Diuretic Effect and Metabolomics Analysis of Crude and Salt-Processed Plantaginis Semen

Abstract

Plantaginis Semen (PS) is well recognized in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and health products. Crude PS (CPS) and salt-processed CPS (SPS) are the two most commonly used decoction pieces of PS, and are included in the 2020 edition of Chinese Pharmacopoeia. Although they all have multiple effects, the mechanisms for treating diseases are different and remain unclear, the processing mechanism of SPS is also indeterminate, which hinders their clinical application to a certain extent. In order to solve these problems and further develop PS in the clinical application. Here, we used saline-loaded model rats for experiments, and utilized an integrated approach consisting of pharmacological methods and metabolomics, which could assess the diuretic impact of CPS and SPS ethanol extracts on saline-loaded rats and elucidate the underlying mechanism. The results showed that CPS and SPS both produced increased urine volume excretion and urine electrolyte excretion, but the levels of aldosterone (ALD) and aquaporin 2 (AQP2) were decreased. And 30 differential metabolites such as linoleic acid, lysoPC(O-18:0), sphingosine-1-phosphate, lysoPC(18:0) were found, mainly involving three metabolic pathways. In conclusion, CPS and SPS both have a diuretic effect, and that of SPS is better. This work investigated the possible diuretic mechanisms of CPS and SPS which may also be the mechanism of PS for anti-hypertension. In addition, a holistic approach provided novel and helpful insights into the underlying processing mechanisms of TCM.

Beneficial effects of psyllium on the prevention and treatment of cardiometabolic diseases

“…In another saline-loaded rat, crude and salt-processed psyllium increased urine volume excretion and urine electrolyte excretion and decreased ALD and AQP2 levels. 110 Endothelial dysfunction may contribute to increased systemic vascular resistance, thus leading to the development of hypertension. In obese Zucker rats, psyllium treatment improved endothelial dysfunction and hypertension.…”

“…In another saline-loaded rat, crude and salt-processed psyllium increased urine volume excretion and urine electrolyte excretion and decreased ALD and AQP2 levels. 110…”

A deep clustering-based mass spectral data visualization strategy for anti-renal fibrotic lead compound identification from natural products

“…Plantaginis Semen (PS) is the seed of Plantago adsiatica L. and P. depressa Willd, which has been commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and Japanese Kampo. 12,13 PS is used to treat diseases such as diuresis, diarrhea, phlegm, dampness, and cough, and is especially used for the treatment of kidney disease nowadays. 12,14–16 It mainly contains phenylethanolic glycosides, flavonoids, phenolic acids, and fatty acids.…”

“…12,13 PS is used to treat diseases such as diuresis, diarrhea, phlegm, dampness, and cough, and is especially used for the treatment of kidney disease nowadays. 12,14–16 It mainly contains phenylethanolic glycosides, flavonoids, phenolic acids, and fatty acids. 17,18 Processing is a traditional preparation technology for the improvement of efficacy before clinical usage in TCM practice.…”

“…19,20 Stir-frying with salt (salt-processed Plantaginis Semen, SPS, or processed PS) is believed to strengthen the kidneys, relieve pain, ameliorate dryness, and increase the solubility of its bioactive components. 12,21 Geniposidic acid is used to treat diabetic nephropathy and colitis, 22 while acteoside and isoacteoside have therapeutic effects on kidney injury. 23,24 The changes in these bioactive components may be key to explaining the enhancing therapeutic effects after processing.…”