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Objective: To observe the effects of Danggui Shaoyao powder (DSP) on hepatic lipid metabolism and further explore its mechanism of action by peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPARγ)-liver X receptor (LXRα)-adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-binding cassette transporter A1 (ABCA1) pathway regulation. Methods: Eight C57BL/6J male mice were selected as the control group, and 24 ApoE−/− male mice were randomly divided into the atherosclerosis model (AS) group, atorvastatin calcium (AC) group, and DSP group (n = 8 each group). To establish an AS model, ApoE−/− mice were fed a high-fat diet for 16 weeks. Pathologic changes in the aortic vasculature and liver were identified using Oil Red O staining. Triglyceride (TG), cholesterol (TC), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels were determined in the livers using a single-reagent GPO-PAP method. Fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction and western blot were used to observe and evaluate the mRNA and protein expression of the PPARγ-LXRα-ABCA1 intermediates in the liver. Results: After 16 weeks of a high-fat diet, ApoE−/− mice showed more Oil Red O staining in the aorta and liver compared to the CONT group. Compared to the AS group, the DSP and AC treatment reduced aortic plaque and hepatic lipid deposition to varying degrees. Furthermore, DSP significantly reduced the hepatic lipid area in ApoE−/− mice (P

Introduction: Melasma is an acquired hypermelanosis and occurs in areas exposed to sunlight. Aim: To investigate the effectiveness of Danggui Shaoyao powder (DSP) as a complementary drug in the treatment of melasma. Material and methods: A total of 40 melasma patients over the age of 18 who met the inclusion criteria entered the study randomly in two DSP + Hydroquinone (DSP + H) and Hydroquinone (H) groups. Results: At the beginning of the study, the average MASI score of the two groups of patients had no statistical difference (DSP + H: 15.79 ±1.01 vs. H: 15.37 ±1.17, p = 0.23). But from the eighth week of treatment, the MASI score of the patients decreased significantly and in the DSP + H group it decreased statistically significantly compared to the H group (DSP + H: 5.83 ±0.97 vs. H: 8.29 ±2.23, p < 0.001 for the eighth week and DSP + H: 3.60 ±0.58 vs. H: 5.52 ±1.73, p < 0.001 for the twelfth week of the treatment). It means after 12 weeks of treatment, the average MASI score of patients in the DSP + H group decreased by 77.26 ±2.70%, but in the grroup H, it decreased by 64.31 ±9.68% (p < 0.001). Dynamic PGA showed that excellent treatment occurred in 65% of the + H group H, but only 20% of the H group (p = 0.01). Conclusions: Oral DSP for 12 weeks along with hydroquinone cream can significantly reduce the MASI score of melasma patients and increase the patients' recovery and satisfaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main pathogenesis of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) includes deficiency of healthy qi, blood stasis, and fluid retention. The root cause of BPH is the deficiency of healthy qi, for which Jingui Shenqi Pill and Zhenwu Decoction are used to nourish kidney qi and warm yang to promote diuresis. Blood stasis is the key pathogeneses of BPH, for which Guizhi Fuling Pill and Didang Decoction are used to dissipate blood stasis, relieve obstruction of orifices and facilitate bowel movement. Fluid retention is the most urgent symptom of BPH, for which Wuling Powder and Danggui Shaoyao Powder are used to transform qi and promote diuresis, addressing the urgent symptoms.

Abstract Background The incidence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has been on the rise in recent years, and there are no effective drugs to treat NAFLD; therefore, effective prevention and treatment of NAFLD have become a new challenge. Danggui Shaoyao Powder (DGSY) is a classic prescription commonly used in clinical practice and has been shown to reduce hepatic steatosis in patients with NAFLD. In addition, previous studies have shown that DGSY can alleviate hepatic steatosis and inflammation in NAFLD mice. Although clinical practice and basic studies have shown that DGSY is effective in NAFLD, high levels of clinical evidence are lacking. Therefore, a standardized RCT study protocol is required to evaluate its clinical efficacy and safety. Methods and analysis This study will be a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, and single-center trial. According to the random number table, NAFLD participants will be randomly divided into the DGSY or placebo group for 24 weeks. The follow-up period will be 6 weeks after drug withdrawal. The primary outcome is the relative change in MRI-proton density fat fraction (MRI-PDFF) from baseline to 24 weeks. Absolute changes in serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), liver stiffness measurement (LSM), body mass index (BMI), blood lipid, blood glucose, and insulin resistance index will be selected as secondary outcomes to comprehensively evaluate the clinical efficacy of DGSY in the treatment of NAFLD. The safety of DGSY will be evaluated by renal function, routine blood and urine tests, and electrocardiogram. Discussion This study will provide evidence-based medical corroboration for the clinical application of DGSY and promote the development and application of this classic prescription. Trial registration http://www.chictr.org.cn . Trial number: ChiCTR2000029144. Registered on 15 Jan 2020.

Background: The incidence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has been on the rise in recent years, and there are no effective drugs to treat NAFLD; therefore, effective prevention and treatment of NAFLD have become a new challenge. Danggui Shaoyao Powder (DGSY) is a classic prescription commonly used in clinical practice and has been shown to reduce hepatic steatosis in patients with NAFLD. In addition, previous studies have shown that DGSY can alleviate hepatic steatosis and inflammation in NAFLD mice. Although clinical practice and basic studies have shown that DGSY is effective in NAFLD, high levels of clinical evidence are lacking. Therefore, a standardized RCT study protocol is required to evaluate its clinical efficacy and safety. Methods and analysis: This study will be a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, and single-center trial. According to the random number table, NAFLD participants will be randomly divided into the DGSY or placebo group for 24 weeks. The follow-up period will be 6 weeks after drug withdrawal. The primary outcome is the relative change in MRI-proton density fat fraction (MRI-PDFF) from baseline to 24 weeks. Absolute changes in serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), liver stiffness measurement (LSM), body mass index (BMI), blood lipid, blood glucose, and insulin resistance index will be selected as secondary outcomes to comprehensively evaluate the clinical efficacy of DGSY in the treatment of NAFLD. The safety of DGSY will be evaluated by renal function, routine blood and urine tests, and electrocardiogram. Discussion: This study will provide evidence-based medical corroboration for the clinical application of DGSY and promote the development and application of this classic prescription. Trial registration: http://www.chictr.org.cn. Trial number: ChiCTR2000029144. Registered on 15 Jan 2020. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: To probe into the mechanism of Danggui Shaoyao powder in “ homotherapy for heteropathy” for chronic pelvic inflammatory disease (CPID) and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) based on network pharmacology method and molecular docking technology. METHODS: Database of Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform was used to screen the active ingredients and targets of Danggui Shaoyao powder, GeneCards, DrungBank and OMIM database were used to obtain CPID and PCOS related proteins, the intersection targets of drugs and diseases were taken to map Venn diagram. Cytoscape 3. 9. 1 software was used to map component-target network diagram of Danggui Shaoyao powder for the treatment of CPID and PCOS, STRING platform was used to construct protein-protein interaction (PPI) network of drug-disease target proteins, BioGPS online software was used to retrieve and map “key target-organ tissue” network diagram, DAVID database was used to perform gene ontology (GO) functional enrichment analysis and Kyoto Gene and Genome Encyclopedia pathway enrichment analysis. The key active ingredients of drug and the core targets of disease were then extracted to perform molecular docking by using Autodock Vina software. RESULTS: Totally 74 active ingredients of Danggui Shaoyao powder were screened out, and a total of 70 action targets of Danggui Shaoyao powder were identified; results of PPI network analysis indicated that interleukin (IL) 6, tumor necrosis factor (TNF), protein kinase B (Akt) 1 and prostaglandin G/ H synthase (PTGS) 2 may be the key targets of Danggui Shaoyao powder for the treatment of CPID and PCOS. A total of 523 GO biological processes and 132 related signaling pathways were obtained, among which the signaling pathways such as TNF, IL-17 and Toll-like protein were closely related to the treatment of CPID and PCOS. Active ingredients such as β-sitosterol, stigmasterol and sitosterol were in good docking with the core targets such as PTGS2, TNF and Akt1. CONCLUSIONS: Danggui Shaoyao powder in the treatment of CPID and PCOS through multiple components, multiple targets and multiple signaling pathways, which is closely related to the antiinflammatory and immune-regulation effects, and can provide new ideas for further basic research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Patients with hepatic encephalopathy (HE) have many triggers and a high mortality rate. The protective effect of existing therapeutic drugs on the liver is weak. We found that Danggui Shaoyao Powder can improve the symptoms of HE and may have a better liver protection effect. And the mechanism of it is unclear., Objective: The research explores the mechanism of Danggui Shaoyao Powder for the treatment of HE through network pharmacology, molecular docking and molecular dynamics., Methods: Targets of Danggui Shaoyao Powder were screened from Traditional Chinese Medicine System Pharmacology Platform (TCMSP), SwissTargetPrediction, and Uniport. GeneCards was used to gain targets of HE. Further, core targets and ingredients were screened by protein-protein interaction network (PPI) and herbs-compounds-targets network. Gene Ontology (GO), and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analysis were completed to screen relative sites and signaling pathways. Molecular docking and dynamics were used to show the stability of ligand-receptor complexes., Results: IL6, SRC and kaempferol, beta-sitosterol were screened as the top two core targets and ingredients. Dendrites, dendritic trees, and membrane sides were defined as the main sites of action. Core signaling pathways were screened such as: PI3K-Akt and MAPK. Molecular docking shows well-defined binding sites and the stability of the binding is demonstrated by molecular dynamics., Conclusion: Through this study, Danggui Shaoyao Powder may act on IL6, SRC, and other targets through ingredients such as kaempferol and beat-sitosterol and regulate signaling pathways such as PI3K-Akt, MAPK and NF-κB to the treatment of HE., (Copyright© Bentham Science Publishers; For any queries, please email at epub@benthamscience.net.)

OBJECTIVE: To explore the multi-component, multi-target and multi-pathway mechanism of Danggui Shaoyao powder in the treatment of primary dysmenorrhea (PD). METHODS: The effective components, action targets and disease targets of Danggui Shaoyao powder were screened by searching the public databases, and the drug component target genes and disease target genes were obtained by R software. The protein-protein interaction (PPI) network of target proteins was constructed by STRING database. The network topology attribute analysis software Cytoscape 3. 8. 0 was used to construct the active component-target network diagram. Biological information annotation database (DAVID) was used for enrichment analysis of target gene ontology (GO) biological processes and metabolic pathways in Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG). The first few key targets with high degree of PPI network were selected for molecular docking with the corresponding active components. RESULTS: According to the network pharmacology results, kaempferol, beta-sitosterol, myricanone, stigmasterol, et al are the main effective components of Danggui Shaoyao Powder, which participated in the biological process of MAPK signaling pathway, Calcium signaling pathway, NF-κB signaling pathway, et al by regulating prostaglandin lead oxide synthase within 2 (PTGS2), estrogen receptor 1 ( ESR1 ), protein kinase B1 ( Akt1 ), aryl hydrocarbon receptor ( AHR) and progesterone receptor (PGR), and other key genes, so as to play a role in relieving dysmenorrhea. Molecular docking results showed that kaempferol interacted with PTGS2 and showed the stable state after binding. CONCLUSIONS: This study preliminarily clarified the main targets and pathways of Danggui Shaoyao powder in the treatment of PD, and provided a certain reference for subsequent in-depth research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To observe the changes in endometrial pinopodes and nuclear factor-κb（NF-κB）and transforming growth factor β1（TGF-β1）protein expression in rats with chronic endometritis（CE）after intragastric administration of modified Danggui Shaoyao powder. Methods Sixty female SD rats were randomly divided into the blank group, model group, gynecological Qianjin capsule group, herbal high-dose group, herbal medium-dose group and herbal low-dose group, with 10 rats in each group. The CE model was prepared by using 25% phenol mucilage in the model group, herb⁃ al high-dose group, herbal medium-dose group, herbal low-dose group and gynecological Qianjin capsule group. The rats in the herbal high-dose, medium-dose and low-dose groups were respectively given 25. 92, 12. 96, and 6. 48 g/kg modified Danggui Shaoyao powder；the rats in the gynecological Qianjin capsule group were given 0. 216 g/kg gynecological Qianjin capsule；the rats in the blank group and model group were given equivalent normal saline. After 21 d of treatment, uterine tissues were collected from each group, and the endometrial pinopodes were observed by electron microscopy, and NF-κB and TGF-β1 proteins were detected by Western blotting. Results Compared with the blank group, the endometrial pinopodes in the model group were immature and less in number；compared with the model group, the endometrial pinopodes in the herbal high-dose group and herbal medium-dose group tended to be mature and more in number, while the endometrial pinopodes in the gynecological Qianjin capsule group and herbal low-dose group were moderately developed and less in number. The expression levels of NF-κB and TGF-β1 protein in the uterine tissues of rats in the model group were higher than those in the blank group；compared with the model group, the expression levels of NF- κB and TGF- β1 protein in the herbal high-dose group and herbal medium-dose group as well as the gynecological Qianjin capsule group were lower（all P<0. 01）. Conclusion The results shown that endometrial pinopodes can be improved and NF- κB and TGF-β1 protein expression levels can be down-regulated by the modified Danggui Shaoyao powder in rats with CE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The research of modern pharmacology displays that main material basis of Danggui Shaoyao Powder exerting efficacy includes ligustilide, paeoniflorin, poria acid, ferulic acid, ligustrazine and so on, and its efficacy is mainly realized by regulating neural receptor-ligand interaction, cytokine release, and TNF-α inflammatory pathway. Systematic study of metabonomics, serum pharmacochemistry and network pharmacology of Danggui Shaoyao Powder sufficiently clarifies its potential pharmacodynamic mechanism, and it could provide scientific theoretical basis for its clinical application. In this paper, by systemically analyzing material basis of Danggui Shaoyao Powder, and exploring its complex pharmacological mechanism and clinical application in vivo, it could comprehensively understand the clinical value of Danggui Shaoyao Powder, so as to provide beneficial reference for further development of the material basis, quality control and classical prescription of Danggui Shaoyao Powder. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To explore the mechanism of Danggui Shaoyao powder in the treatment of depression based on network pharmacology. Methods We searched and screened the active ingredients of Danggui Shaoyao powder and their corresponding targets in the TCMSP database，and obtained the related gene targets of depression in the OMIM and PharmGkb databases. We imported the target protein through String platform，and analyzed and obtained the key targets with Cytoscape 3. 8. 0 software. We used Funrich software to perform GO enrichment and KEGG analysis on key targets， constructed Danggui Shaoyao powder "active ingredients-targets-disease" network through Cytoscape 3. 8. 0，and used AutoDock 4. 2. 6 software for molecular docking. Results Danggui Shaoyao powder had 54 active ingredients，44 repeated targets for drugs and diseases. After GO enrichment analysis，a total of 234 items were obtained under the condition of P<0. 05，including 175 items for biological processes，30 items for cell composition，and 29 items for molecular functions. KEGG pathway analysis revealed 64 pathways. The molecular docking results showed that the antidepressant potential active ingredients of Danggui Shaoyao powder had higher degrees in betasitosterol，Myricanone，Paeoniflorin，and stigmaster‑ ol. Conclusion Danggui Shaoyao powder can synergistically exert antidepressant effects through multiple active ingredients，multiple targets，and multiple pathways. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the mechanism of Danggui Shaoyao Powder(DSP) against mitophagy in rat model of Alzheimer's disease(AD) induced by streptozotocin(STZ) based on PTEN induced putative kinase 1(PINK1)-Parkin signaling pathway. The AD rat model was established by injecting STZ into the lateral ventricle, and the rats were divided into normal group, model group, DSP low-dose group(12 g·kg~(-1)·d~(-1)), DSP medium-dose group(24 g·kg~(-1)·d~(-1)), and DSP high-dose group(36 g·kg~(-1)·d~(-1)). Morris water maze test was used to detect the learning and memory function of the rats, and transmission electron microscopy and immunofluorescence were employed to detect mitophagy. The protein expression levels of PINK1, Parkin, LC3BⅠ/LC3BⅡ, and p62 were assayed by Western blot. Compared with the normal group, the model group showed a significant decrease in the learning and memory function(P&lt;0.01), reduced protein expression of PINK1 and Parkin(P&lt;0.05), increased protein expression of LC3BⅠ/LC3BⅡ and p62(P&lt;0.05), and decreased occurrence of mitophagy(P&lt;0.01). Compared with the model group, the DSP medium-and high-dose groups notably improved the learning and memory ability of AD rats, which mainly manifested as shortened escape latency, leng-thened time in target quadrants and elevated number of crossing the platform(P&lt;0.05 or P&lt;0.01), remarkably activated mitophagy(P&lt;0.05), up-regulated the protein expression of PINK1 and Parkin, and down-regulated the protein expression of LC3BⅠ/LC3BⅡ and p62(P&lt;0.05 or P&lt;0.01). These results demonstrated that DSP might promote mitophagy mediated by PINK1-Parkin pathway to remove damaged mitochondria and improve mitochondrial function, thereby exerting a neuroprotective effect.