Chemical Characterization and Potential Mechanism of the Anti-Asthmatic Activity of a Subfraction from Schisandra chinensis Fruit Extract

Abstract

Schisandra chinensis fruit is a widely edible and medicinal resource, whose extract had a good inhibitory effect on airway inflammation in asthmatic mice. However, the main active components remain unknown. In this work, we found that PET2, a subfraction of its ethanolic extract petroleum ether, displayed significant anti-inflammatory effects in interleukin (IL)-4/tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α-stimulated BEAS-2B cells. Meanwhile, in the ovalbumin (OVA)-induced allergic asthma mice model, PET2 (200 and 400 mg/kg) had significant effects on attenuating airway inflammatory cell infiltration and reducing serum Th2-related cytokines. Further studies led to the isolation and identification of 14 compounds, guided by ultraperformance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF/MS)-based rapid characterization of chemical constituents. Combining network pharmacology analysis and in vitro experiments, we found that six compounds from PET2 had good anti-inflammatory properties. The potential mechanism may be involved in Fc epsilon RI, T cell receptor, and Jak-STAT signaling pathways. This study clarified the anti-inflammatory properties of the main active fraction and active compounds of S. chinensis fruit and provided a theoretical basis for its anti-asthma scientific utilization.

Screening of Q-markers for the wine-steamed Schisandra chinensis decoction pieces in improving allergic asthma

“…the higher the administered dose, the stronger the e cacy in TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-10. These results suggested that Schisandrin, Schisandrol B, Schisandrin A, Schisandrin B, and Gomisin D caused an antiin ammatory effect, combined with previous reports that RSC can treat asthma by anti-in ammatory [21], implying the improvement of the e cacy of WSC was related to the 5 Q-markers.…”

“…In addition, all 5 components exerted the anti-in ammatory effects in a dose-dependent manner, combined with previous reports that RSC and WSC can treat asthma by anti-in ammatory(Fig. 10B) [21], implying that Schisandrol A, Schisandrol B, Schisandrin A, Schisandrin B, and Gomisin D was Q-markers re ecting the e cacy of the decoction pieces.…”

“…The components contained in decoction are the main components of clinical e cacy. Many scholars have conducted a systematic analysis of the chemical components in the ethanol extract of RSC [21,22]. However, it is still unclear what components can be extracted in the decoction and what components can be absorbed into the blood for effect, making it di cult to form a speci c quality evaluation standard for decoction pieces.…”

Anti-asthmatic fraction screening and mechanisms prediction of Schisandrae Sphenantherae Fructus based on a combined approach

“…The mice were given intragastric administration every other day from the 27th day onward, 30 min before the OVA challenge. The dose of administration groups was determined based on our previous research on the anti-asthmatic activity of a subfraction from Schisandra chinensis fruit extract, literature reference, and pre-experiment ( Li et al, 2022 ). At last, the mice were killed on day 49 after overnight fasting, mouse lung tissues were collected for histological examination, and blood samples were collected for Elisa examination.…”

Screening of Q-markers for the wine-steamed Schisandra chinensis decoction pieces in improving allergic asthma

“…The clinical efficacy of a decoction results from the main components of the decoction. Many scholars have conducted systematic analyses of the chemical components in the ethanol extract of RSC [ 16 , 17 ]. However, it is still unclear which components can be extracted from the decoction and which components can be absorbed by blood during treatment, making it difficult to establish a specific quality evaluation standard for decoction pieces.…”