scholarly journals Exploring biological basis of Syndrome differentiation in coronary heart disease patients with two distinct Syndromes by integrated multi-omics and network pharmacology strategy

2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Gaosong Wu ◽  
Jing Zhao ◽  
Jing Zhao ◽  
Nixue Song ◽  
Ningning Zheng ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is distinguished by Syndrome differentiation, which prescribes various formulae for different Syndromes of same disease. This study aims to investigate the underlying mechanism. Methods Using a strategy which integrated proteomics, metabolomics study for clinic samples and network pharmacology for six classic TCM formulae, we systemically explored the biological basis of TCM Syndrome differentiation for two typical Syndromes of CHD: Cold Congealing and Qi Stagnation (CCQS), and Qi Stagnation and Blood Stasis (QSBS). Results Our study revealed that CHD patients with CCQS Syndrome were characterized with alteration in pantothenate and CoA biosynthesis, while more extensively altered pathways including D-glutamine and D-glutamate metabolism; alanine, aspartate and glutamate metabolism, and glyoxylate and dicarboxylate metabolism, were present in QSBS patients. Furthermore, our results suggested that the down-expressed PON1 and ADIPOQ might be potential biomarkers for CCQS Syndrome, while the down-expressed APOE and APOA1 for QSBS Syndrome in CHD patients. In addition, network pharmacology and integrated analysis indicated possible comorbidity differences between the two Syndromes, that is, CCQS or QSBS Syndrome was strongly linked to diabetes or ischemic stroke, respectively, which is consistent with the complication disparity between the enrolled patients with two different Syndromes. These results confirmed our assumption that the molecules and biological processes regulated by the Syndrome-specific formulae could be associated with dysfunctional objects caused by the Syndrome of the disease. Conclusion This study provided evidence-based strategy for exploring the biological basis of Syndrome differentiation in TCM, which sheds light on the translation of TCM theory in the practice of precision medicine.

Molecules ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 24 (7) ◽  
pp. 1423 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yingtong Lv ◽  
Xiaoying Hou ◽  
Qianqian Zhang ◽  
Ruiting Li ◽  
Lei Xu ◽  
...  

Saikosaponin d (SSd) is one of the main active ingredients in Radix Bupleuri. In our study, network pharmacology databases and metabolomics were used in combination to explore the new targets and reveal the in-depth mechanism of SSd. A total of 35 potential targets were chosen through database searching (HIT and TCMID), literature mining, or chemical similarity predicting (Pubchem). Out of these obtained targets, Neuropilin-1 (NRP-1) was selected for further research based on the degree of molecular docking scores and novelty. Cell viability and wound healing assays demonstrated that SSd combined with NRP-1 knockdown could significantly enhance the damage of HepG2. Metabolomics analysis was then performed to explore the underlying mechanism. The overall difference between groups was quantitatively evaluated by the metabolite deregulation score (MDS). Results showed that NRP-1 knockdown exhibited the lowest MDS, which demonstrated that the metabolic profile experienced the slightest interference. However, SSd alone, or NRP-1 knockdown in combination with SSd, were both significantly influenced. Differential metabolites mainly involved short- or long-chain carnitines and phospholipids. Further metabolic pathway analysis revealed that disturbed lipid transportation and phospholipid metabolism probably contributed to the enhanced anti-hepatoma effect by NRP-1 knockdown in combination with SSd. Taken together, in this study, we provided possible interaction mechanisms between SSd and its predicted target NRP-1.


2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiao-Ling Chi ◽  
Mei-Jie Shi ◽  
Huan-Ming Xiao ◽  
Yu-Bao Xie ◽  
Gao-Shu Cai

This study aims to explore a useful noninvasive assessment containing TCM syndrome elements for liver fibrosis in CHB patients. The demographic, clinical, and pathological data were retrospectively collected from 709 CHB patients who had ALT less than 2 times the upper limit of normal from April 2009 to October 2012. Logistical regression and area under receiver-operator curve (AUROC) were used to determine the diagnostic performances of simple tests for advanced fibrosis (Scheuer stage, F ≥ 3). Results showed that the most common TCM syndrome element observed in this CHB population was dampness and Qi stagnation, followed by blood stasis, by heat, and less by Qi deficiency and Yin deficiency. The logistical regression analysis identified AST ≥ 35 IU/L, PLT ≤ 161 × 109/L, and TCM syndrome element of blood stasis as the independent risk factors for advanced fibrosis. Therefore, a score model containing these three factors was established and tested. The score model containing blood stasis resulted in a higher AUC (AUC = 0.936) compared with APRI (AUC = 0.731) and FIB-4 (AUC = 0.709). The study suggested that the score model containing TCM syndrome element of blood stasis could be used as a useful diagnostic tool for advanced fibrosis in CHB patients and presented a better performance compared to APRI and FIB-4.


2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-18
Author(s):  
Yu-Xi Huang ◽  
Ding-Qiao Xu ◽  
Shi-Jun Yue ◽  
Yan-Yan Chen ◽  
Hui-Juan Tao ◽  
...  

Background. Qixuehe capsule (QXH), a Chinese patent medicine, has been demonstrated to be effective in the treatment of menstrual disorders. In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) theory, qi stagnation and blood stasis syndrome (QS-BSS) is the main syndrome type of menstrual disorders. However, the pharmacodynamic effect of QXH in treating QS-BSS is not clear, and the main active compounds and underlying mechanisms remain unknown. Methods. A rat model of QS-BSS was established to evaluate the pharmacodynamic effect of QXH. Thereafter, a network pharmacology approach was performed to decipher the active compounds and underlying mechanisms of QXH. Results. QXH could significantly reduce the rising whole blood viscosity (WBV) and plasma viscosity (PV) but also normalize prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), thrombin time (TT), and fibrinogen (FIB) content in QS-BSS rats. Based on partial least-squares-discriminant analysis (PLS-DA), the low-dose QXH-intervened (QXH-L) and the high-dose QXH-intervened (QXH-H) groups seemed the most effective by calculating the relative distance to normality. Through network pharmacology, QXH may improve hemorheological abnormality mainly via 185 compounds-51 targets-28 pathways, whereas 184 compounds-68 targets-28 pathways were associated with QXH in improving coagulopathy. Subsequently, 25 active compounds of QXH were verified by UPLC-Q/TOF-MS. Furthermore, 174 active compounds of QXH were shared in improving hemorheological abnormality and coagulopathy in QS-BSS, each of which can act on multiple targets to be mainly involved in complement and coagulation cascades, leukocyte transendothelial migration, PPAR signaling pathway, VEGF signaling pathway, and arachidonic acid metabolism. The attribution of active compounds indicated that Angelicae Sinensis Radix (DG), Paeoniae Radix Rubra (CS), Carthami Flos (HH), Persicae Semen (TR), and Corydalis Rhizoma (YHS) were the vital herbs of QXH in treating QS-BSS. Conclusion. QXH can improve the hemorheology abnormality and coagulopathy of QS-BSS, which may result from the synergy of multiple compounds, targets, and pathways.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yanfen Duan ◽  
Dongning Zhang ◽  
Yan Ye ◽  
Sili Zheng ◽  
Ping Huang ◽  
...  

Nephrotic syndrome (NS) is a clinical syndrome resulting from abnormal glomerular permeability, mainly manifesting as edema and proteinuria. Qingrekasen granule (QRKSG), a Chinese Uyghur folk medicine, is a single-flavor preparation made from chicory (Cichorium intybus L.), widely used in treating dysuria and edema. Chicory, the main component in QRKSG, effectively treats edema and protects kidneys. However, the active components in QRKSG and its underlying mechanism for treating NS remain unclear. This study explored the specific mechanism and composition of QRKSG on an NS rat model using integrated metabolomics and network pharmacology. First, metabolomics explored the relevant metabolic pathways impacted by QRKSG in the treatment of NS. Secondly, network pharmacology further explored the possible metabolite targets. Afterward, a comprehensive network was constructed using the results from the network pharmacology and metabolomics analysis. Finally, the interactions between the active components and targets were predicted by molecular docking, and the differential expression levels of the target protein were verified by Western blotting. The metabolomics results showed “D-Glutamine and D-glutamate metabolism” and “Alanine, aspartate, and glutamate metabolism” as the main targeted metabolic pathways for treating NS in rats. AKT1, BCL2L1, CASP3, and MTOR were the core QRKSG targets in the treatment of NS. Molecular docking revealed that these core targets have a strong affinity for flavonoids, terpenoids, and phenolic acids. Moreover, the expression levels of p-PI3K, p-AKT1, p-mTOR, and CASP3 in the QRKSG group significantly decreased, while BCL2L1 increased compared to the model group. These findings established the underlying mechanism of QRKSG, such as promoting autophagy and anti-apoptosis through the expression of AKT1, CASP3, BCL2L1, and mTOR to protect podocytes and maintain renal tubular function.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Junjie Gong ◽  
Zijin Xu ◽  
Shushu Hao ◽  
Boqian Chen ◽  
Shengcheng Zhuang ◽  
...  

Abstract BackgroundReports indicate that saffron originated from Iran then introduced into mainland China through the earlier established trans-Tibet trade routes in ancient China. Based to the theory of traditional Chinese medicine, saffron functions by promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis, cooling blood and detoxification, as well as relieving depression for tranquilization. Modern medical research has demonstrated several properties of saffron including antitumor, antidepressant, enhancement of immunity, cardioprotection. Notably, recent studies introduce that saffron has a neuroprotective effect, specifically in the treatment of Parkinson's disease in recent years. Nevertheless, the underlying molecular mechanism remains elusive so far. As such, this study aims to predict the underlying mechanism of saffron on Parkinson's disease through network pharmacology and molecular docking.MethodsA functional-based network pharmacology and molecular docking model was constructed for dissecting the underlying mechanism of saffron on Parkinson's disease. Based on the Traditional Chinese Medicine System Pharmacology database (TCMSP) and the literature reviews, the putative targets of Saffron were collected. Further, the interaction networks of Drug- candidate compounds targets-Therapeutic targets-Disease were mined using the Cytoscape software. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analyses were conducted and the String database was used to analyze the protein interaction network. Finally, Molecular docking was used to predict the interaction between the components in Saffron and key targets by MOE 2014.09 software.ResultsA total of 9 candidate compounds from saffron corresponding to 52 therapeutic targets of Parkinson's disease were identified. The neuroprotective effect of saffron in the treatment of PD was attributed to the strong binding between crocin (including crocin I and crocin II) as well as key targets including CASP3, IL6, and MAPK8. Additionally, the auxiliary neuroprotective effects might have originated from quercetin, kaempferol, isorhamnetin, crocetin, safranal, and picrocrocin because of their slightly weaker binding capacity to the key targets.ConclusionSaffron exhibits a synergistic effect via multiple targets and pathways in the treatment of Parkinson's disease and our systemic pharmacological analysis provides a basis for the clinical application and in-depth study of saffron.


Trials ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaofen Ruan ◽  
Yiping Li ◽  
Yuanlong Sun ◽  
Meijun Jia ◽  
Xiaowen Xu ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Coronary heart disease (CHD) has become one of the biggest health problems in the world. Stable angina is a common clinical type of CHD with poor prognosis and high mortality. Although there are various interventions for stable angina, none of them can significantly reduce mortality. Both basic and clinical research have shown that Suxiao Jiuxin Pill (SJP) can relieve the symptoms of angina pectoris and improve the clinical efficacy, but there is a lack of high-quality clinical research to provide research-based evidence. We design a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial to evaluate the efficacy of SJP for stable angina. Methods/design This is a prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, and multicenter trial. The trial will enroll 324 participants with chronic stable angina (Qi Stagnation and Blood Stasis syndrome). All participants will have received the conventional therapy of chronic stable angina. Participants will be randomized into two groups, conventional therapy plus SJP group and conventional therapy plus placebo group. Eligible participants will receive either SJP or placebo (five pills administered orally, three times daily) in addition to conventional treatment for 24 weeks. The primary outcomes are the symptom improvement rate of angina from baseline to 4 weeks after inclusion and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE). The secondary outcomes are angina classification (CCS), improvement of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndromes, Seattle Angina Scale score, the dosage of emergency drugs and the stopping rate, and electrocardiogram (EKG) efficacy. Adverse events will be monitored throughout the trial. Discussion Integrated traditional Chinese and Western Medicine is commonly used for angina in China. This study will evaluate the clinical effectiveness and safety of SJP for angina. The results of the trial will provide high-level clinical research-based evidence for the application of SJP instable angina. Trial registration This study protocol was registered on 14 March 2019. The registration number is ChiCTR1900021876 on the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry.


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