Identification of chikusetsusaponin IVa as a novel lysine-specific demethylase 1 inhibitor that ameliorates high fat diet-induced MASLD in mice.

Diet-induced metabolic dysfunction steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is also called as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) with limited effective strategies available. We previously have shown that chikusetsusaponin IVa (CHS), a dietary saponin from herbs in South American known for their metabolic benefits, mitigates diet-induced diabetes. In this study we investigated the beneficial effects of CHS on MASLD and the underlying mechanisms.

Effects and Mechanism of Combination of Rhein and Danshensu in the Treatment of Chronic Kidney Disease.

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) plays a systemic role in disease treatment, targeting multiple etiological factors simultaneously. Based on clinical experience, rhubarb and Salvia miltiorrhiza are commonly prescribed together for the treatment of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and have been proven to be very effective. However, the rationale of the combination remains unclear.

Insulinotropic effect of Chikusetsu saponin IVa in diabetic rats and pancreatic β-cells.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: As a well-known traditional Chinese medicine the root bark of Aralia taibaiensis has traditionally been used as the medicine considered alleviating several disorders including diabetes mellitus (DM). Chikusetsu saponin IVa (CHS) has been defined as a major active ingredient of triterpenoid saponins extracted from Aralia taibaiensis. The scientific evidence of anti-diabetic effect for CHS remains unknown and the purpose of our study was to study its hypoglycemic and insulin secretagogue activities.

Antihyperglycemic, hypolipidemic and antioxidant activities of total saponins extracted from Aralia taibaiensis in experimental type 2 diabetic rats.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: As a well-known traditional Chinese medicine the root bark of Aralia taibaiensis has multiple pharmacological activities, including relieving rheumatism, promoting blood circulation to arrest pain, inducing diuresis to reduce edema, and antidiabetic action. It has long been used as a folk medicine for the treatment of traumatic injury, rheumatic arthralgia, nephritis, edema, hepatitis and diabetes mellitus in China.

Aim Of Study: To evaluate the antihyperglycemic, hypolipidemic and antioxidant activities of total saponins extracted from Aralia taibaiensis (SAT) in experimental type 2 diabetic mellitus (T2DM) rats.

Dissection of mechanisms of a chinese medicinal formula: danhong injection therapy for myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury in vivo and in vitro.

Traditional Chinese medicine uses a systemic treatment approach, targeting multiple etiological factors simultaneously. Danhong injection (DHI), a very popular Chinese medicine injection, is reported to be effective for many cardiovascular conditions. The primary active ingredients of DHI, and their systemic and interrelated mechanism have not been evaluated in an established myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (MI/R) model.

Safflor yellow A protects neonatal rat cardiomyocytes against anoxia/reoxygenation injury in vitro.

Aim: To investigate the effects of safflor yellow A (SYA), a flavonoid extracted from Carthamus tinctorius L, on cultured rat cardiomyocytes exposed to anoxia/reoxygenation (A/R).

Methods: Primary cultured neonatal rat cardiomyocytes were exposed to anoxia for 3 h followed by reoxygenation for 6 h. The cell viability was measured using MTT assay.

Insulin-secretagogue activity of eleven plant extracts and twelve pure compounds isolated from Aralia taibaiensis.

Aims: To investigate the insulinogenic activities of the eleven saponins enriched traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) extracts.

Main Methods: Radioimmunoassay and trypan blue exclusion assay were used to investigate the insulinogenic activity and cytotoxic effects respectively.

Key Findings: The total saponin extract of Aralia taibaiensis (sAT) exhibited highest insulinogenic activity and no cytotoxicity was recorded.