Latest ArticlesMa-Xing-Shi-Gan Decoction is a classic prescription. However, the interaction among multiple components of the decoction and the change of phase state are not clear. Moreover, the relationship between the physical phase state aggregated by multiple components and the efficacy still needs to be studied. In this study, we monitored the particle size changes of Ma-Xing-Shi-Gan Decoction in real time. Then we isolated different phase states by centrifugation, analyzed their composition distribution and tested their antibacterial activity. We added chemical interference agents to investigate the interaction of multi-component physical phase states accompanied by the observation of particle size change and morphology. We also studied the correlation between antibacterial activity and physical structure of phase states. The results showed during boiling process the degree of hybridization of particles was decreased and the particle size distribution was narrowed and stabilized at 170 nm. The distribution of organic and inorganic components was heterogeneous among different phase states. S-13500, supernatant isolated by 13 500×g centrifugation, constituted by ephedrine, amygdalin, glycyrrhizic acid and inorganic components Ca, K, Mg, etc., had the strongest antibacterial activity. The molecular interaction force in the active physical phase state was mainly hydrophobic and hydrogen bond. The destruction of the interaction force will lead to the change of phase structure and the decrease of antibacterial activity in vitro and in vivo. This study confirms that, in the boiling process of the Ma-Xing-Shi-Gan Decoction, the chemical components interweave and interact to form new physical phase states, leading to heterogeneous distribution of components. The antimicrobial activity of the active phase depends on both chemical composition and physical structure, which provides a direct evidence for the physical basis of the efficacy of traditional Chinese medicine.
The purpose of this study was to explore the interaction mechanism between glycyrrhiza protein and berberine in the decocting process of Rhizoma Coptidis and Liquorice and its effect on the pharmacodynamic effect. In this experiment, licorice crude protein was obtained from licorice decoction pieces, and it was found that licorice crude protein and berberine could form spherical supramolecular particles after decocting together. Morphological characterization was carried out by using Malvin particle size analyzer and emission scanning electron microscopy, and the supramolecular particles were observed to be nanoscale, which was significantly different from the morphology of licorice protein and berberine. The results of ultraviolet, infrared and fluorescence spectroscopy showed that the mechanism of molecular interaction was induced by weak bonds such as electrostatic attraction and hydrophobic interaction. Furthermore, the antimicrobial activity of berberine was significantly affected by the supramolecular particles of licorice protein-berberine, which were significantly different from the mechanical mixture. This study reveals the pharmacological value of macromolecular substances such as proteins in the decoction of licorice and Coptis chinensis from a new perspective, which is helpful to promote the secondary development of clinical effective prescriptions, especially the research on the pharmacological substance basis of classic famous prescriptions.
To improve the fluidity and compactibility properties of raw powders of traditional Chinese medicine by particle modification technology, Lonicera Japonica Flos was used as a model drug, fluidized bed bottom spray technology was used, and Plasdone S-630 was used as a modifier to prepare modified particles. The powder properties, tablet compactibility parameters, disintegration time and dissolution were measured. The surface morphology of the powder particles before and after modification and compressed tablets were characterized by combining with scanning electron microscopy technology. The results showed that the particle size of Lonicera Japonica powder has been increased after particle modification, the fluidity, compressibility and compactibility of the powder have been improved to some extent, the disintegration time has also been reduced, and the dissolution in vitro is not affected. Therefore, this study can provide reference and ideas for the common problem that raw powder of traditional Chinese medicine that cannot meet the needs of preparation production due to poor powder properties such as fluidity and compressibility.
Artificial intelligence technology is being widely applied in drug screening. This paper introduces the characteristics of artificial intelligence, and summarizes the application and progress of artificial intelligence technology especially deep learning in drug screening, from ligand-based and receptor structure-based aspects. This paper also introduces how to apply artificial intelligence to drug design from these two aspects. Finally, we discuss the main limitations, challenges, and prospects of artificial intelligence technology in the field of drug screening.
Ginsenoside Rg1 is one of the most important active components of the "king of herbs" Panax ginseng, which is an important angiogenic protective agent. The research results have shown that Rg1 has a wide range of cardiovascular pharmacological effects in vivo and in vitro, mainly through promoting the proliferation of smooth muscle cells, inhibiting endothelial cell aging, antioxidant stress, inhibiting inflammatory response, activating key factors of angiogenesis, improving vasodilation and other ways. Many miRNAs participate in the process of Rg1 promoting angiogenesis, mediate the regulation of the specific expression of downstream related targets to promote angiogenesis and vascular remodeling, and have the potential to become new clinical biomarkers and therapeutic targets. New preparation technologies and materials are used to make up for the weakness of Rg1's blood-brain barrier permeability, and further promote and enrich the clinical application of Rg1.
The biochemical integrity of the brain is necessary to maintain normal function. Oxidative damage is one of the mortal important reasons leading to the destruction of this integrity. The nervous system is enriched in phospholipid and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs). Due to the nature of high oxygen-consumption and rich lipids, brain is particularly vulnerable to oxidative damages. Phospholipid peroxidation is one of the results of imbalance in oxidation-antioxidant system. Once the antioxidant system is insufficient to resist oxidative damage, membrane phospholipids will be prone to free radical attack. Phospholipid peroxidation leads to a variety of toxic oxidation products, including membrane damage, mitochondrial dysfunction, rapid accumulation of amyloid, etc. Multiple proteins and nucleic acids can be covalently modified by peroxidation products, resulting in the loss of the protein functions, which eventually triggers programmed cell death and general neuroinflammation in brain, and ends up with an increased susceptibility to neurodegenerative diseases. Based on the knowledge of mechanisms of phospholipid peroxidation, this review focuses on the characteristics of phospholipid peroxidation as a key factor in the development of neurodegenerative diseases, in order to provide theoretical basis for targeted intervention of phospholipid peroxidation as a potential strategy to prevent neurodegenerative diseases.
Patients with hypoxia pulmonary hypertension (HPH) are often accompanied by dyspnea, fatigue, and headache. With the development of the disease, the right ventricle gradually collapses and eventually leads to death. Hypoxic pulmonary vascular remodeling is an important pathological basis of HPH, and the remodeled pulmonary vessels will form permanent thickening. The mechanism of hypoxic pulmonary vascular remodeling is relatively complex. At present, there are few studies on drugs for pulmonary vascular remodeling on the market, mainly focusing on the alleviation of pulmonary vasoconstriction. It was found that hypoxia induces calcium overload in pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PASMCs), resulting in the proliferation of PASMCs. The main mechanisms include: ① abnormal expression of calcium pumps; ② abnormal calcium channels in the plasma membrane of pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells; ③ overexpression of calcium-sensitive receptors in cells; ④ the expression of Na+/Ca2+ exchanger type-1 was abnormal. This review summarized several mechanisms of hypoxia induced calcium overload leading to pulmonary artery remodeling, hoping to provide a new idea for the treatment of HPH.
Zanthoxyli Radix is a traditional Chinese medicine. It can be used for the treatment of wind-colddampness arthralgia, muscle and bone pain, fall fracture, hernia, sore throat, toothache and other diseases. Due to possessing many excellent and mild pharmacological properties, there are lots of reports about Zanthoxyli Radix worldwide. At present, more than 100 bioactive components have been extracted and purified from Zanthoxyli Radix. Nitidine chloride (NC), one of the most important alkaloids in Zanthoxyli Radix, has the activities of antitumor, anti-inflammation, anti-bacteria, etc. In this review, we summarize the chemical components of Zanthoxyli Radix, pharmacological activity and mechanism of action of NC to provide references for further research and utilization of Zanthoxyli Radix.
Bioisosterism is one of the most common strategies in drug structure optimization. With the development of medicinal and organic chemistry, more and more classic and non-classical bioisosteres are used in the design of novel drugs. In recent years, fluorinated groups as a bioisostere have been paid more and more attention by pharmaceutical chemists. This paper briefly reviews the physicochemical properties, chemical preparation methods of difluoromethyl (CF2H) group, and its application in drug design to provide references for drug discovery researchers.
Gastric pH is an important factor that affects drug absorption, as gastric pH may lead to lower bioavailability, especially for weak-base drugs. Acid-reducing agents (ARAs) such as antacids, histamine-2 receptor antagonists, and proton pump inhibitors, are susceptible to drug-drug interactions (DDIs), potentially resulting in the loss of efficacy. Physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) modeling is an important tool for the evaluation of oral drug-drug interactions and the most commonly used models include the advanced comparative absorption and transport (ACAT) model and the advanced dissolution, absorption and metabolism (ADAM) model. These models can be used for adjustment of the dosage regimen and the screening of candidate drugs in drug development by simulating the change of gastric pH to predict the change in drug absorption. This review summarizes the theoretical basis, the most common PBPK models used to predict drug absorption, and the effects of different kinds of ARAs drugs on gastric pH. Some successful applications of PBPK modeling in predicting the effects of gastric pH on drug absorption are also presented.
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