The Anti-Inflammatory Effect of Zhibaidihuang Decoction on Recurrent Oral Ulcer with Sirt1 as the Key Regulatory Target

The syndrome of ROU is generally manifested as obvious pain, redness, and swelling of local ulceration area, accompanied by flushed face, red eyes, sore throat, and swollen gums. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) doctors believe that “yin deficiency” is one causative factor of ROU. Zhibaidihuang decoction (ZBDHD) is a prescriptively developed receipt, where Anemarrhena asphodeloides and Phellodendri amurensis Cortex are added in the original Liuweidihuang decoction. It is generally used for “yin deficiency” treatment. It can effectively reduce the recurrence of oral ulcers and release the severity of the disease. However, the mechanism of this activity remains to be elucidated. In this study, we found that ZBDHD has a certain therapeutic effect on the pathological changes of oral mucosa. Furthermore, the results of serum metabolomics showed ZBDHD influenced the synthesis and metabolism of certain fatty acids. The results of western blot, immunochemical, and immunofluorescence staining indicate that ZBDHD could increase the expression of Sirt1 and Foxp3 and suppress the expression and acetylation of NF-κB in oral mucosa cells. By screening active ingredients in ZBDHD, we found berberine, as well as other compounds, presenting high fitness of the Sirt1 reactive centre. Therefore, it is possible that ZBDHD can regulate the Sirt1-NF-κB pathway to improve fatty acids metabolism in the body, thereby achieving the effect of treating ROU.

Serum Starvation Sensitizes Anticancer Effect of Anemarrhena asphodeloides via p38/JNK-Induced Cell Cycle Arrest and Apoptosis in Colorectal Cancer Cells

The molecular mechanism underlying the anticancer effects of Anemarrhena asphodeloides (A. asphodeloides) on colon cancer is unknown. This is the first study evaluating the anticancer effect of A. asphodeloides extract (AA-Ex) in serum-starved colorectal cancer cells. Changes in cell proliferation and morphology in serum-starved MC38 and HCT116 colorectal cancer cells were investigated using MTS assay. Cell cycle and apoptosis were investigated using flow cytometry, and cell cycle regulator expression was determined using qRT-PCR. Apoptosis regulator protein levels and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) phosphorylation were assessed using western blotting. AA-Ex sensitively suppressed proliferation of serum-starved colorectal cancer cells, with MC38 and HCT116 cells showing greater changes in proliferation after treatment with AA-Ex under serum starvation than HaCaT and RAW 264.7 cells. AA-Ex inhibited cell cycle progression in serum-starved MC38 and HCT116 cells and increased the expression of cell cycle inhibitors (p53, p21, and p27). Furthermore, AA-Ex induced apoptosis in serum-starved MC38 and HCT116 cells. Consistently, AA-Ex suppressed the expression of the anti-apoptotic molecule Bcl-2 and upregulated pro-apoptotic molecules (cytochrome c, cleaved caspase-9, cleaved caspase-3, and cleaved-PARP) in serum-starved cells. AA-Ex treatment under serum starvation decreased AKT and ERK1/2 phosphorylation in the cell survival signaling pathway but increased p38 and JNK phosphorylation. Furthermore, AA-Ex treatment with serum starvation increased the levels of the transcription factors of the p38 and JNK pathway. Serum starvation sensitizes colorectal cancer cells to the anticancer effect of A. asphodeloidesvia p38/JNK-induced cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. Hence, AA-Ex possesses therapeutic potential for colon cancer treatment.

Molecular Pathways Involved in Promoting Activity of Timosaponin BII on Hair Growth in C57BL/6 Mice

Hair loss is a common disease in dermatology, while the approved drugs may have unpredictable side effects. In this study, the effect of timosaponin BII extracted from Anemarrhena asphodeloides on hair growth of C57BL/6 mice was investigated by measuring the hair follicle morphology, hair growth length and area in C57BL/6 male mice, and the immunohistochemical analysis of β-catenin, Wnt3a, and Wnt10b in the dorsal skins of mice after topical application with minoxidil and timosaponin BII for 15 days. The decrease in skin brightness, the increase in the regrowing area of hair and hair follicles numbers, and the improvement of hair follicle morphology in the group applied with 0.5% timosaponin BII indicated an induction of the anagen phase in telogenic mice skin, which were comparative to the 2% minoxidil treatment. The immunohistochemical analysis detected an increase in the expression of β-catenin and Wnt10b, supporting the theory of the activation of the β-catenin/Wnt pathway was one of the pathways that are related to anagen phase induction. Anemarrhena asphodeloides is a herb commonly used for metabolic disorders in China. The present study is the first to show that the timosaponin BII, which is present at a high concentration in A. asphodeloides, promotes hair growth in C57BL/6 male mice. The results indicate that timosaponin BII may be a potential promoting agent for hair growth.

The water-eluting component of Anemarrhena asphodeloides Bge. laxative effects on loperamide-induced constipation rats

Background Slow transit functional constipation (STC) is the most common type of chronic constipation,with seriously affecting people's survival and quality of life in the recent years. Based on the safety and small side effects of traditional Chinese medicine, it is urgent to research and develop new medicine for the treatment of constipation. As a traditional Chinese medicine, Anemarrhena asphodeloides Bge. has been reported treat constipation in a long time, and carbohydrate is its active ingredient. Methods ELISA used for detection of serum gastrointestinal hormones and neurotransmitters levels. HE stain was analyzed to evaluate the colon injury. Western blot and RT-PCR detected interstitial cells of Cajal markers (SCF/c-Kit) and aquaporins (AQPs). Results The mainly compositions of oligosaccharide and amino acid from AABW was determined by HPLC. Based on the laxative activities of AABW in the study, AABW obviously enhanced the contents of VIP, Gas, MTL, SP and 5-HT and decreased the levels of NO from loperamide-induced rats by Elisa kits. Additionally, AABW could up-regulate the expressions of SCF, c-Kit, AQP3, VIP and down-regulate AQP8 to repair the damage of colon. Conclusion These findings suggested that AABW, which could treat constipation through mediating intestinal motility and water metabolism, were laxative active constituents from Anemarrhena asphodeloides Bge..