Background: The root of Tripterygium wilfordii (Tripterygii radix), a natural powerful traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for various diseases treatment, has been used for centuries in the Asian countries as anti-rheumatoid arthritis (RA) agent, antioxidant agent, and anti-inflammatory agent. Its combination with other herbs in treating RA has been explored. The anti-RA effect of T. wilfordii for cancer treatment has been supported by some evidence. Aims and Objectives: To investigate the anticancer mechanism of T. wilfordii, bioinformatics databases were used to identify its active ingredients. Materials and Methods: Target proteins associated with cancer were determined using a network pharmacology analysis platform, and 25 key active compounds and 55 key targets of T. wilfordii were identified in our study. A common potential mechanism of T. wilfordii involvement in cancer was disclosed by in-depth network analysis of diseases, functions, and pathways. Finally, the analysis results of the TCM-disease target protein interaction network revealed 5 potential targets; subsequently, a total of 30 targets (these 5 targets, as well as 25 previously identified compounds) were subjected to molecular docking. Results: Our results showed that the therapeutic effect of T. wilfordii in cancer is characterized by multiple components, targets, and pathways. The regulation of signaling pathways such as Kaposi sarcoma-associated herpes virus infection, colorectal cancer, small-cell lung cancer, and prostate cancer may be the important pharmacodynamic basis of anticancer therapy. Conclusion: Triptonoditerpenic acid inhibited proliferation and induced apoptosis in SW480 cells. The mechanism may be related to the downregulation of Bcl-2 expression, upregulation of Bax mRNA expression, and expression inhibition of PTGS2.

Background: Inflammation and oxidation stress are key factors in the mechanism of acute lung injury (ALI). Therefore, suppression of the inflammatory response and oxidative stress could be a potential strategy to treat lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced ALI. Ginsenoside Rd (Rd), a natural Ginseng extract, alleviates inflammation and oxidative stress in several diseases such as Alzheimer's disease and cerebral ischemia, but its effect on ALI is still unclear. Aims and Objectives: To explore the protective effect of Rd on LPS-induced ALI and explored associated mechanisms. Materials and Methods: Mice were divided into five groups: A sham-operated group, a LPS-induced ALI group, and three LPS groups pretreated with Rd doses of 20, 40, and 80 mg/kg, respectively. The pathological changes of lung, collagen deposition, pulmonary edema, inflammatory cytokine, oxidative stress and the expression levels of TLR4 and NF-κB were detected. Results: The oral administration of Rd dose dependently attenuated histopathologic changes in the lung, lung edema, pulmonary collagen deposition, protein concentration in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, and inflammatory cell infiltration. In addition, Rd suppressed the LPS-induced inflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin (IL)-6, and IL-1 β in BALF. The productions of oxidative stress-related enzymes (catalase, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione peroxidase) in lung tissue were significantly upregulated by Rd administration. However, malondialdehyde and pulmonary MPO activity was reduced in the Rd-pretreated groups when compared with LPS-induced ALI group. Rd treatment also dose dependently suppressed LPS-induced NF-κB activation and TLR4 expression. Conclusion: Overall, these findings provide evidence that Rd pretreatment inhibits LPS-induced ALI through anti-inflammatory and antioxidative actions, suggesting that it could be a promising protective drug for LPS-induced ALI.

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