Identifying the functions and biomarkers of Codonopsis pilosula and Astragalus membranaceus aqueous extracts in hepatic cells

Abstract

BackgroundHomeostasis is a crucial concept used to describe the condition of patients and the roles of herbs in traditional Chinese medicine. Qi-deficiency pattern is one of the conditions when loss of homeostasis and is usually characterized by symptoms including lassitude, spontaneous sweating, and a weak pulse, which are not easy to quantitate. Codonopsis pilosula and Astragalus membranaceus were usually prescribed for carriers with hepatitis and patients with metastatic colon cancer, because these patients tended to experience fatigue. However, crude drugs were prescribed based on the exterior symptoms of patients without controlling clinical setting, such as gender, age, and dietary habits. Limited molecular evidence of using gene expression as the guide for description is available. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to identify potential and objective biomarkers of these two qi-related drugs in a simplified cellular system.MethodsAqueous extracts of crude qi-tonifying herbs, C. pilosula and A. membranaceus, and that of a qi-consuming drug, Citrus reticulata, were prepared. Human liver cancer HepG2 cells were treated with the extracts of qi-tonifying herbs for 24 h. Differentially expressed genes were identified using microarrays and quantitative RT-PCR (qRT-PCR) and validated in two other hepatocellular cell lines, Huh7 and L-02.ResultsA total of 67 differentially expressed probes that responded to both herbs were identified. A pathway analysis revealed that these genes were involved in the development, growth, movement, and viability of the liver cells.ConclusionsAfter qRT-PCR validation and examination of clinical data from public domains, our results showed that two genes, GDF15 and HMOX1, could serve as biomarkers in liver cells for identifying responses after treatment with C. pilosula and A. membranaceus.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (10.1186/s13020-019-0233-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Lobetyolin induces apoptosis of colon cancer cells by inhibiting glutamine metabolism

“…10 It was proposed that C pilosula restrained hepatocellular carcinoma via GDF15 and HMOX1. 11 Lobetyolin also presented cytotoxic activity against lung cancer. 12 Although there was limited literature focused on the pharmacological effect of Lobetyolin on colon cancer, we assumed that Lobetyolin might function as a therapeutic candidate for colorectal tumour.…”

“…Codonopsis pilosula component inhibited the cancer cell proliferation and migration . It was proposed that C pilosula restrained hepatocellular carcinoma via GDF15 and HMOX1 . Lobetyolin also presented cytotoxic activity against lung cancer .…”

Treatment with the herbal formulation Eefooton slows the progression of chronic kidney disease

“…A membranaceus has been commonly used as a hepatoprotective drug. [11,12] In a study of 86 patients with CKD, A membranaceus treatment for 3 months was observed to significantly decrease serum creatinine levels in patients, [13] indicating improved kidney function. A review of studies on the effects of A membranaceus on kidney function had reported that it had significantly reduced the serum creatinine especially in patients with baseline serum creatinine level at >133 μmol/L, [14] or 1.52 mg/dL.…”

The application of DNA molecular markers in the study of Codonopsis species genetic variation, a review

“…C. pilosula major components are Sterol, triterpenes, glycosides, alkaloids, polysaccharides (14). A couple of hundred years ago, the effectiveness and safety of C. pilosula for the therapy of chronic obstructive lung disease have been successively evaluated (15), and these have led to its utilization for treating patients having that disease (16). Occasionally, its roots can be used as a replacement for ginseng therapy (2).…”