Ferulic Acid Orchestrates Anti-Oxidative Properties of Danggui Buxue Tang, an Ancient Herbal Decoction: Elucidation by Chemical Knock-Out Approach

Abstract

Ferulic acid, a phenolic acid derived mainly from a Chinese herb Angelica Sinensis Radix (ASR), was reported to reduce the formation of free radicals. Danggui Buxue Tang (DBT), a herbal decoction composing of Astragali Radix (AR) and ASR, has been utilized for more than 800 years in China having known anti-oxidative property. Ferulic acid is a major active ingredient in DBT; however, the role of ferulic acid within the herbal mixture has not been resolved. In order to elucidate the function of ferulic acid within this herbal decoction, a ferulic acid-depleted herbal decoction was created and named as DBTΔfa. The anti-oxidative properties of chemically modified DBT decoction were systemically compared in cultured H9C2 rat cardiomyoblast cell line. The application of DBT and DBTΔfa into the cultures showed functions in (i) decreasing the reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation, detected by laser confocal; (ii) increasing of the activation of Akt; (iii) increasing the transcriptional activity of anti-oxidant response element (ARE); and (iv) increasing the expressions of anti-oxidant enzymes, i.e. NQO1 and GCLM. In all scenario, the aforementioned anti-oxidative properties of DBTΔfa in H9C2 cells were significantly reduced, as compared to authentic DBT. Thus, ferulic acid could be an indispensable chemical in DBT to orchestrate multi-components of DBT as to achieve maximal anti-oxidative functions.

Calycosin Orchestrates Osteogenesis of Danggui Buxue Tang in Cultured Osteoblasts: Evaluating the Mechanism of Action by Omics and Chemical Knock-out Methodologies

“…Steroid hormone, especially estrogen, is well-known for ERT in the treatment of osteoporosis ( Choi et al, 2011 ). The side effects of ERT have been reported to increase the risk of developing breast cancer ( Gong et al, 2016 ). Phytoestrogens are now popular for patients with better safety.…”

“…To prepare DBT Δcal and DBT Δfa , a Dikma, Diamonsil C18 column (10.0 mm × 250 mm, 5 μm) was used to deplete calycosin or ferulic acid from DBT. The depletion methods and conditions were described previously ( Gong et al, 2015 , 2016 ). The authentications of DBT Δcal and DBT Δfa were revealed by LC–MS/MS ( Gong et al, 2015 , 2016 ).…”

“…The depletion methods and conditions were described previously ( Gong et al, 2015 , 2016 ). The authentications of DBT Δcal and DBT Δfa were revealed by LC–MS/MS ( Gong et al, 2015 , 2016 ). All the samples, collected by chemical-depletion method, were lyophilized and re-dissolved in water for biological test and analytic measurement.…”

“…Calycosin, a major chemical in AR, as well as in DBT, showed abilities to suppress the RANKL-mediated osteoclastogenesis in cultured bone marrow macrophages ( Quan et al, 2015 ). Ferulic acid, the most abundant bioactive chemical found in ASR, is one of promising natural chemicals within DBT to suppress r eactive o xygen s pecies (ROS) formation ( Gong et al, 2015 , 2016 ). Both calycosin and ferulic acid were selected to be the targets to perform specific chemical knock-out from DBT.…”

Ferulic acid alleviates symptoms of preeclampsia in rats by upregulating vascular endothelial growth factor

“…Ferulic acid (FA) is a hydroxycinnamic acid found in plant cells, and may protect cell integrity by catalyzing formation of phenoxy radicals . FA is believed to be an active ingredient of Chinese herbal medicine Angelica Sinensis Radix , and its derivatives have been widely applied food, and medicine . Particularly interesting to our current study, FA was consistently reported to induce expression of VEGF in HUVECs .…”