Integrative transcriptomics and metabolomics analyses provide hepatotoxicity mechanisms of asarum

Abstract

Asarum is frequently applied in combination with other agents for prescriptions in practices of Traditional Chinese Medicine. A number of studies have previously indicated that asarum treatment induces lung toxicity by triggering inflammation. However, the potential effects of asarum in the liver and the underlying mechanisms have remained largely elusive. Therefore, transcriptomics and metabolomics approaches were used in the present study to examine the mechanisms of the hepatotoxicity of asarum. Specifically, mRNA and metabolites were obtained from rat liver samples following intragastric administration of asarum powder. RNA sequencing analysis was subsequently performed to screen for differentially expressed genes (DEGs), and a total of 434 DEGs were identified in liver tissue samples, 214 of which were upregulated and 220 were downregulated. Pathway enrichment analysis found that these genes were particularly enriched in processes including the regulation of p53 signaling, metabolic pathways and bile secretion. To investigate potential changes to the metabolic profile as a result of asarum treatment, a metabolomics analysis was performed, which detected 14 significantly altered metabolites in rat liver samples by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. These metabolites were predominantly members of the taurine, hypotaurine and amino acid metabolic pathways. Metscape network analyses were subsequently performed to integrate the transcriptomics and metabolomics data. Integrative analyis revealed that the DEGs and metabolites were primarily associated with bile acid biosynthesis, amino acid metabolism and the p53 signaling pathway. Taken together, these results provide novel insight into the mechanism of asarum-mediated hepatotoxicity, which may potentially aid the clinical diagnosis and future therapeutic intervention of asarum poisoning.

Protective effect of Xixin–Ganjiang herb pair for warming the lungs to dissolve phlegm in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease rats based on integrated network pharmacology and metabolomics

“…In PLS‐DA analysis, samples were maximally separated between the normal and COPD groups (Figure 7c), with R2 = 0.999 and Q2 = 0.992, and between the COPD and XGHP groups (Figure 7d), with R2 = 0.982 and Q2 = 0.681, indicating good modeling (Cao et al, 2020). Based on VIP > 1, p < 0.05 (Table 1), 15 metabolites were identified as potential biomarkers.…”

“…PCA allows for a reliable mathematical model to summarize the metabolic characteristics of the samples, whereas PLS-DA can further amplify the differences between groups (Cao et al, 2020). The samples from different groups in the PCA plot were generally clustered (Figure 7a).…”

Efficacy and safety of Sanfeng Tongqiao Diwan in patients with allergic rhinitis: a single-arm clinical trial in China

“…Jingjie contains 1-pulegone, benzofurans, 3-octanol, and B-pinene. In addition, Xixin contains methyl eugenol and N-isobutyl dodecatetraenamide, among others, and its water or alcohol extract can reduce the release of total allergic mediators in immediate allergic reactions by more than 40% (11). Qianghuo contains substances such as purpurin, among others, which have anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects (12).…”

Integrated Metabolomics and Network Pharmacology to Establish the Action Mechanism of Qingrekasen Granule for Treating Nephrotic Syndrome

“…The GC-MS was performed as previously described ( Cao et al, 2020 ), using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometer (7,890B–5977B, Agilent Technologies, CA, United States) equipped with a DB-5MS quartz capillary column (0.25 mm × 30 mm, 0.25 μm). Analysis was performed using 1 µL injection volume with helium as the carrier gas (99.999%).…”