The Potential Effects of Dielectric Barrier Discharge Plasma on the Extraction Efficiency of Bioactive Compounds in Radix Paeoniae Alba

Radix paeoniae alba (RPA) is a kind of herbal medicine of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) that is widely used for the treatment of liver diseases and rheumatoid arthritis in clinical practice. As a result of the low extraction efficiency of RPA by the conventional method, many patients are given high dosages. In this study, four exposure doses of dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma (0, 60, 120, and 180 s) were applied to modify the extraction efficiency of paeoniflorin, benzoylpaeoniflorin, tannic acid, gallic acid, 2′-hydroxy-4′-methoxyacetophenone, and polysaccharide in RPA. Finally, the application of plasma for 180 s exhibited a 24.6% and 12.0% (p < 0.001) increase of tannic acid and polysaccharide contents, however, a 2.1% (p < 0.05) and 5.4% (p < 0.001) reduction of paeoniflorin and gallic acid composition, respectively, and no significant difference (p > 0.05) in results obtained from benzoylpaeoniflorin and 2′-hydroxy-4′-methoxyacetophenone contents. Our results of scanning electron microscopy (SEM), automatic specific surface area and pore analyzer, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) indicated that DBD plasma can etch the surface and undergo graft polymerization by reactive species thereby changing the water/oil holding capacity and eventually changing the extraction efficiency of bioactive compounds in RPA. Overall, our observations provide a scientific foundation for modifying the extraction efficiency of bioactive ingredients related to the pharmacological activities of RPA.

Paeoniflorin and albiflorin regulate P-gp-mediated aconitine and hypaconitine transport through an Madin Darby canine kidney-multi drug resistance protein 1 cell model

Aconitine and hypaconitine are the main active ingredients of Radix Aconiti, paeoniflorin and albiflorin are the primary components of Radix Paeoniae Alba. Both Radix Aconiti and Radix Paeoniae Alba are herbs that are commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine. This study sought to explore the mechanistic transport of aconitine and hypaconitine across MDCK-MDR1 cells and to assess the effect of paeoniflorin and albiflorin on aconitine and hypaconitine transmembrane transport as a potential attenuation mechanism. Drug cytotoxicity was tested via the MTT (3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay, and transport studies were performed in both directions. The effects of drugs on P-gp ATPase activity, P-gp efflux function, MDR1 mRNA and P-gp expression were evaluated in MDCK-MDR1 cells. Aconitine and hypaconitine treatment with the verapamil could significantly decrease the efflux rate (ER). The ER of aconitine and hypaconitine were significantly increased with the coadministration of paeoniflorin and albiflorin, suggesting that paeoniflorin and albiflorin can promote the efflux of these two alkaloids. Aconitine and hypaconitine can induce P-gp enzymatic activity, inhibit P-gp-mediated efflux, and downregulate the expression of P-gp protein to produce cytotoxic effects. When treatment in combination with paeoniflorin and albiflorin, it could stimulated P-gp ATPase activity, increasing mRNA expression, enhance P-gp efflux function, and upregulate P-gp protein expression.

The Importance of Flavonoids and Phytochemicals of Medicinal Plants with Antiviral Activities

: In this mini-review article, we have mentioned the key roles of some of the most important herbal plants medicines containing flavonoids and phytochemicals with antiviral activities. All relevant information was searched for terms of influenza, phytochemicals, SARS, SARS-Cov-2, flavonoids, and traditional medicinal plants uses from reliable databases, such as PubMed, Science Direct, and Google Scholar. The most important medicinal herbs which contain flavonoids with antiviral activities are Limonium densiflorum, Oroxylum indicum, Tribulus terrestris L., Paulownia tomentosa Steud., Allophylus africanus, Houttuynia cordata, Moslea Herba, Mosla scabra, Scutellaria baicalensis, Berries, Genus Psoralea, Sophora tonkinensis, Trollius chinensis, Tilia cordata, Hippophae rhamnoides L. (Seabuckthorn), Paulownia tomentosa steud, and C. swietenia. Phytochemicals are chemicals of plant origin produced by plants through primary or secondary metabolism. The most important medicinal plants which contain phytochemicals with antiviral activities are Blue honeysuckle (Lonicera caerulea L.), Forsythia suspense, Ligustrum lucidum, Radix Paeoniae Alba (Bai Shao), Banlangen (Radix Isatidis), Lysiphyllum strychnifolium, Phellinus baumii, Mesona chinensis, Sanguinaria Canadensis, Dodonaea viscosa, Isatis indigotica, Pelargonium sidoides, Entada Africana Guill., Pomegranate (Punica granatum), Goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis), Lychee fruit extract, Lycoris radiate, Cistus incanus, Chaenomeles sinensis Koehne (Chinese quince), Geranium sanguineum L., and Tea polyphenols. Natural products from traditional herbal medicines, especially traditional Chinese and Persian medicines, have been found to exert antiviral impacts against influenza and human coronaviruses. The natural plant-derived compounds that have been used for treating various diseases are flavonoids and phytochemicals.

Total Glucosides of Paeony Ameliorate Pristane-Induced Lupus Nephritis by Inducing PD-1 ligands+ Macrophages via Activating IL-4/STAT6/PD-L2 Signaling

Macrophages, a major subset of innate immune cells, are main infiltrating cells in the kidney in lupus nephritis. Macrophages with different phenotypes exert diverse or even opposite effects on the development of lupus nephritis. Substantial evidence has shown that macrophage M2 polarization is beneficial to individuals with chronic kidney disease. Further, it has been reported that PD-1 ligands (PD-Ls) contribute to M2 polarization of macrophages and their immunosuppressive effects. Total glucosides of paeony (TGP), originally extracted from Radix Paeoniae Alba, has been approved in China to treat some autoimmune diseases. Here, we investigated the potentially therapeutic effects of TGP on lupus nephritis in a pristane-induced murine model and explored the molecular mechanisms regulating macrophage phenotypes. We found that TGP treatment significantly improved renal function by decreasing the urinary protein and serum creatinine, reducing serum anti-ds-DNA level and ameliorating renal immunopathology. TGP increased the frequency of splenic and peritoneal F4/80+CD11b+CD206+ M2-like macrophages with no any significant effect on F4/80+CD11b+CD86+ M1-like macrophages. Immunofluorescence double-stainings of the renal tissue showed that TGP treatment increased the frequency of F4/80+Arg1+ subset while decreasing the percentage of F4/80+iNOS+ subset. Importantly, TGP treatment increased the percentage of both F4/80+CD11b+PD-L1+ and F4/80+CD11b+PD-L2+ subsets in spleen and peritoneal lavage fluid as well as the kidney. Furthermore, TGP augmented the expressions of CD206, PD-L2 and phosphorylated STAT6 in IL-4-treated Raw264.7 macrophages in vitro while its effects on PD-L2 were abolished by pretreatment of the cells with an inhibitor of STAT6, AS1517499. However, TGP treatment did not affect the expressions of STAT1 and PD-L1 in Raw264.7 macrophages treated with LPS/IFN-γ in vitro, indicating a possibly indirect effect of TGP on PD-L1 expression on macrophages in vivo. Thus, for the first time, we demonstrated that TGP may be a potent drug to treat lupus nephritis by inducing F4/80+CD11b+CD206+ and F4/80+CD11b+PD-L2+ macrophages through IL-4/STAT6/PD-L2 signaling pathway.

Analysis on the Medication Rule of Famous Old TCM Doctors in the Treatment of Cervical Spondylosis Based on Data Mining

Purpose — To use data mining methods to study the medication rules of famous and old traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) doctors in the treatment of cervical spondylosis. Methods — To search and collate the experience books of Chinese medicine masters, published journal literature and shared medical cases of national famous TCM studios, screen the data of famous TCM treatment of cervical spondylosis, standardize the medical case database, standardize the name of medicine, analyze the medication rules of traditional Chinese medicine by using frequency analysis, cluster analysis and association rule analysis, and obtain the medication frequency and syndrome treatment points Cloth, medicine, core prescription, etc. Results — Among the 199 prescriptions collected, 218 Chinese medicines were involved, with a total frequency of 2461. Among them, 33 Chinese medicines are with a frequency of more than or equal to 20. Glycyrrhiza uralensis, Angelica sinensis, Ligusticum chuanxiong, Pueraria lobata, Radix Paeoniae Alba, astragalus, Poria cocos, Rhizoma Notopterygii and Carthamus tinctorius ranked in the top 10, and the drugs of Invigorating Qi and activating blood circulation had the highest frequency. There are 7 kinds of drugs in cluster analysis, 10 drug pair association rules and 60 drug group association rules. Conclusion — In the treatment of cervical spondylosis with traditional Chinese medicine, the famous old TCM doctor mainly uses the methods of Invigorating Qi and promoting blood circulation, invigorating liver and kidney, eliminating wind and dampness, resolving phlegm and dredging collaterals, which further proves that the main etiology and pathogenesis of cervical spondylosis is deficiency and excess. In the treatment, we should pay attention to invigorating Qi and nourishing blood, and taking into account cold and dampness.

A MECHANISTIC INSIGHT OF NATURAL PRODUCTS FOR ECZEMA TREATMENT (PART I)

Eczema is termed as a chronic relapsing atopic dermatitis which is a chronic, inflammatory dermatosis mediated by immune system and is characterized by T- helper 2 immune response phenotype. Eczema is associated with disturbance in sleep and it also affects the quality of life. Emollient, antimicrobial agents, corticosteroid or immune-modulating agents are used for treatment of eczema. Pathogenesis of eczema involves complex interactions between susceptible genes, immunological factor, and defects in skin barriers, neuro-endocrine factors and factors related to environment like change in weather, food and aeroallergens. Because there is no cure till date for eczema, Chinese medicines which are part of dietary therapies are being adopted by the Asian patients. In the treatment of skin disorders and wounds a tremendous role has been played by Herbal extracts and isolated plant compounds. Recently a lot of new herbal drugs have been developed that were tested in controlled clinical or preclinical studies. St. John’s wort, licorice, tormentil, bitter substances, evening primrose and many more biomedicines, topical agents: coconut oil, colloidal oatmeal, sunflower oil, mustard oil, glycerin, and oral Chinese herbal therapy are used to treat AD. Probiotics, and vitamins are also used as oral agents in treatment of AD and all these bioagents have shown good results in treatment of atopic dermatitis. Wind, dampness and heat are the three main pathogenic factors of eczema. Various Chinese herb such as cortex moutan radix (danpi), radix paeoniae alba (bai shao), potentilla chinensis ser (weilingcai) and radix glycyrrhizae (gan cao) are common treatments for eczema allergy. It is being indicated in pharmacological studies that these herbs have anti-allergic, anti- inflammatory and sedative action for itchiness . These studied medicinal plants were found to be effective in eczema therapy, further mechanistic and clinical studies are required to establish this claim.