The study of male reproductive aging and its associated concerns holds significant importance within the realm of health issues affecting the elderly population. Wubi Shanyao Pills (WSP), a traditional Chinese patent medicine originating from the Tang Dynasty, has been recognized for its ability to enhance male sexual functions while also tonifying the kidney and spleen. Nevertheless, the precise effects and underlying mechanisms through which WSP ameliorates the decline in reproductive function among aging men remain uncertain.

AIM OF THE STUDY:

This study elucidated the distinctive impacts of WSP on ameliorating the decline in reproductive function caused by natural aging, as well as its underlying mechanisms.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

Initially, male mice at the age of 15 months were administered WSP orally at doses of 0.375, 0.75, and 1.50 g/kg per day for a duration of 8 consecutive weeks. The impact of WSP on age-related manifestations in naturally aging mice was assessed based on their behavioral performance. The renal function of the mice was evaluated by measuring serum biochemical indicators, including Creatinine (CR), Uric acid (UA), and Blood urea nitrogen (BUN). Additionally, Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and Malonaldehyde (MDA) levels in renal tissue were determined using applied chemistry methods. Then assessed the levels of Nitric oxide (NO), Total nitric oxide synthase (T-NOS), Guanosine cyclase (GC), and Cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) in the penile tissue, as well as the expression of Endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and Guanylate Cyclase Activator (GUCA) protein, in order to investigate the erectile function of the penis. Additionally, the quality of epididymal sperm was examined using an electron microscope. Furthermore, the serum sex hormone level and related protein expression were determined through the utilization of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and immunohistochemistry techniques. Pathological alterations and the ultrastructure of the testis were investigated using hematoxylin-eosin staining and transmission electron microscopy. Subsequently, the apoptosis of spermatogenic cells in the testes was assessed employing TUNEL, immunofluorescence, western blotting, and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction.

RESULTS:

The administration of WSP has been found to enhance the behavioral performance and sexual behavior in aged mice. It's also could increase in serum levels of CR, UA, and BUN, as well as the elevation of SOD activity in kidney tissue, which subsequently leads to a reduction in MDA levels and an improvement in the structural damage caused by aging in the kidney tissue. Consequently, the renal function is enhanced. Additionally, WSP has been observed to elevate the levels of NO, T-NOS, GC, and cGMP in penile tissue, along with an increase in eNOS and GUCA protein expression, indicating an improvement in penile erectile function. The administration of WSP resulted in a decrease in the occurrence of programmed cell death in testicular germ cells, leading to an enhancement in sperm quality and the overall function of testicular spermatogenesis. This improvement can be attributed to the modulation of hormone levels and the regulation of SIRT1/3, p53, FOXO3, Bax, and Caspase-3 expression.

CONCLUSION:

Collectively, our findings indicate that the administration of WSP has the potential to impede the occurrence of programmed cell death in testicular cells by modulating the expression of SIRT1/3 and subsequent genes associated with apoptosis. Consequently, this regulatory mechanism facilitates the proliferation of testicular cells and sustains the spermatogenic function of the testes. Consequently, by modulating the levels of sexual hormones in naturally aging mice, WSP ultimately enhances the quality of sperm and reproductive function. Concurrently, it also ameliorates age-related behavioral changes, renal function, and erectile function.

2022-11-23·Open medicine (Warsaw, Poland)

The role of Shunaoxin pills in the treatment of chronic cerebral hypoperfusion and its main pharmacodynamic components

Article

作者: Chang, Nianwei ; Liu, Jiani ; Bai, Gang ; Liu, Wenjuan ; Zhang, Jin

Abstract:

Chronic cerebral hypoperfusion (CCH) is a frequent ischemic cerebrovascular disease that induces brain dysfunction. Shunaoxin pills (SNX) are traditional Chinese medicines (TCM), frequently used for the treatment of CCH. The purpose of this study was to develop an activity-based screening system to identify the active ingredients of SNX. We developed a model of CCH and revealed that SNX induces cerebrovascular dilatation and protects against CCH-induced nerve cell injury in rats. Using the transcriptome analysis, we found that Ca2+-related signaling pathways play a major role in the effect of SNX against CCH. We developed an activity-based screening system based on the ultra-high performance liquid chromatography with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry coupled with a dual-luciferase reporter calcium assay to identify the active components of SNX. As a result, SNX dilates cerebral blood vessels, increasing cerebral blood flow by modulating calcium-related signaling pathways and regulating calcium homeostasis. Two calcium antagonists, ligustilide and senkyunolide I, were identified as active ingredients in SNX. In conclusion, we developed a rapid screening method suitable for the discovery of active natural products in TCM by integrating genomics and target pathway-oriented spectroscopic analysis.

2022-04-14·Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM4区 · 医学

Integrated Network Pharmacology and UPLC/Q-TOF-MS Screen System to Exploring Anti-Inflammatory Active Components and Mechanism of Shunaoxin Pills

4区 · 医学

ArticleOA

作者: Jiang, Min ; Chang, Nianwei ; Bai, Gang ; Wang, Yu

Background. Chronic cerebral ischemia (CCI) is a pathological condition associated with a variety of cerebrovascular diseases. Shunaoxin pills (SNX) are a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) used to improve blood circulation. However, its multicomponent and multitarget features make it difficult to decipher the molecular mechanisms. Objective. Thus, in this study, we aimed to identify the key anti-inflammatory components of SNX as markers for standardization and quality control and the potential pharmacological mechanisms of SNX in the treatment of CCI by network pharmacology to provide scientific evidence of its clinical efficacy. Methods. We evaluated the anti-inflammatory effect of SNX using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectroscopy (UPLC/Q-TOF-MS) combined with a dual-luciferase reporter assay for nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) inhibition to identify the active components in SNX. In addition, key pathways involved in the anti-inflammatory effect of SNX were predicted using a network pharmacology approach, and some crucial proteins and pathways were further validated by Western blotting. Results. Shunaoxin pills inhibited NF-κB through tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) stimulation in 293T cells. The therapeutic effect may be related to 10 pathways regulated by ligustilide, ferulic acid, ligustrazine, and senkyunolide I. It was further confirmed that ligustilide could reduce the inflammatory response by inhibiting the phosphorylation of p38 and 3-phosphoinositide-dependent kinase 1 (PDK1). Conclusions. Ligustilide, senkyunolide I, ferulic acid, and ligustrazine could be used as anti-inflammatory Q-markers to control the quality of SNX, and p38 and PDK1 might be potential targets of SNX in the treatment of CCI.

100 项与舒肝顺气丸相关的药物交易

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