scholarly journals Exploring the Mechanism of Berberine Intervention in Ulcerative Colitis from the Perspective of Inflammation and Immunity Based on Systemic Pharmacology

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Yan Jiang ◽  
Li Zhao ◽  
Qing Chen ◽  
Lihong Zhou

Background. Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic nonspecific inflammatory disease of the colon and rectum. Recent studies found that berberine had effects on inflammatory diseases and immune diseases. Methods. The PharmMapper database was used to predict the berberine potential target and GeneCards database and OMIM database were utilized to collect UC genes. The Cytoscape software was used to construct and analyze the networks and DAVID was utilized to perform enrichment analysis. Then, animal experiments were performed to validate the prediction results. The experimental rats were randomly divided into normal group (control group), model group, and berberine group. The general condition, body weight, gross morphology of colon tissue, and colonic mucosal damage index (CMDI) score were observed. The pathological changes of colon tissue were observed by H&E staining. The levels of serum interleukin-1β (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and IL-4 were detected by ELISA. The expressions of IL-1β, TNF-α, and IL-4 protein in colon tissue were detected by immunohistochemistry. Results. A total of 211 Berberine’s potential targets and 210 UC genes were obtained. The enrichment analysis showed that berberine may regulate inflammation, inflammatory cytokines, and their mediated inflammation signal pathways such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), rheumatoid arthritis, cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction, TNF, T cell receptor, Toll-like receptor, and JAK/STAT signaling pathway. Compared with the model group, the body mass of rats in the berberine group was significantly increased ( P  < 0.05); the general morphology and pathological changes of colon tissue were significantly improved; CMDI score, serum and colon tissue IL-1β, TNF-α content, and protein expression were decreased significantly ( P  < 0.05); and IL-4 content and protein expression increased significantly ( P  < 0.05). Conclusion. Berberine can interfere with UC through related biological processes and signal pathways related to inflammation and immunity. In-depth exploration of the mechanism of berberine in the treatment of UC will provide a basis for clinical application.

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-12
Author(s):  
Bensheng Wu ◽  
Qing Zhou ◽  
Zongqi He ◽  
Xiaopeng Wang ◽  
Xueliang Sun ◽  
...  

Background. The flower of Abelmoschus manihot (AM) has been widely used in the treatment of chronic inflammatory diseases, including ulcerative colitis. This paper aimed to confirm the therapeutic effect of AM on ulcerative colitis (UC) and explore its mechanism. Methods. Mouse models were induced by 2.5% dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) and treated with AM. UC signs, symptoms, colon macroscopic lesion scores, and disease activity index (DAI) scores were observed. Colon levels of interleukin- (IL-) 6, IL-1β, IL-18, IL-17, tumor necrosis factor- (TNF-) α, and IL-10 were quantified by ELISA. The colon protein expression levels of NLRP3, ASC, caspase 1 p10, β-arrestin1, ZO-1, occludin-1, and claudin-1 were examined by immunohistochemistry and western blotting. The mRNA levels of IL-1β, IL-18, NLRP3, ASC, and caspase 1 p10 in the colon were determined by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Results. After treatment with AM, the mortality of mice, pathological damage to the colon, splenomegaly, and the spleen coefficient were decreased. AM reduced the levels of proinflammatory cytokines (IL-6, IL-1β, IL-18, IL-17, and TNF-α) and increased the level of IL-10. The mRNA expression levels of NLRP3, ASC, and caspase 1 in colon tissue were decreased by AM in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, AM also reduced the protein expression of NLRP3, ASC, caspase 1 p10, IL-1β, IL-18, and β-arrestin1 in the colon tissue of model mice. Western blot analysis confirmed that AM increased the expression of occludin-1, claudin-1, and ZO-1 in a dose-dependent manner. Conclusion. This study shows that AM has a significant therapeutic effect on mice with UC, and the mechanism may be related to the inhibition of the β-arrestin1/NLRP3 inflammasome signaling pathway and the protection of intestinal barrier function.


2019 ◽  
Vol 17 ◽  
pp. 205873921984015
Author(s):  
Liu Shi ◽  
Qing Liu ◽  
Jian-hua Tang ◽  
Jian-jun Wen ◽  
Chen Li

Our study aimed to investigate the protective effects and potential mechanisms of pterostilbene on rats with ulcerative colitis (UC). We established 2,4,6-trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid (TNBS) induced colitis rat model. Rats were randomly divided into three groups, including control group, model group, and pterostilbene group (30 mg/kg). Disease activity index (DAI) including body weight, stool consistency, and gross bleeding was measured. The concentration of superoxide dismutases (SODs), glutathione superoxide (GSH-px), malondialdehyde (MDA), and methylpropanediol (MPO) in serum were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The levels of interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), IL-17, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor–alpha (TNF-α) in serum were also analyzed by ELISA kits. Histological evaluations of colons were conducted. The levels of peroxisome-proliferator-activated receptor–γ (PPAR-γ), nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), ZO-1, and Occludin were analyzed by immunohistochemistry. Compared with model group, pterostilbene notably suppressed the production of TNF-α, IL-17, IL-1β, IL-6, MDA and MPO in serum, and markedly increased the SOD and GSH-Px activity in serum. Pterostilbene significantly attenuated macroscopic damage and histological injury, when compared with model rats. Furthermore, pterostilbene also markedly activated the expression of PPAR-γ, ZO-1, and Occludin, and suppressed the expression of NF-κB. The protective effects of pterostilbene might be associated with suppression of NF-κB and activation of PPAR-γ. Pterostilbene might be a promising therapeutic agent for colitis treatment.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wenjun Shi ◽  
Fei Yang ◽  
Liting Wang ◽  
Nankun Qin ◽  
Chengxiang Wang ◽  
...  

Abstract BackgroundPlantaginis semen has been widely used as folk medicine and health care food against hyperuricemia (HUA) and gout, but little was known about its pharmacological mechanism. MethodsThe model was established by potassium oxonate intragastric administration. 42 Sprague-Dawley (SD) male rats were randomly divided into the control group, model group, benzbromarone group (10 mg/kg) and three Plantaginis semen groups (n = 7). The Plantaginis semen groups were treated orally with Plantaginis semen at 0.9375, 1.875 and 3.75 g/kg for 28 days. The levels of serum uric acid (UA), creatinine (Cr), triacylglycerol (TG) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were detected using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits. Ultra performance liquid chromatography quadrupole time of flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF/MS) was used as the basis for serum lipidomics analysis, and orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) was carried out for the pattern recognition and characteristic metabolites identification. The relative levels of critical regulatory factors of urate anion transporter 1(URAT1) and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/ protein kinases B (PI3K/Akt) were determined by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). ResultsCompared with the model group, the levels of serum UA, Cr, and TG were significantly (p<0.01) decreased in benzbromarone and three Plantaginis semen groups and the level of serum TNF-α was significantly (p<0.05) decreased in benzbromarone and low dose of Plantaginis semen group. With lipidomics analysis, significant lipid metabolic perturbations were observed in HUA rats, 13 metabolites were identified as potential biomarkers and glycerophospholipid metabolism pathway was mostly affected. These perturbations can be partially restored via treatment of benzbromarone and Plantaginis semen. Additionally, the URAT1 and PI3K/Akt mRNA expression levels were significantly decreased (p<0.05) after treatment with benzbromarone and high dose of Plantaginis semen. ConclusionsPlantaginis semen had significant anti-HUA, anti-inflammatory and renal protection effects and could attenuate potassium oxonate-induced HUA through regulation of lipid metabolism disorder. Trial registrationNot applicable


2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qiyan Wang ◽  
Hui Meng ◽  
Qian Zhang ◽  
Tianjiao Shi ◽  
Xuefeng Zhang ◽  
...  

Danqi pill (DQP) is a widely prescribed traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. The objective of this study is to systematically characterize altered gene expression pattern induced by myocardial ischemia (MI) in a rat model and to investigate the effects of DQP on global gene expression. Global mRNA expression was measured. Differentially expressed genes among the sham group, model group, and DQP group were analyzed. The gene ontology enrichment analysis and pathway analysis of differentially expressed genes were carried out. We quantified 10,813 genes. Compared with the sham group, expressions of 339 genes were upregulated and 177 genes were downregulated in the model group. The upregulated genes were enriched in extracellular matrix organization, response to wounding, and defense response pathways. Downregulated genes were enriched in fatty acid metabolism, pyruvate metabolism, PPAR signaling pathways, and so forth. This indicated that energy metabolic disorders occurred in rats with MI. In the DQP group, expressions of genes in the altered pathways were regulated back towards normal levels. DQP reversed expression of 313 of the 516 differentially expressed genes in the model group. This study provides insight into the multitarget mechanism of TCM in the treatment of complex diseases.


2006 ◽  
Vol 34 (03) ◽  
pp. 461-469 ◽  
Author(s):  
Duan-Yong Liu ◽  
Hai-Mei Zhao ◽  
Ning Zhao ◽  
Zeng-Ping Xin ◽  
Ai-Ping Lu

Ba-Wei-Xi-Lei powder is a classical herbal mixture, and is widely used for the treatment of oral ulcer and ulcerative colitis. This study aimed to explore the effect of Ba-Wei-Xi-Lei powder with enema application on ulcerative colitis in rats. Ulcerative colitis was induced by immunization with rabbit's colonic mucosal protein emulsified with Completely Freund's Adjuvant. The mucosal inflammatory reaction and ulcer have been observed in the model rats. Characteristic changes of ulceractive colitis include that CD4 lymphocyte increased in peripheral blood while CD8 lymphocyte decreased; CD8 lymphocyte and TNF-α expression area increased in colonic mucosa, while CD4 lymphocyte decreased. Ba-Wei-Xi-Lei powder and sulfasalazine with enema application could alleviate the pathological changes in the model rats. The results suggest that the pharmacological effects of Ba-Wei-Xi-Lei powder on ulcerative colitis in rats are similar to the effect of sulfasalazine.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Huimin Huang ◽  
Mingxing Li ◽  
Yi Wang ◽  
Xiaoxiao Wu ◽  
Jing Shen ◽  
...  

Abstract BackgroundLongan is the fruit of Dimocarpus longan Lour. and the longan arillus has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for thousands of years possessing various health benefits. However, the excessive intake of longan is found in daily life to cause “shanghuo” syndrome. Shanghuo has been linked to increased disease susceptibility. The present study thus aimed to investigate the toxicological outcomes after excess longan treatment.MethodsLongan extract at a normal dosage of 4 g/kg and two excess dosages of 8 and 16 g/kg was orally administered to normal C57BL/6J mice for 2 weeks. Another set of study used C57BL/6J mice with dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis by giving mice drinking water containing 3.5% DSS for 5 consecutive days. Mouse feces were collected at the end of experiments for microbial analysis by 16S rRNA sequencing. After mice were sacrificed, colonic contents were collected for measurement of short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) contents. Colon tissue was used for histopathological observation after H&E staining, detection of ZO-1 protein expression by western blot, analysis of TNF-α and IL-6 gene expression, and detection of apoptotic cells by TUNEL assay. Serum was collected for analysis of LPS, TNF-α and IL-6 by ELISA method.ResultsIn normal mice, repeated longan intake at excess doses, but not the normal dose, increased infiltration of inflammatory cells, elevated serum levels of TNF-α and IL-6 and reduced production of SCFAs. In DSS-induced colitic mice, longan intake at 4 g/kg did not promoted colitis in mice, while excess longan (8 or 16 g/kg) enhanced colitis in mice, showing increased inflammation (shorter colon length, upregulated IL-1β and TNF-α), more serious histological abnormalities, increased gut permeability (decreased ZO-1 protein expression), and increased epithelia injury (increased TUNEL-positive cells) when compared to DSS alone. Excess longan induced a significant reduction of microbial diversity in colitic mice, accompanied with aggravated alterations of DSS-associated bacteria including the increase of Proteobacteria phylum and genera of Bacteroides, Akkermansia, Turicibacter and Escherchia-Shigella, and the decrease of norank_f__Muribaculaceae. The changed microbial compositions were accompanied with decreased SCFAs when longan was supplemented with DSS. The altered microbial communities and SCFAs were tightly correlated with aggravated colon injury in mice.ConclusionsExcess longan intake disturbs gut homeostasis and aggravates colitis via promoting inflammation and altering gut microbe compositions and associated metabolism in mice. Our findings warrant rational longan arillus consumption as a dietary supplement among general population and suggest contraindications such as inflammatory bowel disease of using longan as an herbal medicine.


2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ling-yan Pei ◽  
Yu-shi Ke ◽  
Huan-hu Zhao ◽  
Wei-zhi Liu ◽  
Lin Wang ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a modern refractory disease, and its etiology has been difficult to discern. Studies have shown that UC is closely associated with the gut microbiota. Garidisan is composed of wild poppy and Artemisia frigida Willd and is commonly used for the treatment of UC in Inner Mongolia, China. In clinical settings, Garidisan has been found to treat UC effectively, with low recurrence. Previous studies have shown that Garidisan has a good therapeutic effect on mice with UC, but the therapeutic mechanism is still unclear. In this study, we investigated the regulatory effect of Garidisan on dysbiosis of the gut microbiota in a UC mouse model and explored the possible mechanism of the therapeutic effect of Garidisan on UC. Methods The UC mouse model was established by the dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) circulating free water drinking method, and the luminal contents were sampled under sterile conditions. High-throughput sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene V3 + V4 region of the luminal contents of the control group, model group, and Garidisan group was conducted, and clustering of operational taxonomic units (OTUs) and species annotation were performed. The differences in species composition and microbial community structure between individual groups of samples were analyzed using MetaStat, LefSe, rank sum test, and Bayesian causal network analysis. Results The UC mouse model was successfully established and the sequencing results were of adequate quality. There were significant differences in the diversity of luminal contents between the control group, model group, and Garidisan group, and the differences between groups were greater than those within any group. The therapeutic effect of Garidisan on UC is attributed to the direct effect on the Lachnospiraceae family of bacteria. Conclusion Garidisan has a good regulatory effect on the gut microbiota, and Lachnospiraceae could be an important direct target of Garidisan for the treatment of UC.


2020 ◽  
Vol 39 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Haiyan Wang ◽  
Xue Lin ◽  
Xiaoyan Pu

Abstract Background The lung is an important target organ for hypoxia treatment, and hypoxia can induce several diseases in the body. Methods We performed transcriptome sequencing for the lungs of rats exposed to plateau hypoxia at 0 day and 28 days. Sequencing libraries were constructed, and enrichment analysis of the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) was implemented using the Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG). Subsequently, experimental validation was executed by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) and western blot. Results The results showed that the nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain (NOD)-like receptor (NLR) signaling pathway that was involved in immunity may play a crucial function in lung injury caused by plateau hypoxia. And the expressions of NOD1, NOD2, IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-18 were higher at 28 days of exposure to plateau hypoxia than that at 0 day. Similarly, CARD9, MYD88, p38 MAPK, and NF-κB p65, which are related to the NF-κB and MAPK signaling pathways, also demonstrated increased expression at 28 days exposure to plateau hypoxia than at 0 day. Conclusions Our study suggested that the NF­κBp65 and p38 MAPK signaling pathways may be activated in the lungs of rats during plateau hypoxia. Upregulated expression of NF­κBp65 and p38 MAPK can promote the transcription of downstream inflammatory factors, thereby aggravating the occurrence and development of lung tissue remodeling.


2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 70-73
Author(s):  
Xiao Li ◽  
Xiaolei Yu ◽  
Fan Xu ◽  
Qingshan Li ◽  
Xiao Xu

Objective: To investigate the protective effects and mechanisms of esculetin(Esc) on H9C2 cells injury induced by doxorubicin (DOX).  Methods: H9C2 cells were cultured and divided into control group, model (DOX) group and intervention (ESC + DOX) group. Flow cytometry was used to detect apoptosis of H9C2 cells and reactive oxygen (ROS) level in H9C2 cells; Western blotting to detect the cleaved Caspase-3, cleaved PARP, bid and Bcl-2 protein expression in H9C2 cells.  Results: The number of apoptosis and ROS level of H9C2 cells in the model group, the expression of cleaved Caspase-3, cleaved PARP and Bid protein in the model group were obviously higher than control group; and the Bcl-2 protein expression was obviously lower (P < 0.05).The number of apoptosis and ROS level, cleaved Caspase-3, cleaved PARP and Bid protein expression in H9C2 cells in intervention group were obviously lower than model group;the Bcl-2 protein expression was obviously higher (P< 0.05).  Conclusion: Esculetin can reduce the cardiotoxicity induced by doxorubicin by reducing apoptosis and ROS level. 


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (9) ◽  
pp. 1799-1804
Author(s):  
Hongbing Xiao ◽  
Wei Hu ◽  
Jun Gu ◽  
Dandan Li

Ursolic acid can clear free radicals and prevent the formation of non-enzymatic glycosylation products. Our study assessed the inhibitory effect of UA on the myocardial tissue of mice. 36 healthy mice were equally and randomly divided into 3 groups by double blind method, sham operation group, model group and ursolic acid group. Myocardial injury model was established and treated with ursolic acid followed by analysis of cell morphological structure and apoptosis; levels of serum CK, AST, LDH activity and IL-6, IL-1β and TNF-α levels, as well as expression of p-AKT, AKT and PI3K in myocardial tissue. The morphological structure and apoptosis of ursolic acid group were improved compared to model group (P < 0.05). CK, AST, LDH, p-AKT and PI3K level in serum of ursolic acid group was significantly decreased (P <0.05) along with significantly downregulate IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α (P <0.05). Ursolic acid ameliorates myocardial injury in mice possibly through inhibition of AKT/P13K signaling pathway to reduce inflammatory cascade in the body.


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