Quantitative analysis of drug–drug interactions among active components of Xuebijing in inhibiting LPS-induced TLR4 signaling and NO production
Abstract Despite the long history of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) in disease treatment, the underlying “Jun–Chen–Zuo–Shi” principle remains largely unexplored. To address this gap, it is essential to elucidate the interactions between active substances in TCM through quantitative molecular and...
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Nature Portfolio
2025-04-01
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| Series: | Scientific Reports |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-95994-9 |
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| author | Tianshu Zhang Hongyuan Li Cong Lin Xiaohui Wang |
| author_facet | Tianshu Zhang Hongyuan Li Cong Lin Xiaohui Wang |
| author_sort | Tianshu Zhang |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Despite the long history of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) in disease treatment, the underlying “Jun–Chen–Zuo–Shi” principle remains largely unexplored. To address this gap, it is essential to elucidate the interactions between active substances in TCM through quantitative molecular and cellular pharmacology. The Chou–Talalay method is particularly effective for investigating drug combinations, making it highly relevant for TCM formulas. This study employed the Chou–Talalay method to explore the drug–drug interactions in Xuebijing (XBJ), a TCM formula used for treating sepsis. The aim was to elucidate the “Jun–Chen–Zuo–Shi” principle by investigating the interactions of the main active substances in XBJ: danshensu and salvianolic acid B (from Radix Salviae Miltiorrhizae), senkyunolide A (from Rhizoma Chuanxiong), ligustilide (from Radix Angelicae Sinensis), safflower yellow and hydroxysafflor yellow A (from Flos Carthami), and paeoniflorin (from Radix Paeoniae Rubra). We quantitatively analyzed their TLR4 antagonistic activities and used the combination index (CI) to quantify their interactions, revealing synergism (CI < 1), additive effects (CI = 1), and antagonism (CI > 1). The results show these agents inhibit nitric oxide (NO) production, with some combinations demonstrating synergistic effects at certain concentrations, while others present antagonistic effects. Understanding these interactions provides a scientific foundation for optimizing TCM formulations, enhancing quality control, efficacy, and safety. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-d96d32bd135e4b65804b6be52c3bb563 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2045-2322 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-04-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
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| spelling | doaj-art-d96d32bd135e4b65804b6be52c3bb5632025-08-20T03:04:59ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-04-0115111010.1038/s41598-025-95994-9Quantitative analysis of drug–drug interactions among active components of Xuebijing in inhibiting LPS-induced TLR4 signaling and NO productionTianshu Zhang0Hongyuan Li1Cong Lin2Xiaohui Wang3School of Applied Chemistry and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of ChinaLaboratory of Chemical Biology, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of SciencesLaboratory of Chemical Biology, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of SciencesSchool of Applied Chemistry and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of ChinaAbstract Despite the long history of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) in disease treatment, the underlying “Jun–Chen–Zuo–Shi” principle remains largely unexplored. To address this gap, it is essential to elucidate the interactions between active substances in TCM through quantitative molecular and cellular pharmacology. The Chou–Talalay method is particularly effective for investigating drug combinations, making it highly relevant for TCM formulas. This study employed the Chou–Talalay method to explore the drug–drug interactions in Xuebijing (XBJ), a TCM formula used for treating sepsis. The aim was to elucidate the “Jun–Chen–Zuo–Shi” principle by investigating the interactions of the main active substances in XBJ: danshensu and salvianolic acid B (from Radix Salviae Miltiorrhizae), senkyunolide A (from Rhizoma Chuanxiong), ligustilide (from Radix Angelicae Sinensis), safflower yellow and hydroxysafflor yellow A (from Flos Carthami), and paeoniflorin (from Radix Paeoniae Rubra). We quantitatively analyzed their TLR4 antagonistic activities and used the combination index (CI) to quantify their interactions, revealing synergism (CI < 1), additive effects (CI = 1), and antagonism (CI > 1). The results show these agents inhibit nitric oxide (NO) production, with some combinations demonstrating synergistic effects at certain concentrations, while others present antagonistic effects. Understanding these interactions provides a scientific foundation for optimizing TCM formulations, enhancing quality control, efficacy, and safety.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-95994-9XuebijingTraditional Chinese medicineToll-like receptor 4Chou–Talalay methodDrug combinationNitric oxide |
| spellingShingle | Tianshu Zhang Hongyuan Li Cong Lin Xiaohui Wang Quantitative analysis of drug–drug interactions among active components of Xuebijing in inhibiting LPS-induced TLR4 signaling and NO production Scientific Reports Xuebijing Traditional Chinese medicine Toll-like receptor 4 Chou–Talalay method Drug combination Nitric oxide |
| title | Quantitative analysis of drug–drug interactions among active components of Xuebijing in inhibiting LPS-induced TLR4 signaling and NO production |
| title_full | Quantitative analysis of drug–drug interactions among active components of Xuebijing in inhibiting LPS-induced TLR4 signaling and NO production |
| title_fullStr | Quantitative analysis of drug–drug interactions among active components of Xuebijing in inhibiting LPS-induced TLR4 signaling and NO production |
| title_full_unstemmed | Quantitative analysis of drug–drug interactions among active components of Xuebijing in inhibiting LPS-induced TLR4 signaling and NO production |
| title_short | Quantitative analysis of drug–drug interactions among active components of Xuebijing in inhibiting LPS-induced TLR4 signaling and NO production |
| title_sort | quantitative analysis of drug drug interactions among active components of xuebijing in inhibiting lps induced tlr4 signaling and no production |
| topic | Xuebijing Traditional Chinese medicine Toll-like receptor 4 Chou–Talalay method Drug combination Nitric oxide |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-95994-9 |
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