Study on the mechanism of Yupingfeng powder in the treatment of immunosuppression based on UPLC⁃QTOF⁃MS, network pharmacology and molecular biology verification

Yuhua Li; Yongsheng Liu; Yang Sun; Shumei Ma; Chunmei Ma; Huiping Zhou; Gui'e Chen; Li Liu; De Cai

doi:10.1016/j.lfs.2021.120211

Study on the mechanism of Yupingfeng powder in the treatment of immunosuppression based on UPLC⁃QTOF⁃MS, network pharmacology and molecular biology verification

Life Sci. 2022 Jan 15:289:120211. doi: 10.1016/j.lfs.2021.120211. Epub 2021 Dec 5.

Authors

Yuhua Li¹, Yongsheng Liu², Yang Sun², Shumei Ma³, Chunmei Ma³, Huiping Zhou⁴, Gui'e Chen⁴, Li Liu⁵, De Cai⁶

Affiliations

¹ Department of Pharmacy, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang 524001, Guangdong, PR China; Department of Pharmacy, the First Naval Force Hospital of Southern Theatre Command, Zhanjiang 524005, Guangdong, PR China.
² Key Laboratory of Gastrointestinal Pharmacology of Chinese Materia Medica of the State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, the Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an 710032, Shaanxi, PR China.
³ State Key Laboratory of New Drug and Pharmaceutical Process, Shanghai Institute of Pharmaceutical Industry, China State Institute of Pharmaceutical Industry, Shanghai 200437, PR China; Shanghai Professional and Technical Service Center for Biological Material Drug-ability Evaluation, Shanghai 200437, PR China.
⁴ Department of Pharmacy, the First Naval Force Hospital of Southern Theatre Command, Zhanjiang 524005, Guangdong, PR China.
⁵ State Key Laboratory of New Drug and Pharmaceutical Process, Shanghai Institute of Pharmaceutical Industry, China State Institute of Pharmaceutical Industry, Shanghai 200437, PR China; Shanghai Professional and Technical Service Center for Biological Material Drug-ability Evaluation, Shanghai 200437, PR China. Electronic address: liliu40@live.cn.
⁶ Department of Pharmacy, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang 524001, Guangdong, PR China. Electronic address: caide2021@163.com.

PMID: 34875251
DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2021.120211

Abstract

Aims: The current study aims to investigate the effect of Yupingfeng (YPF) powder on immunosuppression, and explore the possible mechanisms.

Main methods: Firstly, the monomer components of YPF powder were analyzed by UPLC-QTOF-MS combined with UNIFI automatic analysis platform, then the mechanism of YPF on immunosuppressive treatment was investigated using network pharmacological method, and finally the prediction was verified in a Candida albicans (Can)-induced immunosuppressive BALB/c mouse model.

Key findings: 98 monomer compounds in YPF were obtained. Through virtual analysis and screening on the oral utilization and drug likeness properties of the components, 47 effective components were got. 9 core targets obtained were enriched in IL-17 signaling pathway. In the mouse model, YPF could reduce the number of Can and alleviate Can-induced inflammation in the kidney effectively, upregulate Can-induced low proportion of CD4⁺/CD8⁺ of splenic lymphocytes, and increase Can-induced low activity of IL-17 pathway.

Significance: These results demonstrate that YPF could improve the immunity of Can-induced immunosuppression in BALB/c mice through upregulating the activity of IL-17 pathway.

Keywords: Candida albicans (Can); Immune suppression; Network pharmacology; UPLC-QTOF-MS; Yupingfeng (YPF).

MeSH terms

Animals
Candida albicans / immunology*
Candidiasis* / drug therapy
Candidiasis* / immunology
Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid
Disease Models, Animal
Drug Evaluation
Drugs, Chinese Herbal* / pharmacokinetics
Drugs, Chinese Herbal* / pharmacology
Immune Tolerance / drug effects*
Male
Mass Spectrometry
Mice
Mice, Inbred BALB C
Powders

Substances

Drugs, Chinese Herbal
Powders
yupingfeng