Compatibility effects of herb pair Phellodendri chinensis cortex and Anemarrhenae rhizoma on benign prostatic hyperplasia using targeted metabolomics

Abstract

Phellodendri chinensis cortex (P. C. cortex) and Anemarrhenae rhizoma (A. rhizoma) herb pair is a core component of traditional Chinese medicines used to treat inflammation and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). The present study was designed to profile the arachidonic acid (AA) metabolomic characteristics in rat plasma and prostate after being treated with P. C. cortex and A. rhizoma as well as their combination. Plasma and prostate samples from sham group, BPH model group, herb pair group and two single herb groups were collected on days 7, 14, 21 and 28. Then, a systemic metabolomic analysis based on UFLC-MS/MS was employed to quantify AA and its cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenase pathway metabolites (15-HETE, 12-HETE, 5-HETE, AA, PGI , PGF , 8-HETE, PGD , PGE and LTB ). The results demonstrated that BPH led a significant increase of 10 biomarkers in plasma and tissue (p < 0.05). The clusters of herb pair group and single herb groups showed a tendency to return to the initial space, and the AA and its metabolites from those groups were differently downregulated to a healthier level, with the combination of single herbs most obvious. The present study demonstrated that P. C. cortex-A. rhizoma herb pair might produce synergistic or complementary compatibility effects on suppressing inflammatory processes occurring in BPH.

AR/PCC herb pair inhibits osteoblast pyroptosis to alleviate diabetes‐related osteoporosis by activating Nrf2/Keap1 pathway

“…were initially documented in the Secret Record of the Chamber of Orchids. 6 This herb pair, composed of AR and PCC in a specific ratio, is distinguished by its ability to tonify 'kidney' and nourish 'Yin', and has long been implemented in Traditional Chinese Medicine for DM treatment, such as in Zishen pill. 7 Growing evidence indicates that this herb pair exhibits a remarkable therapeutic effect against DOP.…”