Da-Huang-Xiao-Shi decoction protects against3, 5-diethoxycarbonyl-1,4-dihydroxychollidine-induced chronic cholestasis by upregulating bile acid metabolic enzymes and efflux transporters

J Ethnopharmacol. 2021 Apr 6:269:113706. doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2020.113706. Epub 2020 Dec 18.

Abstract

Ethnopharmacological relevance: Chronic cholestasis is a usual clinical pathological process in hepatopathy and has few treatment options; it is classified under the category of jaundice in Chinese medicine. Da-Huang-Xiao-Shi decoction (DHXSD) is a classic Chinese prescription which is used to treat jaundice.

Aim of the study: We aimed to examine the protective effect of DHXSD on liver and its potential mechanism of action against chronic cholestasis.

Materials and methods: Chronic cholestasis was induced using 3, 5-diethoxycarbonyl-1,4-dihydroxychollidine (DDC) in mice. Mice were then administered DHXSD intragastrically at doses of 3.68, 7.35, and 14.70 g/kg for four weeks followed by further analyses. Serum biochemical indices and liver pathology were explored. Eighteen individual bile acids (BAs) in mice serum and liver were quantified using ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS). The expression of BA related metabolic enzymes, transporters, along with nuclear receptor farnesoid X receptor (FXR) was detected by real-time qPCR and Western blot.

Results: DHXSD treatment reduced the serum biochemical indices, ameliorated pathological injury, and improved the disordered BA homeostasis. Mice treated with DHXSD showed significantly upregulated expression of the metabolic enzymes, cytochrome P450 2b10 (Cyp2b10), Cyp3a11, and UDP-glucuronosyltransferase 1a1 (Ugt1a1); and the bile acid transporters, multidrug resistance protein 2 (Mdr2), bile salt export pump (Bsep), and multidrug resistance-associated protein 3 (Mrp3). DHXSD treatment also significantly upregulated FXR expression in mice with DDC-induced chronic cholestasis.

Conclusions: DHXSD exerted protective effects on chronic cholestasis in DDC-treated mice by alleviating the disordered homeostasis of BAs through increased expression of BA related metabolic enzymes and efflux transporters.

Keywords: 3, 5-diethoxycarbonyl-1,4-dihydroxychollidine; Bile acids; Chronic cholestasis; Da-Huang-Xiao-Shi decoction; Farnesoid X receptor; Metabolic enzymes; Transporters.

MeSH terms

  • ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B / genetics
  • ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B / metabolism
  • ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Member 11 / genetics
  • ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Member 11 / metabolism
  • ATP-Binding Cassette Sub-Family B Member 4
  • Angiogenic Proteins / genetics
  • Angiogenic Proteins / metabolism
  • Animals
  • Bile Acids and Salts / analysis
  • Bile Acids and Salts / chemistry
  • Bile Acids and Salts / metabolism*
  • Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury / drug therapy
  • Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury / pathology
  • Cholestasis / chemically induced
  • Cholestasis / drug therapy*
  • Chromatography, Liquid
  • Chronic Disease / drug therapy
  • Drugs, Chinese Herbal / pharmacology*
  • Drugs, Chinese Herbal / therapeutic use
  • Enzymes / genetics*
  • Enzymes / metabolism
  • Ethnopharmacology
  • Homeostasis / drug effects
  • Liver / drug effects
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Protective Agents / pharmacology*
  • Protective Agents / therapeutic use
  • Pyridines / toxicity
  • Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear / genetics
  • Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear / metabolism
  • Tandem Mass Spectrometry
  • Up-Regulation / drug effects

Substances

  • 3,5-diethoxycarbonyl-1,4-dihydrocollidine
  • ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B
  • ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Member 11
  • Angiogenic Proteins
  • Bile Acids and Salts
  • Da-Huang-Xiao-Shi decoction
  • Drugs, Chinese Herbal
  • Enzymes
  • Protective Agents
  • Pyridines
  • Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear
  • mitogen-regulated protein 3, mouse
  • nuclear receptor subfamily 0, group B, member 2
  • farnesoid X-activated receptor