Identification of bioactive anti-angiogenic constitutes targeting tumor endothelial cells in Shenmai Injection using multidimensional pharmacokinetics

OBJECTIVE To identify the bioactive anti-angiogenic constitutes targeting tumor endothelial cells(TECs)in Shenmai Injection(SMI).METHEODS For pharmacokinetic(PK)studies,Balb/c mice harboring human colorectal cancer(LoVo)xenografts were treated with SMI 10 mL·kg^-1 daily for 1 or 8 d.Multidimensional PK profiles of ginsenosides in plasma,subcutaneous tumors,and TECs were investigated.For PD studies,the tumor-bearing mice Intravital multi-photon imaging and CD31 immunofluorescence staining were used to evaluate the number of microves⁃sels and braches.Double staining of CD31 and α-SMA was performed to evaluate pericytes coverage ratios around vessels.ELISA was performed to determine the concentrations of VEGF and FGF in tumor tissues.For synergistic anti-tumor study,the tumor-bearing mice were treated with SMI 10 mL·kg^-1 daily,Rd 5 mg·kg^-1 daily with or without 5-FU 15 mg·kg^-1 every 3 d for 20 d.HPLC-MS/MS was used to determine the concentrations of 5-FU in plasma and tumor tissues.RESULTS SMI decreased the number of microvessels(P<0.05)and vessel branches(P<0.05)and improved vascular pericytes coverage(P<0.05).PK studies showed that the concentrations of protopanaxadiol-type(PPD)ginsenosides(Rb1,Rb2/Rb3,Rc,and Rd)in both,plasma and tumors,were higher than those of protopanaxatriol-type(Rg1 and Re)and oleanane-type(Ro)ginsenosides.Among PPD ginsenosides,Rd exhibited the greatest concentrations in tumors and TECs after repeated injection.In fact,the proportion of Rd in the detectable components of SMI gradually increased in the following order:SMI formula(2.8%),plasma(16.0%),tumor tissues(34.3%),and TECs(40.3%).In vivo bioactivity results showed that Rd 5 mg·kg^-1 daily significantly decreased the number of microvessels(P<0.05)and vessel branches(P<0.05)and increased pericytes coverage(P<0.05)while Rd 0.5 mg·kg^-1 daily,Rb1 and Rg1 had no significant effect on them.Rd 5 mg·kg^-1 suppressed the expression of VEGF and FGF simultaneously.Rd 5 mg·kg^-1 enhanced the antitumor effect of 5-FU via increasing the distribution of 5-FU in tumor tissues(P<0.05)in xenograft mice.CONCLUSION Ginsenoside Rd may be the major bioactive anti-angiogenic constituent targeting TECs after SMI treatment.

Effect and Safety of Guanxinning Tablet(冠心宁片) for Stable Angina Pectoris Patients with Xin(Heart)-Blood Stagnation Syndrome:A Randomized,Multicenter,Placebo-Controlled Trial

Objective: To investigate the effect and safety of Guanxinning Tablet(冠心宁片, GXN) for the treatment of stable angina pectoris patients with Xin(Heart)-blood stagnation syndrome(XBSS). Methods: One hundred and sixty stable angina pectoris patients with XBSS were randomly assigned to receive GXN(80 cases) or placebo(80 cases, Guanxinning simulation tablets, mainly composed of lactose), 4 tablets(0.38 g/tablet), thrice daily for 12 weeks. After treatment, an exercise stress test(treadmill protocol), Chinese medicine(CM) syndrome score, electrocardiogram(ECG), and nitroglycerin withdrawal rate were evaluated and compared in the patients between the two groups. Meanwhile, adverse events(AEs) were evaluated during the whole clinical trial. Results: Compared with the control group, the time extension of exercise duration in the GXN group increased 29.28±17.67 s after treatment(P>0.05);moreover, the change of exercise duration in the GXN group increased 63.10±96.96 s in subgroup analysis(P<0.05). The effective rates of angina pectoris, CM syndrome and ECG as well as nitroglycerin withdrawal rate were 81.33%, 90.67%, 45.76%, and 70.73%, respectively in the GXN group, which were all significantly higher than those in the control group(40.58%, 75.36%, 26.92%, 28.21%, respectively, P<0.05). Conclusion: GXN was a safe and effective treatment for stable angina pectoris patients with XBSS at a dose of 4 tablets, thrice daily.

Identification of bioactive anti-angiogenic components targeting tumor endothelial cells in Shenmai injection using multidimensional pharmacokinetics

Shenmai injection(SMI)is a well-defined herbal preparation that is widely and clinically used as an adjuvant therapy for cancer.Previously,we found that SMI synergistically enhanced the activity of chemotherapy on colorectal cancer by promoting the distribution of drugs in xenograft tumors.However,the underlying mechanisms and bioactive constituents remained unknown.In the present work,the regulatory effects of SMI on tumor vasculature were determined,and the potential anti-angiogenic components targeting tumor endothelial cells(TECs)were identified.Multidimensional pharmacokinetic profiles of ginsenosides in plasma,subcutaneous tumors,and TECs were investigated.The results showed that the concentrations of protopanaxadiol-type(PPD)ginsenosides(Rb1,Rb2/Rb3,Rc,and Rd)in both plasma and tumors,were higher than those of protopanaxatriol-type(Rg1 and Re)and oleanane-type(Ro)ginsenosides.Among PPD-type ginsenosides,Rd exhibited the greatest concentrations in tumors and TECs after repeated injection.In vivo bioactivity results showed that Rd suppressed neovascularization in tumors,normalized the structure of tumor vessels,and improved the anti-tumor effect of 5-fluorouracil(5 FU)in xenograft mice.Furthermore,Rd inhibited the migration and tube formation capacity of endothelial cells in vitro.In conclusion,Rd may be an important active form to exert the anti-angiogenic effect on tumor after SMI treatment.

Postmarketing studies on safety of Dengfeng~ shenmai injection

OBJECTIVE: To systematically research the postmarketing safety of Dengfeng shenmai injection, identify potential risk factors, and ensure its clinical safety. METHODS: We investigated a comprehensive series of studies on the production process, quality standards, pharmacology, postmarketing clinical studies, and safety evaluation of Shenmai injection, including literature analysis of adverse drug reaction(ADR) case analysis and systematic review. Data from the hospital information system(HIS) and spontaneous reporting system(SRS) were also analyzed. RESULTS: The approximate dosage leading to death in dogs is 45.0-67.5 g raw drug/kg and the toxic reactions are restlessness, skin irritation, salivation, and vomiting. The results of chronic toxicity tests in mice and dogs, and the other tests such as 6-month toxicity, drug safety, genetic toxicity, and reproductive toxicity of rats and dogs, were positive or qualified. Patient ADR history and ADR family history were closely associated with itching based on the data analysis from SRS. There was no damage to renal function from Shenmai injection use at a dosage and a treatment course outside the recommended dosage and treatment course as specified based on data analysis from HIS. The most common ADR from Shenmai injection are difficulty breathing, facial flushing, nausea, vomiting, chest tightness, skin itching, rash, and back pain. CONCLUSION: This study includes complete information on Shenmai injection ADR incidence rate. We found that Shenmai injection is safe and this study can provide clinical, research, and production institutions with an objective, reliable, and scientific basis for use of Shenmai injection.

Profiling the mid-adult cecal microbiota associated with host healthy by using herbal formula Kang Shuai Lao Pian treated mid-adult mice

With the occurrence of aging process,decreased neuron dopamine,disrupted brown adipose tissue(BAT)remodeling and decreased butyrate level all reflect a weak host healthy in certain degree.Nevertheless,the signs of mid-adult gut microbiota,and its association with host healthy are not well understood.In current study,we deemed to illustrate the associations of age,neuron dopamine,BAT remodeling,butyrate and gut microbiota with the aid of traditional herbal formula Kang Shuai Lao Pian(KSLP),which is known for its anti-aging effect.Here,ELISA was performed to detect the production of brain dopamine,the mass of inguinal white adipose tissue versus interscapular brown adipose tissue(iWAT/iBAT)was calculated and considered as a sign of BAT remodeling,16 S rRNA gene sequencing was used to the detection of gut microbiota profiling and gas chromatography was used to measure the butyrate level in mice feces.Our results indicated mid-adult mice already present distinctive gut microbiota profiling compared with young mice,concomitant with which are the lower brain dopamine level and disrupted brown adipose remodeling.KSLP treatment improved the host healthy and regulated gut microbiota with enriched Firmicutes at the expense of Bacteroidetes,particularly increased the relative abundance of bacteria functionally related to dopamine and butyrate productions,which suggest KSLP treatment constructs a healthier gut environment.In conclusion,modulation of gut microbiota and butyrate may connectively regulate dopamine production and BAT remodeling through gut-brain axis and gut-metabolism axis.