发作。

柴胡解表退热功效相关生物活性指标与柴胡皂苷a、柴胡皂苷d含量相关性分析

目的:寻找与柴胡解表退热功效相关的生物活性指标,并探明此功效的生物活性量化值与柴胡皂苷a(SSa)和柴胡皂苷d (SSd)含量是否具有相关性。方法:采用临床煎药方式获得柴胡水煎液,并通过醇沉去除多糖和蛋白质等大分子物质,得到适宜体外实验的柴胡提取物。从抗炎、抗过敏、抗氧化应激及解热这4类与柴胡解表退热功效相关的体外模型中筛选量效关系明确的生物活性指标,并赋予各项指标不同的权重系数,对7个柴胡样品在各项指标上的作用强弱进行排序打分;分数与相应指标权重的积为该项得分;每项得分之和为该样品解表退热之生物活性量化值;采用CCK-8法检测细胞活力;Griss法检测细胞上清液中一氧化氮(NO)水平;ELISA法测定细胞上清液中肿瘤坏死因子-α (TNF-α)及补体活化水平;铁离子还原能力法(FRAP)测定总抗氧化能力;高效液相色谱法测定柴胡中的SSa和SSd含量。结果:筛选得到4项关联柴胡解表退热功效的量效关系明确的生物活性指标,分别为脂多糖(LPS)诱导RAW264.7细胞分泌NO、LPS诱导THP-1细胞分泌TNF-α、总抗氧化能力及酵母多糖介导的替代途径补体活化。相关性分析显示,7个样品的SSa和SSd总量与解表退热的生物活性量化值不相关。结论:柴胡解表退热可能与其抑制促炎因子(NO)生成、压制内生性致热原(TNF-α)生成、抗氧化及抗补体C5a活化有关,而《中华人民共和国药典》 2020年版柴胡指标性成分SSa和SSd可能并非柴胡该功效的物质基础。