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Objective：To study effect and mechanism of Wu-Mei-Wan on improving colonic mucosal inflammatory response and pyroptosis in rats with ulcerative colitis (UC) via regulating NOD-like receptor family pyrin domain containing 3(NLRP3) inflammasome. Methods： Male SD rats were selected for animal experiments. UC model was established by enema with 2,4,6-trinitroben⁃zene sulfonic acid. After model was established, different doses of Wu-Mei-Wan were given by gavage, negative control (NC-lentivirus (LV) or NLRP3-LV were injected by tail vein. Disease activity index (DAI) of rats in each group was evaluated, length of colon was measured, pathological changes and histopathological scores, contents of IL-1β, IL-18, GSDMD-N, NLRP3 and Cleaved caspase-1 expressions in colon tissues were detected. Results： Typical UC pathological changes were found in colon mucosa of UC group, DAI, histopathological score, IL-1β, IL-18 contents, GSDMD-N, NLRP3 and Cleaved caspase-1 expressions in colon tissues of UC group were higher than control group, and colon length was shorter than control group (P<0.05). UC pathological changes of colon mucosa of rats in different concentrations of Wu-Mei-Wan groups were improved, DAI, histopathological score, IL-1β, IL-18 con⁃ tents, GSDMD-N, NLRP3 and Cleaved caspase-1 expressions in colon tissues were lower than UC group, and colon length was longer than UC group (P<0.05). LV was injected simultaneously with intragastric administration of high-dose Wu-Mei-Wan, pathological changes of UC in colon mucosa of rats in NLRP3-LV+NC+high-dose Wu-Mei-Wan group was aggravated, DAI, histopathological score, IL-1β, IL-18 contents, GSDMD-N, NLRP3 and Cleaved caspase-1 expressions in colon tissues were higher than NC-LV+NC+ high-dose Wu-Mei-Wan group, and colon length was shorter than NC-LV+NC+high-dose Wu-Mei-Wan group (P<0.05). Conclusion： Wu-Mei-Wan improves colonic mucosal inflammation and pyroptosis in UC rats by inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Accumulating evidence indicated that necroptosis plays an essential role in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The O-linked β-N-acetylglucosaminylation (O-GlcNAcylation) of necroptotic signal molecule receptor-interacting serine-threonine kinase 3 (RIPK3) was reported to exert a protective effect in gut inflammation. Our recent study suggested traditional Chinese herbal formula Wu-Mei-Wan (WMW) as an effective prescription in mouse colitis. However, the potential mechanisms are not fully understood. Considering the crucial role of necroptosis in the pathogenesis of IBD, therefore, this study was designed to explain whether the anti-colitis effect of WMW is mediated by modulating necroptosis and its related mechanisms. Methods The protective effects of WMW on colitis have been determined by detecting colitis mice body weight, disease activity index (DAI), survival rate and colon length. Colonic inflammation was examined by inflammatory cells infiltration and local cytokines levels. After then, we measured the levels of necroptosis and O-GlcNAcylation. C O-immunoprecipitation experiments were used to address whether elevated O-GlcNAcylation can inhibit necroptotic signal transduction in the treatment of WMW. Finally, the key enzymes in O-GlcNAcylation: O-GlcNAc transferase (OGT) and O-GlcNAcase (OGA) were examined and molecular docking analysis was used to determine effective natural compounds in the regulation on OGT and OGA activities. Results Our results showed that WMW significantly improved mice body weight, survival rate and colon length, decreased DAI in TNBS-induced colitis. WMW obviously alleviated colonic inflammatory responses with reduced macrophages, neutrophils infiltration and local IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α and IFN-γ levels. It was found that WMW increased colonic O-GlcNAcylation level and inhibited the activation of RIPK1, RIPK3 and MLKL. Then, further experiments revealed that WMW enhanced OGT activity and suppressed OGA activity, thereby increasing RIPK3 O-GlcNAcylation and inhibiting the binding of RIPK3 and MLKL, which led to the inhibition of necroptosis. Additionally, docking analysis demonstrated that hesperidin, coptisine and ginsenoside Rb1 may exert a major role in the regulation on OGT and OGA activities by WMW. Conclusion Our work demonstrated that WMW can alleviate TNBS-induced colitis in mice by inhibiting necroptosis through increasing RIPK3 O-GlcNAcylation.

Background: Accumulating evidence indicated that necroptosis plays an essential role in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The O-linked β-N-acetylglucosaminylation (O-GlcNAcylation) of necroptotic signal molecule receptor-interacting serine-threonine kinase 3 (RIPK3) was reported to exert a protective effect in gut inflammation. Our recent study suggested traditional Chinese herbal formula Wu-Mei-Wan (WMW) as an effective prescription in mouse colitis. However, the potential mechanisms are not fully understood. Considering the crucial role of necroptosis in the pathogenesis of IBD, therefore, this study was designed to explain whether the anti-colitis effect of WMW is mediated by modulating necroptosis and its related mechanisms. Methods: The protective effects of WMW on colitis have been determined by detecting colitis mice body weight, disease activity index (DAI), survival rate and colon length. Colonic inflammation was examined by inflammatory cells infiltration and local cytokines levels. After then, we measured the levels of necroptosis and O-GlcNAcylation. C O-immunoprecipitation experiments were used to address whether elevated O-GlcNAcylation can inhibit necroptotic signal transduction in the treatment of WMW. Finally, the key enzymes in O-GlcNAcylation: O-GlcNAc transferase (OGT) and O-GlcNAcase (OGA) were examined and molecular docking analysis was used to determine effective natural compounds in the regulation on OGT and OGA activities. Results: Our results showed that WMW significantly improved mice body weight, survival rate and colon length, decreased DAI in TNBS-induced colitis. WMW obviously alleviated colonic inflammatory responses with reduced macrophages, neutrophils infiltration and local IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α and IFN-γ levels. It was found that WMW increased colonic O-GlcNAcylation level and inhibited the activation of RIPK1, RIPK3 and MLKL. Then, further experiments revealed that WMW enhanced OGT activity and suppressed OGA activity, thereby increasing RIPK3 O-GlcNAcylation and inhibiting the binding of RIPK3 and MLKL, which led to the inhibition of necroptosis. Additionally, docking analysis demonstrated that hesperidin, coptisine and ginsenoside Rb1 may exert a major role in the regulation on OGT and OGA activities by WMW. Conclusion: Our work demonstrated that WMW can alleviate TNBS-induced colitis in mice by inhibiting necroptosis through increasing RIPK3 O-GlcNAcylation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Wu-Mei-Wan (WMW) is a traditional Chinese herbal formulation that is clinically prescribed to treat diabetes mellitus in China. WMW has been shown to alleviate damage in pancreatic β cells, but the underlying mechanism remains unclear. This study aims to explore how WMW plays a protective role in pancreatic islets. Methods Drug testing and mechanism analyses were performed on mice treated with three concentrations of WMW (4800, 9600, and 19,200 mg/kg/bw) for four consecutive weeks. Blood was collected from both db/db and wild-type mice to determine fasting blood glucose (FBG) and serum insulin levels. The expression of proteins related to apoptosis, cysteinyl aspartate-specific proteinase 12 (caspase-12) and B-cell leukemia 2 (Bcl-2), was measured by western blot. Interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-18 (IL-18), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1α (MCP-1α), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in the pancreas were tested with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Immunohistochemistry staining of F4/80 was performed to measure the pancreatic infiltration of macrophages. Western blot and immunofluorescence staining of the NLRP3 inflammasome were used to measure the expression of proteins related to apoptosis and inflammation. Results WMW dose-dependently reduced FBG and promoted serum insulin secretion in db/db mice compared to the wild-type controls. WMW protected pancreatic β cells with a pattern of decreasing caspase-12 and increasing Bcl-2 expression. WMW also reversed the upregulated production of IL-1β, IL-18, MCP-1α, and macrophage-specific surface glycoprotein F4/80 in diabetic mice. In addition, the protein expression levels of NLRP3 inflammasome components NLRP3, ASC, and caspase-1 (P20) were higher in db/db mice than in wild-type controls. Conclusions WMW inhibits the activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome to protect pancreatic β cells and prevent type 2 diabetes mellitus development.

Background: Wu-Mei-Wan (WMW) is a traditional Chinese herbal formulation that is clinically prescribed to treat diabetes mellitus in China. WMW has been shown to alleviate damage in pancreatic β cells, but the underlying mechanism remains unclear. This study aims to explore how WMW plays a protective role in pancreatic islets. Methods: Drug testing and mechanism analyses were performed on mice treated with three concentrations of WMW (4800, 9600, and 19,200 mg/kg/bw) for four consecutive weeks. Blood was collected from both db/db and wild-type mice to determine fasting blood glucose (FBG) and serum insulin levels. The expression of proteins related to apoptosis, cysteinyl aspartate-specific proteinase 12 (caspase-12) and B-cell leukemia 2 (Bcl-2), was measured by western blot. Interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-18 (IL-18), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1α (MCP-1α), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in the pancreas were tested with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Immunohistochemistry staining of F4/80 was performed to measure the pancreatic infiltration of macrophages. Western blot and immunofluorescence staining of the NLRP3 inflammasome were used to measure the expression of proteins related to apoptosis and inflammation. Results: WMW dose-dependently reduced FBG and promoted serum insulin secretion in db/db mice compared to the wild-type controls. WMW protected pancreatic β cells with a pattern of decreasing caspase-12 and increasing Bcl-2 expression. WMW also reversed the upregulated production of IL-1β, IL-18, MCP-1α, and macrophage-specific surface glycoprotein F4/80 in diabetic mice. In addition, the protein expression levels of NLRP3 inflammasome components NLRP3, ASC, and caspase-1 (P20) were higher in db/db mice than in wild-type controls. Conclusions: WMW inhibits the activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome to protect pancreatic β cells and prevent type 2 diabetes mellitus development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Wu-Mei-Wan (WMW), a traditional Chinese medicine, has been applied in the treatment of gastrointestinal diseases with long-term diarrhea and mucopurulent bloody stool as the main symptoms since ancient times. Studies have shown that WMW inhibits intestinal inflammation, repairs damaged intestinal mucosa, resists colon necrosis, and resists intestinal fibrosis. However, the specific mechanism of action is not yet clear.Objective: Ulcerative colitis (UC), an intestinal disease with intestinal inflammation and injury as the main pathological manifestations, is one of the high-risk factors for colon cancer. Inhibiting the inflammatory response and promoting colonic epithelial repair are critical to the treatment of UC. However, there is still a lack of remedies with satisfactory curative effects. In this study, the role of WMW in dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis in mice and its related mechanisms are discussed from two aspects: intestinal inflammation and tissue repair.Methods: DSS was used to induce colitis in mice and the therapeutic effect of WMW was analyzed by disease activity score, histopathological score, colon length measurement, serum cytokine detection, and flow cytometry. Macrophage activation and colonic stem cell proliferation were observed by immunohistochemistry. The expression of critical molecules in macrophage activation and colonic stem cell proliferation signaling pathways in colon tissue was detected with immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence staining, RT-qPCR, and Western blot.Results: WMW could significantly alleviate DSS-induced colitis. We showed that WMW could reduce disease activity, reduce pathological scores, limit weight loss, inhibit colon shortening, inhibit inflammatory factor secretion, attenuate inflammatory response, and promote the repair of damaged colonic epithelium. WMW inhibited the activation of colonic macrophages, and its mechanism might be inhibiting the Notch/NF-κB/NLRP3 pathway; WMW promoted the proliferation of colonic stem cells, and its mechanism was associated with the regulation of the Hippo/YAP signaling pathway.Conclusion: The results of this study suggested that WMW could treat UC via a mechanism that inhibited the intestinal inflammatory response and repaired damaged intestinal mucosa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Wu-Mei-Wan (WMW), a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formula, has a good effect on the treatment of obesity and has been proven helpful to promote the metabolism of adipose tissue. However, its underlying mechanism remains to be studied. This study aims to explore the potential pharmacological mechanism of WMW in the treatment of obesity., Methods: Network pharmacology was used to sort out the relationship between WMW putative targets and obesity-related drug targets or disease targets, which indicated the mechanism of WMW in treating obesity from two aspects of clinical drugs approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and obesity-related diseases. Databases such as Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology (TCMSP), PubChem, DrugBank, DisGeNET, and Genecards were used to collect information about targets. String platform was used to convert the data into gene symbol of "homo sapiens", and perform gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses. With the Human Protein Reference Database (HPRD) as background data, Cytoscape 3.6.0 software was used to construct a new protein-protein interaction (PPI) network. Mechanism diagrams of key pathways were obtained from the KEGG database. AutoDock Vina software was used to conduct molecular docking verification., Results: The number of targets in the overlap between WMW putative targets and obesity-related drug targets accounted for more than 50% of the latter, and HTR3A, SLC6A4, and CYP3A4 were core targets. In obesity-related disease targets-WMW putative targets PPI network, the Th17 cell differentiation pathway, and the IL-17 signaling pathway were key pathways, and the 1st module and the 7th module were central function modules that were highly associated with immunity and inflammation. Molecular docking verified that STAT3, TGFB1, MMP9, AHR, IL1B, and CCL2 were core targets in the treatment of WMW on obesity., Conclusion: WMW has similar effects on lipid and drug metabolism as the current obesity-related drugs, and is likely to treat obesity by inhibiting Th17 cell differentiation and alleviating metabolic inflammation., (Copyright© Bentham Science Publishers; For any queries, please email at epub@benthamscience.net.)

Background: Wu-Mei-Wan, a classic traditional Chinese herb medicine, is one of the most important formulations to treat digestive diseases from ancient times to the present. Our previous study showed that WMW treatment can prevent T2DM in db/db mice, which motivating the application of WMW on metabolic disorders.Purpose: Obesity and its comorbid diseases have increased dramatically and are now a worldwide health problem. There is still a lack of satisfactory treatment strategies for obesity. This work was designed to assess the effect and related mechanism of WMW on high fat diet (HFD)-induced obese mice model.Methods: Obese mice were induced by HFD. Thetherapeutic effect of WMW were analyzed by examining body and adipose tissue weight, metabolic profile and energy expenditure. Adipose tissue phenotype was determined by histological staining and the mitochondrial content was examined by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Immunohistochemical and immunofluorescence staining, RT-qPCR and Western blot analysis were used to evaluate expression of key molecules in adipose tissue.Results: WMW treatment significantly protects HFD-induced obesity. Here we showed that WMW limits weight gain, improves metabolic profile and increases energy expenditure. WMW inhibits the hypertrophy and hyperplasia of white adipocytes, the mechanism involving the inhibition of TLR3/IL-6/JAK1/STAT3 pathway. In brown adipose tissue (BAT), WMW promotes thermogenicprogramme without affecting cell proliferation. The activated BMP7/ Smad1/5/9 pathway is considered to be one of the explanations for the effect of WMW on BAT.Conclusion: Our results suggested that WMW can prevent obesity and its underlying mechanisms are associated with reducing white adipose tissue and enhancing brown adipose tissue function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wu-Mei-Wan (WMW), a classic traditional Chinese herb medicine, is one of the most important formulations to treat digestive diseases from ancient times to the present. Previous study showed that WMW has satisfactory curative effects on experimental colitis, which motivating the application of WMW on colitis-associated complications. Intestinal fibrosis is usually considered to be a common complication of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), particularly Crohn's disease (CD). Currently, no effective preventive measures or medical therapies are available for that. This work was designed to evaluate the effect and related mechanism of WMW on chronic colitis-associated intestinal fibrosis mice model. The chronic colitis-associated intestinal fibrosis mice model was established by weekly intrarectal injection of 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS). The mice survival rate, disease activity index (DAI), colon length and histological score were examined to assess the therapeutic effect of WMW. Masson's trichrome staining, hydroxyproline assay, immunohistochemical staining and western blot analysis were used to evaluate fibrosis level. Colon inflammation was determined by ELISA and immunofluorescence staining. Immunofluorescence staining was used to evaluate fibroblasts proliferation and epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT), and the expression of key molecules in fibrosis was analyzed by western blot. Here we showed that WMW alleviates chronic colitis with improved survival rate, DAI, colon length and histological score. WMW inhibited the progression of intestinal fibrosis, decreased the expression of various fibrosis markers, such as α-SMA, collagen I, MMP-9 and fibronectin. In addition, WMW treatment reduced cytokines IL-6 and IFN-γ, and downregulated proinflammatory NF-κBp65 and STAT3 signaling pathways. Importantly, administration of WMW led to the inhibition of colon fibroblast proliferation and EMT, which are important mediators during fibrosis. Several key profibrotic pathways, including TGF-β/Smad and Wnt/β-catenin pathways, were downregulated by WMW treatment. Our work demonstrated that WMW can prevent intestinal fibrosis and the mechanisms involved may be related to the inhibition of colon fibroblasts activation. Image 1 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]