Network pharmacology, experimental validation and pharmacokinetics integrated strategy to reveal pharmacological mechanism of goutengsan on methamphetamine dependence.

Background: Goutengsan (GTS) is a traditional Chinese medicine formula that can improve multiple nervous system diseases, such as methamphetamine (MA) dependence. However, the mechanism how GTS treats MA dependence remains unclear. This study was aimed to investigate the action mechanism of GTS on MA dependence using network pharmacology, / experimental validation, pharmacokinetics, and tissue distribution in the brain.

Exploring the mechanism of Cinnamomi Cortex against morphine addiction using network pharmacology and molecular docking analyses.

Cinnamomi Cortex is a commonly used herb with a variety of pharmacological effects. We investigated the molecular mechanisms by which Cinnamomi Cortex antagonises morphine addiction (MA) using network pharmacology and molecular docking techniques in a morphine-dependent rat withdrawal model. The antagonistic effect of Cinnamomi Cortex was observed by inducing withdrawal symptoms in morphine-dependent rats through a dose-escalation method.

Impact of Altered Gut Microbiota on Ketamine-Induced Conditioned Place Preference in Mice.

Objects: Ketamine is a drug of abuse worldwide and current treatments for ketamine abuse are inadequate. It is an urgent need to develop novel anti-addictive strategy. Since gut microbiota plays a crucial role in drug abuse, the present study investigates the impact and mechanisms of the gut microbiota in addictive behaviors induced by ketamine addiction.

Host miR-129-5p reverses effects of ginsenoside Rg1 on morphine reward possibly mediated by changes in and serotonin metabolism in hippocampus.

Morphine addiction is closely associated with dysbiosis of the gut microbiota. miRNAs play a crucial role in regulating intestinal bacterial growth and are involved in the development of disease. Ginsenoside Rg1 exhibits an anti-addiction effect and significantly improves intestinal microbiota disorders.

Polysaccharide of Alocasia cucullata Exerts Antitumor Effect by Regulating Bcl-2, Caspase-3 and ERK1/2 Expressions during Long-Time Administration.

Objective: To study the in vitro and in vivo antitumor effects of the polysaccharide of Alocasia cucullata (PAC) and the underlying mechanism.

Methods: B16F10 and 4T1 cells were cultured with PAC of 40 µg/mL, and PAC was withdrawn after 40 days of administration. The cell viability was detected by cell counting kit-8.

Rhynchophylline inhibits methamphetamine dependence via modulating the miR-181a-5p/GABRA1 axis.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Uncaria rhynchophylla (Miq.) Miq. ex Havil.

Isoalantolactone Induces Cell Cycle Arrest, Apoptosis and Autophagy in Colorectal Cancer Cells.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is an aggressive cancer. Isoalantolactone (IATL) has been reported to exert cytotoxicity against various cancer cells, but not CRC. In this study, we explored the anti-CRC effects and mechanism of action of IATL and .

Effects of Miller Petroleum Ether Extract on Complete Freund's Adjuvant-Induced Rheumatoid Arthritis in Rats and its Potential Molecular Mechanisms.

To investigate the therapeutic effect of petroleum ether extract of Miller (PEEP) on rheumatoid arthritis (RA). : The Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) was used to detect cell activity and select the optimal concentration of the extract; the effective site was screened by nitric oxide (NO) colorimetric method and Q-PCR method; the expression of p38, p-p38, p-MK2, and Tristetraprolin (TTP) in RAW 264.7 cells were detected by Western blot.

Ginsenoside Rg1 mitigates morphine dependence via regulation of gut microbiota, tryptophan metabolism, and serotonergic system function.

Background: Morphine dependence, a devastating neuropsychiatric condition, may be closely associated with gut microbiota dysbiosis. Ginsenoside Rg1 (Rg1), an active ingredient extracted from the roots of Panax ginseng C.A.

Decrease of morphine-CPP by sinomenine via mediation of tyrosine hydroxylase, NMDA receptor subunit 2B and opioid receptor in the zebrafish brain.

To study the effects of sinomenine on conditioned place preference (CPP) zebrafish induced by morphine and expression levels of intracephalic tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), NMDA receptor subunit 2B (NR2B), μ-opioid receptor (zfmor) and δ-opioid receptors (zfdor1 and zfdor2), morphine (40mg/kg) was administrated to zebrafish and the effect of CPP was detected in these zebrafish treated with sinomenine. The expression of TH and NR2B was detected by immunohistochemistry; and the mRNA expression of opioid receptors zfmor, zfdor1 and zfdor2 in the zebrafish brain was assayed by RT-qPCR. In the CPP test, morphine induced significant behavioral alteration, while pretreatment with sinomenine or methadone, resulted in decreased activity time in the morphine-paired compartment significantly.

Extracellular Vesicle-Encapsulated miR-183-5p from Rhynchophylline-Treated H9c2 Cells Protect against Methamphetamine-Induced Dependence in Mouse Brain by Targeting NRG1.

Methamphetamine (Meth) is a highly addictive substance and the largest drug threat across the globe. There is evidence to indicate that Meth use has serious damage on central nervous system (CNS) and heart in several animal and human studies. However, the connection in the process of Meth addiction between these two systems has not been determined.

Antibiotic-Driven Gut Microbiome Disorder Alters the Effects of Sinomenine on Morphine-Dependent Zebrafish.

Morphine is one of the most severely abused drugs in the world. Previous research on morphine addiction has focused on the central nervous system (CNS). Studies have shown that a two-way regulation of the brain and gut microbiota (GM), suggesting a link between GM and CNS disease.

Curcumin Enhances Radiosensitization of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma via Mediating Regulation of Tumor Stem-like Cells by a CircRNA Network.

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are involved in cancer development via inhibition of miRNAs, which are associated with differentiation, proliferation, migration, and carcinogenicity. Curcumin has antioxidant and anti-cancer properties, and it has also been used as a radiosensitizer. In this study, we explored the potential relationships among curcumin, circRNAs, and nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC).

Expression of miR-133a-5p and ROCK2 in Heart in Methamphetamine-Induced Rats and Intervention of Rhynchophylline.

Introduction: Rhynchophylline, as a traditional Chinese medicine, was used for the treatment of drug addiction.

Objective: To investigate miRNAs expression profile in the rat hearts of methamphetamine dependence and the intervention mechanisms of rhynchophylline.

Materials And Methods: This study detected the expression profile of miRNAs in the methamphetamine-induced rat hearts by microarray and verified the expression of miR-133a-5P and Rho-associated, coiled-coil containing protein kinase 2 (ROCK2) protein.

Aloperine induces apoptosis and G2/M cell cycle arrest in hepatocellular carcinoma cells through the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) ranks third among the most common causes of cancer-related deaths worldwide. The chemotherapy for HCC is still insufficient, so far. In searching for effective anti-HCC agents from traditional Chinese medicine, we discovered that aloperine (ALO), a quinolizidine alkaloid from Sophora alopecuroides L.

Sinomenine Protects Against Morphine Dependence through the NMDAR1/CAMKII/CREB Pathway: A Possible Role of Astrocyte-Derived Exosomes.

Sinomenine is a nonaddictive alkaloid used to prevent morphine dependence, even thoughits mechanism isnot fully understood. Astrocytes aggravate the pathological process in their neighboring cellsthrough exosomes in central nervous system diseases. However, the effect of sinomenine on astrocyte-derived exosomes for the amelioration of morphine dependence has not been reported yet.

Expression of miRNAs in Serum Exosomes versus Hippocampus in Methamphetamine-Induced Rats and Intervention of Rhynchophylline.

Objective: To compare the expressions of miRNAs (microRNAs) in serum exosomes and in hippocampus and to provide insights into the miRNA-mediated relationship between peripheral and central nervous systems in the presence of methamphetamine.

Methods: Published results on conditioned place preference (CPP) in rats conditioned by methamphetamine were replicated. The expressions of miRNAs in serum exosomes and hippocampus were determined by gene-chip sequencing.

Rhynchophylline Downregulates Phosphorylated cAMP Response Element Binding Protein, Nuclear Receptor-related-1, and Brain-derived Neurotrophic Factor Expression in the Hippocampus of Ketamine-induced Conditioned Place Preference Rats.

Background: Addiction to ketamine is becoming a serious public health issues, for which there exists no effective treatment. Rhynchophylline (Rhy) is an alkaloid extracted from certain species that is well known for both its potent anti-addictive and neuroprotective properties. Increasing evidence supports the contributions of cAMP response element binding protein (CREB), nuclear receptor-related-1 (Nurr1), and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in modulating neural and behavioral plasticity which was induced by addictive drugs.

Expression of microRNAs in the serum exosomes of methamphetamine-dependent rats vs. ketamine-dependent rats.

Drug abuse is a public health and social problem. A number of studies have reported that drug addiction is associated with microRNAs (miRNAs). By comparing the expression of miRNAs in the serum exosomes of methamphetamine-dependent and ketamine-dependent rats, the aim of the present study was to provide insights into the miRNA-mediated associations between the two groups.

Effects of rhynchophylline on the hippocampal miRNA expression profile in ketamine-addicted rats.

In the past few years, ketamine, a noncompetitive NMDA antagonist, has been widely abused worldwide as a new type of synthetic drug, severely affecting the physical and mental health of ketamine abusers. Previous studies have suggested that rhynchophylline can alleviate drug abuse and reverse the conditioned place preference caused by the abuse. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are important factors regulating gene expression and are involved in the drug addiction process.

Use of an UHPLC-MS/MS Method for Determination of Kuraridin and Characterization of Its Metabolites in Rat Plasma after Oral Administration.

Kuraridin is an active natural prenylated flavonoid ingredient originating from the well-known traditional Chinese medicine Ait., that possesses various bioactivities, such as antitumor activity, PLC1 inhibitory activity, glycosidase inhibitory activity, etc. However, there is no report on the plasma metabolic profile and pharmacokinetic study of kuraridin.

In vitro and in vivo anti-malignant melanoma activity of Alocasia cucullata via modulation of the phosphatase and tensin homolog/phosphoinositide 3-kinase/AKT pathway.

Alocasia cucullata, a Chinese herb, has been used as an anticancer treatment in southern China. Phosphatase and tensin (PTEN), is a tumor suppressor gene and the loss of PTEN expression may activate the phosphoinositide-3-kinase (PI3K)/AKT signaling pathway which play a key role in tumors formation and progression. In this study, we evaluated the anti-melanoma effect and the underlying mechanism of 50% ethanolic extract of A.

Effect of Sinomenine on the Morphine-Dependence and Related Neural Mechanisms in Mice.

Evidence suggests that the dopamine receptor rate-limiting enzyme, tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), and the glutamate receptor, N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor 2B (NR2B), contribute to morphine dependence. Previous studies show that chronic exposure to morphine changes the expression of opioid receptors. In this study, we focus on the effects of sinomenine on morphine-dependent mice and its related neural mechanisms.