Study on the mechanism of Jiawei Linggui Zhugan Decoction in the treatment of myelodysplastic syndrome based on network pharmacological analysis

the research method of network pharmacology is used to explore the material basis and mechanism of modified Linggui Zhugan Decoction in the treatment of myelodysplastic syndrome. Methods: the main active components of 8 traditional Chinese medicines of Jiawei Linggui Zhugan Decoction were searched through tcmsp database, and the target was predicted. The relevant targets of myelodysplastic syndrome were searched through geo database, and the common action targets were obtained by intersection of traditional Chinese medicine targets and disease targets. The core targets were selected by topological analysis with Cytoscape software. Finally, go-bp biological function enrichment and KEGG pathway analysis were carried out based on R software. Results: according to the database analysis, there were 248 active compounds and 3695 targets in the modified Linggui Zhugan decoction, of which 34 were common targets with metabolic syndrome; Through the topological analysis of common targets, 9 core targets were selected. Go-bp biological function enrichment and KEGG pathway analysis found that it can play its therapeutic role through p53, AGE-RAGE, cellular sensitivity, NF KB and other signal pathways. Conclusion: modified Linggui Zhugan decoction may play a therapeutic role through p53 signaling pathway, AGE-RAGE signaling pathway, cellular sensitivity, NF kappa B signaling pathway and cell cycle, so as to provide a new scientific basis for its clinical and basic research.

Studies on the therapeutic effects of three TCM methods on steroid-induced osteonecrosis of femoral head

Purpose: To determine the therapeutic effects of kidney yang-tonifying, blood-activating and phlegmeliminating methods on steroid-induced osteonecrosis of femoral head (SONFH), and their mechanisms of action.Methods: A rabbit model of SONFH was established. Six rabbit groups were used: control, SONFH (given normal saline); tongluo shenggu group, kidney-tonifying group, blood-activating group, and phlegm--eliminating group, which received tongluo shenggu capsule (0.28 g/kg/day), yougui yin (YGY, 2.52 g/kg/day), taohong siwu decoction (TSD, 2.38 g/kg/day) and linggui zhugan decoction (LZD,1.54 g/kg/day), respectively, for 8 weeks. The following serum indices were assayed on the 2nd, 4th and 8th weeks: total cholesterol, triglycerides, thromboxane B2 (TXB2), 6-keto-PGF1α, osteoprotegerin (OPG), and receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-Β ligand (RANKL). At the end of the 8th week, mRNA levels of OPG, BMP-2 and VEGF were assayed using real-time fluorescent quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RTF-qPCR).Results: Serum OPG in the kidney-tonifying group was increased, while its RANKL was decreased on the 2nd week, but these parameters, along with mRNA of OPG and BMP-2, reached normal levels at the 8th week (p <0.05). The TXB2 of blood-activating group was decreased, while its 6-keto-PGF1 level was increased at the 2nd week, but both of them attained normal levels at the 8th week, along with VEGF mRNA. Serum total cholesterol, triglycerides and TXB2 in the phlegm-eliminating group were decreased, while its 6-keto-PGF1α was increased at the 2nd week, but the levels of serum total cholesterol and triglycerides were normalized at the 8th week (p <0.05). Histological examination showed increases in bone trabeculae and bone marrow cells, while the proliferation of fat cells was decreased in kidney-tonifying, blood-activating and phlegm-eliminating groups.Conclusion: These findings suggest that the therapeutic effects of the three different TCM methods on SONFH involve different mechanisms. Keywords: Steroid-induced osteonecrosis, Femoral head, Yougui yin, Taohong siwu, Linggui zhugan decoction, Kidney-tonifying yang, Phlegm

Yinchen Linggui Zhugan Decoction Ameliorates Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Rats by Regulating the Nrf2/ARE Signaling Pathway

Yinchen Linggui Zhugan Decoction (YCLGZGD) is the combination of Linggui Zhugan (LGZGD) and Yinchenhao (YCHD) decoctions, two famous traditional Chinese medicine prescriptions. In previous studies, we found that Yinchen Linggui Zhugan Decoction (YCLGZGD) could regulate lipid metabolism disorder and attenuate inflammation in pathological process of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). However, the exact underlying mechanism remains unknown. The aim of this study was to explore the effect of Yinchen Linggui Zhugan Decoction on experimental NAFLD and its mechanism in rats with high-fat diet (HFD) which was established by 8-week administration of HFD. YCLGZGD, LGZGD, and YCHD were administered daily for 4 weeks, after which the rats were euthanized. The level of blood lipid, liver enzymes, H&E, and Oil Red O staining were determined to evaluate NAFLD severity. Western blotting and real-time polymerase chain reaction were, respectively, used to determine hepatic protein and gene expression of Keap1, Nrf2, NQO1, and HO-1. Oral YCLGZGD ameliorated HFD-induced NAFLD. Furthermore, YCLGZGD increased the protein and gene expression of Nrf2, NQO1, and HO-1 without changing Keap1. Overall, these results suggest that YCLGZGD ameliorates HFD-induced NAFLD in rats by upregulating the Nrf2/ARE signaling pathway.