Network Pharmacology and Validation of the Combinative Therapy of Ligusticum striatum DC. and Borneolum against Cerebral Ischemia.

Background: Ligusticum striatum DC. (LDC) is often prescribed for Cerebral Ischemia (CI) and is commonly combined with Borneolum (BO) to enhance therapeutic outcomes. However, its specific active ingredients and underlying mechanisms remain unclear.

The mechanical mechanism of angiotensin II induced activation of hepatic stellate cells promoting portal hypertension.

In the development of chronic liver disease, the hepatic stellate cell (HSC) plays a pivotal role in increasing intrahepatic vascular resistance (IHVR) and inducing portal hypertension (PH) in cirrhosis. Our research demonstrated that HSC contraction, prompted by angiotensin II (Ang II), significantly contributed to the elevation of type I collagen (COL1A1) expression. This increase was intimately associated with enhanced cell tension and YAP nuclear translocation, mediated through α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) expression, microfilaments (MF) polymerization, and stress fibers (SF) assembly.

Catalpol Prevents Glomerular Angiogenesis Induced by Advanced Glycation End Products via Inhibiting Galectin-3.

Objective: The main characteristics of diabetic nephropathy (DN) at the early stage are abnormal angiogenesis of glomerular endothelial cells (GECs) and macrophage infiltration. Galectin-3 plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of DN via binding with its ligand, advanced glycation end products (AGEs). Catalpol, an iridoid glucoside extracted from Rehmannia glutinosa, has been found to ameliorate vascular inflammation, reduce endothelial permeability, and protect against endothelial damage in diabetic milieu.

Catalpol ameliorates endothelial dysfunction and inflammation in diabetic nephropathy via suppression of RAGE/RhoA/ROCK signaling pathway.

Catalpol is an iridoid glycoside compound isolated from the root of Rehmannia glutinosa, which has been reported to be a promising candidate for the treatment of diabetic diseases. The present study aimed at investigating the effects and potential mechanism of catalpol on endothelial dysfunction and inflammation in diabetic nephropathy (DN). We constructed DN mice and advanced glycation end products (AGEs)-induced mouse glomerular endothelial cells (mGECs) injury model.

Catalpol ameliorates diabetes-induced testicular injury and modulates gut microbiota.

Aims: To explore the mechanisms of diabetes mellitus (DM)-induced testicular injury caused by modulation of testicular glycolysis and gut microbiota (GM), and evaluation of the efficacy of catalpol in reversing testicular morbidity.

Main Methods: A model of DM-induced testicular injury was established using a high-fat diet in KK-Ay mice. Microbial communities in the feces of mice in normal, model and catalpol (Cat) groups were analyzed by 16S gene sequencing.

Loganin alleviates macrophage infiltration and activation by inhibiting the MCP-1/CCR2 axis in diabetic nephropathy.

Background/aims: The theory of inflammation is one of the important theories in the pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy (DN). We herein aimed to explore whether loganin affected macrophage infiltration and activation upon diabetic nephropathy (DN) by a spontaneous DN mice and a co-culture system of glomerular mesangial cells (GMCs) and macrophage cells (RAW264.7) which was induced by advanced glycation end products (AGEs).

Protective effects of catalpol on diabetes mellitus-induced male reproductive damage via suppression of the AGEs/RAGE/Nox4 signaling pathway.

Aims: Diabetes mellitus (DM)-induced reproductive damage is an important cause of infertility for male DM patients, we herein evaluated the effects of catalpol on diabetic reproductive damage through the suppression of the AGEs/RAGE/Nox4 signaling pathway.

Methods: KK-Ay diabetic reproductive damage mice were administered with catalpol for 8 weeks, the testis/body weight ratio, testicular histopathology, the levels of endogenous hormone and the activity of testicular marker enzymes were determined. In vitro, the GC-2 cell injury model was induced by advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) and pretreated with catalpol.

Catalpol ameliorates advanced glycation end product-induced dysfunction of glomerular endothelial cells via regulating nitric oxide synthesis by inducible nitric oxide synthase and endothelial nitric oxide synthase.

Catalpol (Cat.) is an iridoid glucoside extracted from the root of Rehmannia glutinosa Libosch. In this study, we investigated whether Cat.

Food-advanced glycation end products aggravate the diabetic vascular complications via modulating the AGEs/RAGE pathway.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of high-advanced glycation end products (AGEs) diet on diabetic vascular complications. The Streptozocin (STZ)-induced diabetic mice were fed with high-AGEs diet. Diabetic characteristics, indicators of renal and cardiovascular functions, and pathohistology of pancreas, heart and renal were evaluated.

Effect of morroniside on glomerular mesangial cells through AGE-RAGE pathway.

Diabetes mellitus is an endocrine and metabolic disease characterized by high blood glucose. Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is one of the most typical diabetic complications. Cornus officinalis is a type of traditional Chinese medicine that replenishes the liver and kidney.

Synergistic interaction of effective parts in Rehmanniae Radix and Cornus officinalis ameliorates renal injury in C57BL/KsJ-db/db diabetic mice: Involvement of suppression of AGEs/RAGE/SphK1 signaling pathway.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Rehmanniae Radix (RR) and Cornus officinalis (CO) are two traditional Chinese medicines widely used in China for treating diabetes mellitus and its complications, such as diabetic nephropathy. Iridoid glycoside of Cornus officinalis (IGCO), triterpenoid acid of Cornus officinalis (TACO) and iridoid glycoside of Rehmanniae Radix (IGRR) formed an innovative formula named combinatorial bioactive parts (CBP). The aims of the present study were to investigate the renoprotective effects of CBP on DN through the inhibition of AGEs/RAGE/SphK1 signaling pathway activation, and identify the advantage of CBP compared with IGCO, TACO, IGRR.

Loganin attenuates diabetic nephropathy in C57BL/6J mice with diabetes induced by streptozotocin and fed with diets containing high level of advanced glycation end products.

Aims: Diabetic nephropathy is the most common cause of end-stage renal disease in patients with diabetes. Advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) play a prominent role in the development of diabetic nephropathy. We herein evaluated the effects of loganin on diabetic nephropathy in vivo.

Protective effect of taurine on cardiotoxicity of the bufadienolides derived from toad (Bufo bufo gargarizans Canto) venom in guinea-pigs in vivo and in vitro.

In China, toad venom is an anti-inflammatory agent used in small doses for the treatment of various types of inflammation. Bufadienolides are cardioactive steroids responsible for the anti-inflammatory actions of toad venom. We studied the protective effect of taurine on the cardiotoxicity of bufadienolides in guinea-pigs.

The novel antidote Bezoar Bovis prevents the cardiotoxicity of Toad (Bufo bufo gargarizans Canto) Venom in mice.

Toad Venom, called chansu (CS) in China, is an anti-inflammatory drug used in small doses for the treatment of various types of inflammation in China. Its use is hampered by the cardiotoxicity of bufadienolides derived from Toad Venom. Bezoar Bovis is another frequently used drug in Toad Venom preparations for the treatment of inflammatory or cardiovascular diseases in Asia.